cicadas and poetry

1、cicadas

Cicadas, also known as “locusts” or “jar flies”, are insects that belong to the order of Hemiptera. There are more than 3,000 species of cicadas worldwide, and they are found all over the world except for the polar regions.

Cicadas are known for their distinctive sound, which is produced by the males to attract females. The sound is made by the tymbal organs, which are located on the underside of the abdomen. The vibration of these organs causes the characteristic chirping sound that cicadas are famous for.

The life cycle of cicadas is an interesting one. Once the eggs hatch, the nymphs burrow into the ground and feed on the sap of tree roots for several years. When they are ready to become adults, the nymphs emerge from the ground and climb up trees or other plants. Once they have found a good spot, they shed their skin, and the adult cicada emerges.

Cicadas play an important role in the ecosystem. They are considered a keystone species, which means they are crucial to the survival of other species in their habitat. Cicadas serve as a food source for a wide range of animals, including birds, mammals, and reptiles. They also help to aerate the soil and provide nutrients to the plants around them.

Cicadas have been used for food and medicine in many cultures. In China, cicadas have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including coughs, fever, and deafness. In Japan, cicadas have been used for their shells, which are considered a symbol of good luck and are used in various crafts and decorations.

Overall, cicadas are fascinating insects that have captured the attention of humans for centuries. They play an important role in the natural world, and their unique sound is a familiar and comforting part of summer for many people.

2、cicadas and poetry

Cicadas, those tiny insects that create a symphony of sound during hot summer days, have long captured the attention and imagination of poets throughout history. Their droning hum evokes a sense of nostalgia and reflection, and has been the inspiration for many great works of literature.

In Ancient China, the singing of cicadas was seen as a symbol of approaching autumn and the inevitable passage of time. The poet Tao Qian captured this sentiment in his famous work, "The Cicada", which describes the insects' song as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life. Similarly, the Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi wrote about the cicadas in his poem "On Hearing the Cry of the Cicada", describing how he felt a sense of loneliness as he listened to their mournful cry.

In modern times, the cicada has continued to inspire poets. The American poet Ogden Nash wrote a humorous poem called "The One-L Llama, The Two-L Buffalo, And The Three-L Cicada", which pokes fun at the difficult spelling of the word "cicada". More recently, the Australian poet Les Murray wrote "The Blackening-Tree Cicadas", a poem that explores the idea of the cicada as a symbol of mortality and the cyclical nature of life.

What is it about the cicada that has captured the hearts of so many poets? Perhaps it is the sense of nostalgia and melancholy that their song evokes, or the way they remind us of the passing of time. It could also be their tenacity in the face of adversity - cicadas are known for their ability to survive even in the harshest of conditions, and their relentless singing can be heard even on the hottest of days.

Whatever the reason, there is no doubt that cicadas hold a special place in the world of poetry, inspiring generations of writers to explore the themes of life, death, and the passage of time. As we listen to their haunting song on a hot summer day, we can appreciate the beauty and power of these tiny creatures, and the poetry they have inspired.