Why do cicadas make loud sounds?
Show answer & explanation
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.
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