As we head into winter, many of us are beginning to miss the sounds associated with warmer temperatures. This past summer, the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge was filled with the sounds of the loudest musicians, mainly insects. Their sounds filled the air throughout the park, signaling the beginning of summer serenades by our local invertebrate community. The top musician species were the unmistakable chirping of energetic katydids and the buzzing of cicadas, heralding the start of the season and creating tunes with a purpose that no guest could ignore.
The first songs started with those of the six-legged vibrant wonders, the katydids. These creatures, related to grasshoppers and crickets, are known for their large hind legs and long antennae, making them a fascinating sight. Their bright exoskeletons of green, pink, or brown colors caught the eye of visitors in June as they began their musical performances. The young katydids, called nymphs, were already exhibiting their musical talents. The Central Texas Leaf-Katydid, a common species at the Refuge, often was spotted climbing trees or strolling along the roads to their next performance venue on trees. As adults, katydids have broad, leaf-shaped wings that help them appear larger and more intimidating to predators. Their wings also serve as parachutes and help them break their fall since they are not the best flyers. The male katydids excel at making music, producing rasping sounds by rubbing their forewings together in a process called stridulation. The wing’s cupped shape help amplify their songs at night. Each species has its distinct song, but interestingly, different species can hear and respond to each other’s calls. These songs serve various purposes, from attracting mates to defending and claiming territory. You can recognize some of their songs by listening to the mnemonic “ka-ty-did.”
Our annual cicadas took center stage as musicians in the peak of summer, creating a unique summer atmosphere. When cicada nymphs emerge from the ground, they climb a tree or other tall surface to shed their exoskeleton, revealing their vibrant new appearance for their summer debut. Their semi-transparent wings are held like a roof over most of their body, allowing them to reach high locations to create a chorus with other cicadas. Unlike katydids, cicadas produce music by vibrating their tymbals — thin, ribbed membranes on their abdomens. This vibration, when air passes through, creates a buzzing sound. With the assistance of an internal air sac, the sound can be as loud as that of a lawnmower or tractor, reaching up to 100 decibels. This loud noise helps attract female cicadas nearby. Despite their Latin name meaning “tree cricket,” cicadas are related to leafhoppers and spittlebugs. With names like Superb Dog-day Cicada, Lyric Cicada, Scissor Grinder, and Little Mesquite, cicadas create an incredible rock concert at the Refuge.
Throughout the summer, we enjoyed listening to wildlife musicians adding their sounds to the environment. These small but loud insect songsters stood out, filling the trails and backyards with tunes. Their chorus served as a way of communication, crucial for attracting mates. As the temperatures have dropped, the tunes of these summer musicians have faded away, leaving us with the anticipation and excitement for their music to herald the return of summer.
