Why do cicadas make loud sounds?

Answer: Males attract females

They're calling for food — Wrong. Cicadas don't call for food. They feed on plant sap and don't need to signal for meals.

Males attract females ✓ — Correct! Male cicadas vibrate special organs called tymbals to produce their loud songs. Each species has a unique call that females recognize. Some cicadas reach 100 decibels—as loud as a motorcycle!

To communicate danger — Wrong. Cicadas don't have alarm calls. Their sounds are mating calls, not warning signals to other cicadas.