Why do Cicadas make so much noise?

Summary

Who Smarted? — Why do Cicadas Make So Much Noise?

Episode Date: May 27, 2026
Podcast: Who Smarted? (Atomic Entertainment / Starglow Media)

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Episode Overview

This episode of “Who Smarted?” plunges headfirst into the buzzing, boisterous world of cicadas, those legendary summer insects known for their deafening chorus. Host Trusty Narrator teams up with Ada the Cicada to uncover the science behind cicada noise, explore why they emerge in huge numbers, and answer the ultimate question: Are cicadas dangerous to humans? Through humor, storytelling, and interactive questions, the show transforms “buzzing” curiosity into fun learning for kids and families.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Cicadas and the Sounds of Summer

• Introduction to Cicadas
  • The episode opens with the familiar sounds of summer—grills, pool splashes, and... incredibly loud insects.
  • Ada the Cicada and her bug friends are introduced as the source of the infamous seasonal buzz.
  • Quote:
    • "When it’s summertime, we crank up the volume and unleash the decibels, which are units used to measure sound. In fact, we're among the loudest insects in the world." — Ada the Cicada (02:01)

Cicada Characteristics

• Cicadas are often green, brown, or black with prominent eyes, four see-through wings, and six legs.
• Most of their lives are spent underground, only emerging during warm months.
• Sound Levels:
  • Cicada noises reach up to 100 decibels (as loud as a lawnmower) and sometimes up to 120 decibels (as loud as a chainsaw or rock concert).
  • Quote:
    • "Some cicada species can reach sound levels of 120 decibels or more." — Ada (03:18)

Cicada Emergence: Annual vs. Periodical

• Two Types of Cicadas:
  • Annual cicadas: Emerge every year across many regions.
  • Periodical cicadas: Emerge only every 13 or 17 years—mainly in Eastern USA—by the billions.
• Why Do They Emerge Together?
  • Emerging in massive numbers is a survival strategy called "predator satiation": they overwhelm predators, greatly increasing survival rates.
  • Quote:
    • "Periodical cicadas emerge all together in large numbers to overwhelm their predators and make it less likely they'll be eaten." — Ada (07:12)

The Cicada Life Cycle ([08:46] – [10:52])

• Life Journey:
  • Females lay eggs in tree branches.
  • Eggs hatch into nymphs, which fall to the ground and burrow into the soil.
  • Nymphs live underground, feeding off sap, for years (13 or 17).
  • Ultimately, they emerge, molt (shed their skin/exoskeleton), and become adults.
• Interactive Play: Ada writes a “one-act play” about the baby cicada, played by the host:
  • “The hatched nymphs fall to the ground… the baby cicadas dig into the soil and get cozy underground.” (10:05-10:16)

Why and How Cicadas Make Noise ([11:03] – [12:50])

• Purpose of Cicada Sounds:
  • Congregational “songs” mark mass emergence.
  • “Disturbance squawk” scares predators.
  • Courtship songs attract mates.
• How They Make Noise:
  • Cicadas don’t yell—they use specialized body parts called timbals (tiny drumheads on their abdomens) to create sound by flexing their muscles.
• Who Makes the Most Noise?
  • Only male cicadas; females respond with quieter clicking.
  • Cicadas can be so loud, police have been called to investigate "disturbances" (12:50).

Cicada Molting & “Cicada Rain” ([13:01] – [14:50])

• Molting:
  • When newly-emerged cicadas reach the surface, they climb up and shed their exoskeletons, leaving behind “shells” clinging to tree trunks.
• Cicada Droppings:
  • During massive emergences, cicada poop can fill “300 Olympic-size swimming pools every day.”
  • Cicada urine, called “honeydew,” occasionally falls as “cicada rain.”
• Memorable Moment:
  • “I doubt there is enough chlorine in the world to swim in that.” — Trusty Narrator (14:19)

Reproduction & Short Lives ([14:58] – [15:36])

• Females lay 200–600 eggs each; collectively, billions of eggs are deposited during an emergence.
• Adult cicadas die within weeks after reproducing, continuing the cycle.

