cicadas - insects belonging to the order Proboscidea (Rhynchota), suborder Homoptera (Homoptera).They are ubiquitous, especially in hot climates.Now it is known about 1700 species of songbirds, but in our country can be found only a few of them.Most often comes across mountain cicada (an unfortunate name, because it is alive and well in the lowland forests, up to Kostroma) Dubravnaya and less common - the inhabitants of the southern forests.
All kinds of cicadas have a short head with a highly prominent compound eyes, located on the sides of their heads, and three tiny eyes on the center, forming a triangle.The antennae are short, pyatichlenistye.Abdomen thick, females at the end of the ovipositor is located, and the males - copulatory apparatus.Depending on the species, the wings may be colorless or brightly colored, but transparent.They always have 2 pairs of cicadas.Photo shows well that the back is shorter than the front.
Mouth apparatus consists of a proboscis (modified lip), inside of which are arranged long, sharp bristles (similarity jaws).Last moves freely, but can not be bent, so there is no effort pierces the skin of plants.Cicadas - insects feeding on their sap.No biting, no they are not able to chew.Proboscis, while females also ovipositor, pierce different parts of plants.After these injuries have continued to leak juice, solidifying in the air and is a nutrient, so-called "manna".
Their sizes vary greatly depending on the species.For example, Royal cicadas - insects with a body length of more than 6 cm and a wingspan of up to 18 cm, and the rock type, setting the far north, the size of 2 cm.
distinctive feature is the ability of the males sing.They chirp due cymbals - convex plate on the anterior segment of the abdomen."Roulades" issued mainly in the hottest time of the day is likely to attract females.Indian and South American cicada sounds are emitted, not conceding on volume locomotive whistle.
It's good flying insects.They live in trees and bushes.Lifestyle of all types is similar.Females lay eggs in the leaf stalks or under the bark of the branches.The larvae that emerged from them, fall to the ground and burrow into it.Sometimes deep enough - a meter or more.They have an awkward thickened discolored body with smooth skin firm and strong odnochlenistymi limbs, especially the front, performing the function of digging.They live and feed on the roots of plants, and before you turn into an adult, rise to the surface.The duration of the larval stage depends on the species, have some - 2 years, while others - for 4 years and there are individuals who - up to 17 years.During this time they have several molts.
Harmful if larvae of cicadas trees, It is not yet clear.It is known that ash and linden forests, where they detected a huge number (several hundred), inhibition of the plants have been detected.However, Brazil believes that the cicadas - insects that cause great harm to the coffee plantations.
