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Noisy Insects

The September 2008 issue of Ranger Rick featured an article about singing crickets, katydids, and cicadas—insects common to central and eastern North America. If you live where these "noisy boys" are found, then try these tips for getting up close to some:

1. Creep Close. Pick one song, cup your hands behind your ears, and turn your head back and forth to pinpoint where it's coming from. Start inching toward the sound. If it stops, wait until it starts again. Then move closer. If you?re lucky, soon you?ll be near enough to see the insect musician. 
2. Shine a Light. After dark, try a different trick. Grab a friend and two flashlights. From different places, head toward the same song. Then shine your lights in the direction the sound is coming from. The insect should be where the light beams cross. 
3. Watch and Wonder. Once you have a singer in your sights, sit quietly and watch it. Can you see it singing? Scoop it up with a net for an even closer peek. Then let it go, of course. The show must go on!
4. Want help figuring out who the singers are? Go to songsofinsects.com and click on "Online Guide" to catch some of their photos and hear their songs.

Illustration by Michael Slack