Are Cicadas Dangerous? ([15:39] – [16:21])

• Answer: No!
  • Cicadas don’t bite, sting, or attack people.
  • They’re beneficial: they return nutrients to the soil and are food for birds, mammals, even people.
  • “Cicadas don't bite, sting, or attack people. And we actually have a positive impact on plants and animals...” — Ada (15:53)

People Eat Cicadas? ([16:21] – [16:45])

• In some cultures, cicadas are a high-protein delicacy and reportedly taste like shrimp (not pizza!).
• Both shrimp and cicadas are arthropods, though in different families.

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Notable Quotes & Fun Facts (with Timestamps)

• “When it's summertime, we crank up the volume and unleash the decibels... we're among the loudest insects in the world.” — Ada (02:01)
• “Some cicada species can reach sound levels of 120 decibels or more. That's the noise level of a chainsaw or a rock concert.” — Ada (03:18)
• “Periodical cicadas emerge all together in large numbers to overwhelm their predators ... It's a strategy called predator satiation.” — Ada (07:12)
• “Cicadas are genetically programmed to emerge from underground when they mature.” — Ada (08:46)
• “These sounds are all made by cicadas' bodies, which are literally designed to make noise.” — Ada (11:45)
• “Female cicadas make a quieter clicking sound if they like the male's song. In fact, cicadas can be so loud, people have called the police to report a disturbance.” — Ada (12:22)
• “The amount of cicada droppings, aka poop, could fill 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools every day.” — Ada (14:00)
• “Cicadas don’t bite, sting, or attack people. And we actually have a positive impact on plants and animals.” — Ada (15:53)
• “Cicadas are considered a gourmet delicacy and a yummy snack in some cultures. We're high in protein, and some people say cicadas taste like shrimp.” — Ada (16:23)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:46-02:26] — Ada and friends introduce themselves and their noisy reputation
• [03:06-03:34] — How loud are cicadas? Decibels compared to everyday sounds
• [05:02-06:24] — Cicada mass emergence (“outbreak”) explained
• [07:12-08:46] — Survival strategy and how cicadas time their emergence
• [09:05-10:52] — The life cycle of cicadas as a “one-act play”
• [11:03-12:50] — The secrets behind cicadas’ sounds and why only males sing
• [13:01-14:50] — The molting process, cicada exoskeletons, poop, and “cicada rain”
• [15:39-16:21] — Are cicadas dangerous? (Spoiler: no)
• [16:21-16:45] — Eating cicadas: taste and arthropod connections

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Memorable Moments & Humor

• Interactive trivia with playful options and “smarty pants” audience engagement
• Ada’s “one-act play” about a baby cicada
• Comical reactions to cicada “poop” and “cicada rain”
• Lighthearted references to noisy neighbors and summer activities

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Takeaway Facts for Kids and Families

• Cicadas are not harmful: They’re loud and a bit messy, but they don’t bite or sting!
• Survival in numbers: Cicadas’ mass emergences help protect them from predators.
• Unique sound makers: Only male cicadas produce those famous summer sounds, using built-in drum-like “timbals.”
• Life underground: Cicadas spend most of their lives underground as nymphs before emerging for a brief, noisy adulthood.
• Beneficial for ecosystems: Their remains fertilize the soil, and they are an important part of the food web.

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Summary:
This episode transforms a familiar summer soundscape into a quirky, scientific adventure, answering “Why do cicadas make so much noise?” with humor, storytelling, and unforgettable facts. By the end, kids (and grown-ups) gain a new appreciation for these remarkable, noisy insects—and are well-prepared for their next backyard symphony!

