Australia’s east coast is gearing up for an exceptionally noisy summer, with cicadas emerging in record numbers.
The Blue Mountains and parts of Sydney are already experiencing a “phenomenal season” for greengrocer cicadas, and experts predict the buzzing will only intensify as summer progresses.
According to Prof David Emery, a veterinary immunologist, and cicada expert, cicadas are not only appearing in large quantities, but they are also bringing along a range of species, including the loudest varieties like greengrocers, double drummers, black princes, razor grinders, red eyes, and cherry noses.
These species are already making their presence felt across the New South Wales coastline.
Australia often hailed as the “cicada capital of the world,” is home to over a thousand cicada species, many of which have yet to be scientifically documented.
While smaller cicadas may be less intrusive with their quieter calls, the larger species can be deafening, especially when they emerge in the numbers expected this summer.
The buzzing of greengrocers and other species will define Australia’s loud summer.Dr. Lindsay Popple, a cicada researcher, notes that the early warmer weather suggests a particularly loud season, with greengrocers typically being the first to appear.
These insects spend the majority of their lives as nymphs underground, feeding on plant roots and waiting for specific environmental cues to emerge, molt, and begin their mating calls, a behavior that can last for weeks.
The cicada’s iconic chorus is created by a unique organ known as the tymbal, which expands and contracts to produce the loud, pulsating sound that amplifies through the cicada’s body.
The Australian Museum reports that some species, such as the double drummers and greengrocers, can reach noise levels of up to 120 decibels at close range — comparable to the sound of a chainsaw.
For some, the cacophony of cicadas is a cherished part of Australian summer, evoking nostalgia and signaling the season’s arrival.
However, for others, especially those working outdoors, the relentless noise can be overwhelming.
Despite the varying reactions to the cicada symphony, one thing is certain: this summer’s cicada season will be louder than ever.