The Sounds of Summer: Japanese “Semi” (Cicadas)

“Aburazemi” Cicada (Graptopsaltria nigrofuscata)

After living in Japan for awhile, one learns that there are certain sights and sounds that are intimately linked in the Japanese psyche with the summer season: glass chimes that gently tinkle with the softest breeze; ghost stories whispered by candlelight; rumbling explosions of festival fireworks displays; and the unrelenting and loud buzzing cry of the Japanese “Semi” (cicadas).  Although there are many species of semi, the two most often seen and heard in the Osaka area are the “Aburazemi” (Graptopsaltria nigrofuscata) and the “Kumazemi” (Cryptotympana facialis).  The Aburazemi has a cry of “jirijirijirijiri…”.  The cry of the Kumazemi sounds something like “jaa..jaa...”.  Both are irritatingly loud, and their choruses are especially strident in the warmer part of mid-morning.   

“Aburazemi” (Graptopsaltria nigrofuscata)

Kumazemi (Cryptotympana facialis)

During the larval stage of their life cycle, semi live underground, feeding on the sap of plant roots.  Depending on the species, this larval stage ranges from two to seven years.  When semi reach maturity, they emerge from underground, climb the nearest tree or shrub, and shed their larval skin.  It is said that if you examine these dried-up larval skins closely, you can determine the species and sex of the individual that left it behind.  Below are a few photos of various abandoned larval skins (“nukegara” in Japanese); species undetermined.

Almost as soon as they have emerged from these larval skins, the male semi will start their incessant crying to attract a female mate.  After mating, the female will drill holes into the twigs of trees and deposit her eggs.

Adult semi will live only a couple of weeks after transforming from their larval stage, so it can be said that the overwhelming focus of their adult lives is to have sex and die.  And that is what they do, that is, if they can avoid being eaten by a “Karasu” (crow) or other bird or mammal.  Below is a photo of a semi being eaten by a “Hiyodori” (Brown-eared Bulbul) (Hypsipetes amaurotis):

After the semi eggs hatch, the larvae will make their way to the ground and burrow into the soil to spend the majority of their lifetime quietly unnoticed by humans.  Usually by the end of September, most of the semi will have completed their lifecycle, and it will once again be possible to hear the songs and cries of more soft spoken species of birds and insects.