Transcript

[A]

You know what I love? TaskRabbit. When we moved our whosmarted office, how did we find our mover TaskRabbit? When I've got errands piling up and zero time to run them. TaskRabbit Ikea furniture assembly that's about to drive me mental. I. Call me a tasker. I've been blown away by how helpful and awesome they are every single time. TaskRabbit connects you with skilled taskers in your area for moving furniture assembly, home repairs, mounting a tv, yard work, you name it. You can search skill set availability and past client reviews, and these taskers have put in the reps. Over 3.4 million pieces of furniture assembled. 700,000 home repairs. 1 1/2 million moves and counting. I love TaskRabbit, smarty pants, and you will too. When life happens, your to do list grows. Get ahead of it now and get $15 off your first [e-mail] or on the TaskRabbit app. Using Prom Smarted taskers book up fast, especially for same day tasks. So book trusted home help today. That's $15 off your first task. Using promo code smarted with the TaskRabbit app [e-mail] and now it's time for who smarted? Psst. Hey, smartypants. Listen to the sounds of my neighborhood and see if you can guess what season it is. I hear burgers sizzling on the grill, ice cold lemonade, kids jumping in a pool. My ne for Bob's super loud riding mode, and of course, the ice cream truck. So do you know what season it is? Why, of course, smarty pants. It is some. Some summertime.

[B]

Hey, don't forget us.

[A]

Uh, who said that?

[B]

Me. Ada. And these are my friends.

[A]

Whoa, Ada, you and your buggy friends are loud?

[B]

Oh, yeah. When it's summertime, we crank up the volume and unleash the decibels which our units use to measure sound. In fact, we're among the loudest insects in the world.

[A]

No kidding. I can barely hear myself. Smart. Smarty pants. Can you guess what kind of insects Ada and her friends here are?

[B]

If you're not sure, my name is a hint.

[A]

Yep, I heard a lot of smarty pants say it. These insects are cicadas. Which makes you Ada the cicada. Of course you are. I gotta say, I don't seem to hear you very much during the rest of the year.

[B]

Oh, nope. Cicadas spend most of our lives underground, but we emerge in large numbers in the warm weather. Months, we're usually green, brown, or black with big buggy eyes, four see through wings and six legs. But if you don't see us, that's okay. We know you've heard us,

[A]

that's for sure. How loud are cicadas?

[B]

The buzzing and clicking noises we make reach sound levels up to 100 decibels.

[C]

Wow.

[A]

That's enough to drown out Bob's mower, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

[B]

Oh, but that's not all. Some cicada species can reach sound levels of 120 decibels or more. That's the noise level of a chainsaw or a rock concert.

[A]

Yep, cicadas and their loud selves are as much a part of summer as barbecuing lemonade pools, ice cream trucks, and Bob, who seems to mow his lawn every day. But what is all the buzz about? Why do cicadas make so much noise? And why do you only come out during warm weather? And no offense, but are cicadas dangerous to humans?

[B]

No offense taken. I'm glad you asked. If you and your smarty pants want to tag along with me and my brood. That's what a group of cicadas is called. We're on our way to Cicada Rella, one of the largest gatherings of cicadas. We'll happily answer all your questions on the way.

[A]

All right, smarty pants, grab your earplugs and get ready to bug out. As we take another whiff of science and history.

[C]

On who smarted? Who's smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up, everyone. We make smarting lots of fun. On who's smart and.

[A]

Okay, smarty pants, I'm with our new friend Ada, the cicada at Cicadarella. And I gotta say, there are a lot of very loud cicadas here, which is way louder than any concert I've ever gone to.

[B]

Well, that's because this is what's known as a cicada emergence or outbreak. That's when tons of cicadas emerge from underground all at once.

[A]

Emergence, Outbreak. That sounds like a scary movie.

[B]

Nah, it's just a natural event. Phew. You see, there are over 3,000 species of cicadas.

[A]

Whoa.

[B]

And scientists divide them into two groups. Annual cicadas that emerge every year in parts of North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. And periodical cicadas who spend most of their lives underground, mainly in the eastern United States, and emerge in enormous numbers all at once, every 13 or 17 years.

[A]

Why every 13 or 17 years, smartypants. Any ideas? Yeah, me neither.

