Cicada
Cicadas are named for the distinctive loud buzzing call made by males to attract mates; the word 'cicada' is Latin and literally means 'buzzer'! The intensity of their singing can be quite impressive: the call of one Australian species has been measured at an astonishing 150 decibels! (For comparison, the average rock concert reaches about 120 dB.)
There are about 2500 species worldwide; although sometimes called 'locusts' they're more closely related to leafhoppers. This one here is about an inch long (2.5 cm), but some tropical species can reach five times that size.
They're harmless to humans, and those I've encountered have been quite docile when handled. I've had them climb onto my fingers and and even buzz while sitting there.
(Science info from Wikipedia)
Cicada
Cicadas are named for the distinctive loud buzzing call made by males to attract mates; the word 'cicada' is Latin and literally means 'buzzer'! The intensity of their singing can be quite impressive: the call of one Australian species has been measured at an astonishing 150 decibels! (For comparison, the average rock concert reaches about 120 dB.)
There are about 2500 species worldwide; although sometimes called 'locusts' they're more closely related to leafhoppers. This one here is about an inch long (2.5 cm), but some tropical species can reach five times that size.
They're harmless to humans, and those I've encountered have been quite docile when handled. I've had them climb onto my fingers and and even buzz while sitting there.
(Science info from Wikipedia)