We always hear it, but we never see it. Cicadas fill our summer and fall afternoons and evenings with their "singing." How do they make the sound? We caught one of them on video making that very strange sound we're all so familiar with.

How do they make that crazy sound? According to RedOrbit, they're able to do it because of a ribbed membrane and the ability to deform their bodies. Combining those two makes it all possible. The sound is only made by males. They do it to attract females. Female cicadas snap their wings in return. The male cicadas then head their way and the closer they get to a female cicada, the softer the sound they produce. Judging by the trees around my house, there must be a lot of very lonely cicadas.

[via RedOrbit]

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