# Wing-tapping Cicadas (*Platypedia*) Wing-tapping cicadas are fun insects that make a loud buzzing sound by vibrating their wings. They are often seen in warm weather, and their songs can fill the air with music during summer days. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Wing-tapping Cicadas](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Platypedia_minor-1.jpg&width=800) Photo: Eugene Zelenko, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Platypedia_minor-1.jpg) ## Appearance The Wing-tapping Cicadas has a robust, dark-colored body, often with subtle pale markings on the thorax. Its large, clear wings feature prominent, dark veins that contrast with the transparent membrane, making them appear somewhat glassy. They have wide-set eyes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Cicadidae - **Genus:** Platypedia ## Interesting facts - Adult cicadas only live for a few weeks, making their buzzing summer song a race against time! - Cicadas have three small simple eyes, called ocelli, between their two big compound eyes! - Some cicadas can live longer underground than many pets live on Earth! - They have special organs on their tummy that vibrate incredibly fast to make their loud songs! ## Special abilities - **Wing Communication:** Wing-tapping Cicadas can tap their wings against surfaces because it creates unique sounds for mating calls and signaling. - **Underground Life Cycle:** Wing-tapping Cicadas has a nymph stage that lives underground for years, helping them safely develop before emerging. - **Sap Sipping Power:** Wing-tapping Cicadas can drink tree sap because they have a special straw-like mouthpart for piercing plants and feeding. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 40-70 mm - **Size:** 20-35 mm - **Lifespan:** 730-1825 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Nymphs drink root sap, while adults sip sap from tree branches and stems. - **Age differences:** Nymphs feed exclusively on root sap underground; adults emerge to feed on sap from above-ground plant parts. - **Primary Foods:** tree sap, root sap, oak sap, pine sap, fir sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Western Scrub-Jay (*Aphelocoma californica*) — Adult cicadas are a seasonal food source for these birds. - **Depends on:** Oregon White Oak (*Quercus garryana*) — Cicada nymphs feed on the roots and adults sip sap from the branches. - **Depends on:** Ponderosa Pine (*Pinus ponderosa*) — Nymphs and adults extract vital nutrients from this tree's sap. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Cicadas are not harmful, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Wing-tapping Cicadas? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Wing-tapping Cicadas's wingspan? 40-70 mm ### How big is Wing-tapping Cicadas? 20-35 mm ### How long does Wing-tapping Cicadas live? 730-1825 days ### How fast can Wing-tapping Cicadas fly? 8 km/h ### What does Wing-tapping Cicadas eat? Nymphs drink root sap, while adults sip sap from tree branches and stems. ### Where is Wing-tapping Cicadas usually found? Urban areas ### How does Wing-tapping Cicadas hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Wing-tapping Cicadas: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wing-tapping-cicadas)