In this article we will discuss about the structure of Cicada with the help of a diagram.
Fig. 248 CICADA
1. It is commonly known as “cicada or seventeen year locust” and is a terrestrial insect which damages fruit trees.
2. The body is differentiated into head, thorax, and abdomen.
3. Head bears a pair of large compound eyes a pair of small antennae with bristles at the tip and piercing & sucking mouth parts.
4. Thorax bears three pairs of jointed legs and two pairs of wings which are membranous, cross veined and of smooth and uniform texture throughout.
5. Of the wings, the fore wings are large and hind wings small. They are folded over abdomen at rest.
6. Abdomen bears 8-9 segments, of which he last segment is smallest and narrow and the first segment bears two sets of vibrating plates.
7. They are noisy insects which produce loud sounds by rubbing their wings against vibrating plates and with each other.
8. Life cycle takes from 13 to 17 years in metamorphosis from nymph to adult and thus it is called seventeen year locust.
9. Adults feed on fruits and nymphs feed or plant sap from roots of the fruit trees.