Empress Cicada Facts
- This startling creation of Nature and evolution remains best known by the majestic common name of the Empress Cicada across its range. Yet, the invertebrate does have a few other general titles. These include the terms Imperial Cicada, Giant Cicada, and Emperor Cicada.
- Within the scientific community, however, it’s perhaps better known by its technical designation. Sadly, though, like many such epithets, that’s quite difficult for the layperson to pronounce. That’s because it holds the formal name of Megapomponia imperatoria.
- This biological marvel received that tongue-twisting moniker due to the efforts of John Obadiah Westwood. The respected British entomologist recorded the first recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. He achieved that scientifically noteworthy deed in the year 1842.
- The amazing creature stands out in the annals of science for one very specific reason. To date, it represents the largest known species of cicada. The Arthropod also produces one of the loudest calls among its kind. That generated by males nearly equals the noise of a jet engine.
- Fortunately, the regal Empress Cicada appears to be maintaining a population base that’s both sufficient and stable. This pleasant state also seems to hold true throughout the entirety of its native range. The IUCN therefore does not currently place it on its published Red List.
- The wonder nevertheless still faces numerous potential threats to its continued existence as a species, at least. Like all forms of life on earth today, most of these stem from the actions of man. They include the closely related perils of habitat loss and ongoing climate change.
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Empress Cicada Physical Description
The remarkable Empress Cicada certainly captures the attention of those who encounter it for the first time. This incredible product of evolution typically does so, however, for a wide variety of reasons. That’s true since the creature possesses a broad range of highly distinctive physical traits.
It does share one in common with the majority of life around the world, though. That’s the fact that it displays a certain degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In this particular species, that manifests in several manners, though not usually visually prominently.
Males tend to have a more slender and elongated abdomen than their female counterparts. That’s partially because it houses the tymbal organs and is adapted for sound production. The females, meanwhile, typically develop a somewhat broader and much more rounded abdomen.
Otherwise, the two genders present the same overall appearance to the observer. An average body length equals an astound 3 – 3.5 in (7 – 8 cm). But the wingpan’s even more impressive. This measures a mean width of roughly 8 in (20 cm)! Exceptions do occur, but rarely exceed this greatly.
Those wings develop as transparent and membranous, with a network of veins that give them a slightly rigid structure. The larger of the two pairs, the forewings are long and slender, extending well beyond the body when at rest. Its hindwings have a similar pattern, but remain slightly shorter.
The legs also deserve notice. These evolved as relatively long and spiny, especially the front pair. These serve as an aid in gripping tree bark while it’s feeding or calling. The ends of the legs further developed as equipped with small yet sharp claws that help the cicada cling to plants and trees.
Males have specialized structures on their abdomen called tymbals. These ribbed membranes vibrate to produce its distinctive, loud calls. Nature placed these just below the wings on either side of the abdomen. That of the male’s hollow and amplifies the sound produced by the tymbals.
Yet, it’s the head of the startling Empress Cicada that generally garners the most interest. This holds prominent compound eyes, positioned on the sides of the head, giving it a wide field of vision. The eyes typically show brown or reddish. It also has short, fine antennae, and piercing mouthparts.
The stout, elongated body typically develops as somewhat flattened in shape. This usually shows brown or green in color. Variations in shading also appear. Dark or mottled patterns also show along the body, adding to its camouflage. The thorax occasionally displays intricate patterns or ridges.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hemiptera
- Family: Cicadidae
- Genus: Megapomponia
- Species: M. imperatoria
Empress Cicada Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The captivating Empress Cicada evolved as indigenous to a moderately broad expanse of the earth’s surface. That zone of habitation’s exact location likely won’t surprise anyone, though. That’s because this marvel of Nature developed as native to what’s now known as the continent of Asia.
Within that greater region, though,the Arthropod’s principally present within the area considered to form Southeast Asia. There, it’s mainly found in several clearly distinct sections. Together, peninsular Malaysia and the Borneo island region comprise one of the primary portions of this zone.
It’s also found in southern Thailand and Indonesia, particularly Sumatra. Unconfirmed reports additionally place its presence in sections of several other countries. These include southern Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, though its presence here isn’t very well documented.
It displays decidedly clear preferences regarding its choice of habitat. The insect primarily lives in tropical and subtropical forests. These climates possess the dense vegetation, high biodiversity, and year-round warmth and humidity, which remain essential for the survival of cicadas.
It’s also commonly found in areas of lowland rainforests. These offer the invertebrate a stable environment with plenty of trees for both adults and nymphs. The dense canopy and plant diversity provide protection from predators and ideal conditions for feeding and reproduction.
Yet it thrive in secondary forests, too. These regions comprise forests that eventually regenerated after severe dame, such as by logging or agricultural use. These forests frequently have younger and more diverse vegetation, which still provides a suitable habitat for the intrepid species.
It’s needs don’t stop there, however, The Empress Cicada also requires a humid, warm climate with consistent temperatures throughout the year. It thrives in areas where the average temperature stays warm, and free moisture abounds in the air, making tropical regions especially ideal.
It evolved as a sap-feeder. Nymphs feed on the sap from roots while underground, and their long developmental period, often several years, makes them a consistent part of the ecosystem. Adults feed on tree sap, using their mouthparts to extract nutrients from stems and branches.
After mating, the female lays her eggs. She makes multiple cuts in selected plant tissue and lays clusters of eggs within these slits. This provides the eggs with protection and keeps them hidden from predators until they hatch. She usually selects branches, twigs, or stems of trees and shrubs.
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