Cicadas: Facts and Misconceptions

Cicadas are insects known for their distinct buzzing sounds. They have unique physical traits and spend most of their lives underground as nymphs, feeding on tree roots. When mature, they molt and emerge with wings. Only male cicadas sing, using organs called timbals to attract mates. Cicadas play a crucial role in ecosystems by aerating soil and recycling nutrients. They are often confused with locusts but are harmless to plants. Overall, cicadas are fascinating creatures with a significant ecological impact.

What are cicadas best known for?

• Their nocturnal habits

• Their buzzing or chirping sounds

• Their ability to sting

• Their colorful wings

During which stage do cicadas spend most of their lives underground?

• Egg stage

• Molting stage

• Adult stage

• Nymph stage

What is the process called when cicadas shed their old exoskeleton?

• Hibernation

• Molting

• Metamorphosis

• Migration

Which cicadas are known for singing?

• Male cicadas

• Juvenile cicadas

• All cicadas

• Female cicadas

What is the purpose of the distinct buzzing sound made by male cicadas?

• To communicate with other insects

• To attract mates and deter rivals

• To scare predators

• To signal danger

How do cicadas contribute to their ecosystem while underground?

• By pollinating flowers

• By aerating the soil and recycling nutrients

• By providing shade

• By controlling pest populations

What happens to cicadas when they emerge in large numbers?

• They become a food source for various animals

• They destroy crops

• They migrate to other regions

• They build nests

How are cicadas different from locusts?

• Cicadas are a type of beetle

• Cicadas are nocturnal, locusts are not

• Cicadas rarely harm plants, unlike locusts

• Cicadas can sting, locusts cannot

What type of insect are locusts?

• A type of beetle

• A type of grasshopper

• A type of butterfly

• A type of moth

What is a common misconception about cicadas?

• They are the same as locusts

• They are harmful to humans

• They can fly long distances

• They are active at night