Cicada Mania

Dedicated to cicadas, the most amazing insects in the world.

July 23, 2008

The Songs of Insects

Filed under: Anatomy | Books | Broods | Sounds — Dan @ 10:02 pm

Lately, we’ve received quite a few emails asking for audio samples of cicadas and katydids so folks can A) tell them apart, and B) tell what species they are. There’s plenty of sites on the web that feature cicada sounds; look for links tagged AUDIO on my cicada links page. Two particularly good sites for sound files Massachusetts Cicadas and Cicada Central.

In my search for good cicada and katydid sounds, many people recommended the book “The Songs of Insects” by Lang Elliott and Wil Hershberger. I ordered it immediately, and it arrived today. I am truly amazed by this book (and audio CD). The book profiles 75 North American singing insects including cicadas, katydids, crickets, and grasshoppers. Each profile features two excellent color photos of each insect, a map of where you can find them, a description, and the audio CD that includes the insect’s song. The book is over 225 pages long, and a high-quality paperback. If you or your kids are interested in signing insects, there’s no better book to buy. All my nieces and nephews are getting this book for Christmas.

The authors of the book have a webpage featuring the songs of the insects featured in the book. Note that the book is lacking in species found in the western U.S. — if you live east of the Rockies this book is awesome.

Listing for bugs is a fun thing to do in these hot summer months — buy this book before the summer ends.

5 Marvins 5 out of 5 Marvins.

The Songs of Insects by Lang Elliott and Wil Hershberger

It is available on Amazon.com.

5 Comments »

  1. missy says:

    how does a cicada protect self from danger? oh yeah this is for homework so try fast to get all these questions ansered. how is it diffrent from other insects? what are the stages in it’s life cycle

  2. kim says:

    Wow great gift idea for boys, and some girls!

  3. Roy Troutman says:

    I just received the book & audio CD over the weekend & I must say that I wish there were something like this out when I was a kid. I always dreamed of having a reference book like this & now it’s finally a reality! Thanks Lang Elliott and Wil Hershberger! There is not enough praise for this book & cd set.

  4. cindy anderson says:

    I SAW A GREEN BUG, THOUGHT I MIGHT BE A BABY PRAYING MANTIS, FOUND THE CICADA ON THE WEB, HE OR SHE IS REALLY COOL, THANKS TO SOMEONE I NOW KNOW WHAT IT IS AND SOUNDS LIKE. IF ICOULD I WOULD PUT IT ON THE WEB MY PICTURE IS REALLY COOL!!!!!!! HOPEFULLY MY COMPUTER WILL BE FIXED AND I WILL BE ABLE TO SHOW YOU MY PICTURE. HAVE A GREAT BUG DAY!!!!!!! CINDY FROM CHESHIRE, CT.

  5. bug_girl says:

    Another vote for this book–it is fabulous!

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