This gallery captures the remarkable anatomy and mystique of the cicada—a creature whose life is defined by silence, emergence, and symphony.
Their recent synchronized emergence, following 13 or 17 years underground, is one of nature’s most dramatic biological phenomena. These mass emergences, often involving billions of individuals, are more than just a visual and auditory spectacle—they’re ecological events that reshape forest floors, awaken predators, and fascinate entomologists and microbiologists alike.
While cicadas are not disease vectors in the traditional sense, their biology intersects with microbial life in hauntingly unique ways.
Cicadas are more than just seasonal marvels or forest noisemakers. Their wings possess a natural genius: an antimicrobial surface structured with nanoscale pillars that physically rupture bacterial membranes on contact. This passive, mechanical defense—requiring no chemicals, enzymes, or energy—has inspired researchers in biomaterials and medical device engineering.