[B]

Well, that's the length of the periodical cicadas life cycles, which just happens to be among the longest life cycles for insects. Millions and sometimes billions of periodical cicadas can emerge from the ground all at once in massive swarms that are sometimes called.

[A]

Called what, smarty pants? Is it A, a gathering, B, a swarm, or C, a plague? The answer is a plague.

[B]

Which sounds scary, but isn't. In this case, phew. And speaking of sounds, while annual cicadas can be loud, periodical cicadas really turn up the volume.

[A]

They sure do. Now, smarty pants, do you know why periodical cicadas emerge in massive numbers altogether? Is it A, to build a hive, B to survive, or C to get loud and partay? The answer is B to survive.

[B]

Periodical cicadas emerge all together in large numbers to overwhelm their predators and make it less likely they'll be eaten. It's a strategy called predator sac satiation. It also increases the chances for cicadas to find a mate so they can reproduce or have babies, which are called nymphs.

[A]

But wait a second. If periodical cicadas are all living underground and not in communication with each other, how do they know when to emerge? It's not like they have watches or calendars or email.

[B]

Oh, wow. Great question. Question, Trusty cicadas synchronize their emergence or know when to come out altogether based on environmental factors such as the soil temperature and change of seasons. They come out when it's summer because the warm weather is best for them to be active above ground. And cicadas actually have something like an internal biological clock that helps them keep track of the passage of time. Not to mention the timing of their life cycle. Either 13 or 17 years is encoded in their genes.

[A]

Gotcha. And smartypants, we're not talking about the genes you buy with holes already cut in them. We're talking genes. G, E, N E, S, which is a segment of DNA that helps make you. Well, you.

[B]

Cicadas are genetically programmed to emerge from underground when they mature. As in when they're all grown up. Say, Trusty, do you think the smarty pants would want to learn more about the life cycle of a cicada?

[A]

Absolutely right, smarty pants. Yep. They might not be as loud as cicadas, but I can always hear them.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Fantastic. I actually wrote it as a one act play. Here's a scene. Okay, trusty narrator, you play the baby cicada. Oh, do you remember what that was called?

[A]

Um, sure. I think I do. Do you remember, smarty pants? Was it a flight, a nectar, or a nymph? The answer is a nymph. Which is what? I guess I'll be playing in this play written and directed by Ada the cicada.

[B]

Ahem. Um. A cicada's life begins when a female cicada lays her eggs in tree branches. A few weeks pass, and the eggs hatch into nymphs. Ahem. That's your cue, trusty.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

Wah, wah, wah. The hatched nymphs fall to the ground. Um.

[A]

Ouch.

[B]

The baby cicadas dig into the soil and get cozy underground, where they spend most of their lives feeding on snow SAP from the roots of trees and plants.

[A]

Um. Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom. Slurp, chomp, burp.

[B]

Cicada nymphs go through stages of development called instars, and when they grow up, they emerge from underground as adults.

[A]

Wow. That was deep, Ada. I dig it. I guess cicadas do have a lot to buzz about after spending most of their lives underground. Is that the reason why cicadas are so loud? What do you think, smarty pants?

[B]

Well, cicadas get loud and make different noises for different reasons. The congregational song or chorus is when they all leave underground at once. There's the disturbance squawk when they want to scare off a predator. And there's a courtship song when a male cicada wants to attract a female cicada.

[C]

Wow.

[A]

I had no idea cicadas made different sounds for different reasons. It always sounds kind of the same to me. But what do I know? I'm a narrator, not a cicada. But how are they able to make these sounds? They're not yelling, right?

[B]

No, these sounds are all made by cicadas, bodies which are literally designed to make noise.

[A]

Like little buggy beat boxes,

[B]

Kind of. Only cicadas use their bodies as musical instruments. They have timbals, which are like little tiny drum heads on their abdomens. They can flex their muscles to push the timbals in and out very quickly to make noise.

[A]

Smarty pants, any guesses who makes most of the ruckus? Is it male cicadas or female cicadas?

