Cicada Terminology

Definition

Cicadas, also known scientifically as Cicadoidea, are any of the approximately 2,500 species of insects belonging to the order Hemiptera and are closely related to leafhoppers and aphids. Cicadas are known for their distinctive songs, which can be very loud and are typically produced by male cicadas to attract mates.

Etymology

"Cicada" is derived from the Greek word "tettix," meaning "grasshopper." The term was first used in English in the 16th century. The scientific name "Cicadoidea" was first proposed by the German entomologist Ernst Friedrich Germar in 1821.