Double Drummer cicadas emerging– said to be the loudest insect on the planet. Australia has around a thousand species – green grocers, black princes, razor grinders, red eyes, cherrynoses and more. We are the world’s cicada capital.
An extraordinary magic is happening. The trees
are peppered with ghosts splitting, worming a pale
softness out of brittle brown coats, and somehow
growing wings, little yellow arm bands (like floaties)
flapping about, underwings vibrating, blood pumping,
the body arches, wings turn white, shaking in the breeze.
It takes half an hour to gain the strength to start
their climb up to the canopy where they darken
and live for a month after six years submerged in earth.
Last years was a noisy year for cicadas, males trying to attract a female, and their courtship song increases in intensity as they compete with each other.