[B]

If you said it's the male cicadas, you're right. The males turn up the volume and make loud noises to get female cicadas attention. Female cicadas make a quieter clicking sound if they like the male's song. In fact, cicadas can be so loud, people have called the police to report A disturbance.

[C]

Nothing to see here, folks, but there's

[B]

a lot to see during a cicada emergence.

[A]

Oh yeah? Like what?

[B]

Like a fascinating process called molting.

[A]

Ooh, smarty pants. Do you know what happens when cicadas molt? Do they A, lay eggs, B, shed their skin, or C, poop? The answer is coming right up after this quick break and a word from our sponsors. Now back to who smarted Smarty pants? Cicadas do more than just make a lot of noise. Do you know what happens when cicadas molt? Do they A, lay eggs, B, shed their skin, or C, poop?

[B]

If you said B, shed their skin, you got it. When young cicadas emerge from underground, they climb up plants or trees to molt or shed their skin, which is called their exoskeleton. Afterwards, their new exoskeleton gradually hardens and cicadas become adults.

[A]

Smartypants. Did you know sometimes you can see a cicada's old exoskeleton clinging to a tree?

[B]

That's right. And we drop more than just our exoskeletons during an emergence. The amount of cicada droppings, aka poop, could fill 300 Olympic sized swimming pools every day.

[A]

I doubt there is enough chlorine in the world to swim in that.

[B]

And then there's cicada rain.

[A]

Oh, cicada rain. I'm afraid to ask. Do we need umbrellas?

[B]

Maybe. Cicada rain is a term for the urine or waste product of cicadas, which is sometimes called honeydew. That too falls to the ground like a little rain shower when lots of cicadas hang out in trees.

[A]

And that's what I was afraid of.

[B]

Ew.

[A]

Is there anything non bathroom related that we should know about?

[B]

Well, yes. When cicadas aren't pooping or peeing, we're laying eggs. Periodical cicadas lay between 200 to 600 eggs each. And all together, they can lay billions of eggs during an emergence.

[A]

Whoa, that's a lot of nymphs.

[B]

It sure is. However, after adult cicadas lay eggs, they die within a few weeks to a month. But the baby cicadas begin the cicada's life cycle all over again.

[C]

Yay.

[A]

Wow, cicadas really are fascinating. Oh, right. There's that scary sound cue. Which means it's time for me to ask. True or false, smarty pants? Cicadas are dangerous. The answer is false.

[B]

Phew. That's right, smarty pants. Cicadas don't bite, sting, or attack people. And we actually have a positive impact on plants and animals. See, when cicadas decompose, we add nutrients to the soil, and we're yummy food for birds, reptiles, and mammals like foxes, squirrels, raccoons, and even some people.

[A]

Wait, people eat cicadas?

[B]

They sure do. Cicadas are considered a gourmet delicacy and a yummy snack in some cultures. We're high in protein, and some people say cicadas taste like.

[A]

Like what, smarty pants? Is it chicken pizza, or shrimp? Please, please, please don't be pizza.

[B]

Nope, trustee, it's not pizza. Phew. Some people say cicadas taste like shrimp. You could say cicadas and shrimp are distantly related. They're both arthropods, a class of invertebrates with exoskeletons. Although shrimp are crustaceans and cicadas are insects.

[A]

Ada, is that rain rain or cicada rain?

[B]

Um, I don't know, but either way, you should grab an umbrella.

[C]

Okay, bye.

[A]

A special shout out to smartie friend Ethan B. And mom Melissa in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Thanks so much for listening and smarting with us. And we're so happy to hear that who Smarted is your favorite podcast on Earth. And since we don't know of any other life forms out there, that makes us the most favored podcast in the universe.

[B]

Yay.

[A]

This episode. Cicadas was written by Leanne French and voiced by Aaron Yamon. Adam Bug's Life Davis and Jerry Colber. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Hahn. Our associate producer is Max Kamaski. The theme song is by Brian Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis. Who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colber. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.

[C]

Too Smart.

[A]

It's.