Abstract: In black cicada, the sounding organ is a miniaturized sound-producing apparatus with multiplex structural combinations. Its song consists of amplitude modulating pulse trains, the repetition frequency being about 180 Hz. The measurable bandwidth is 200-12500 Hz with the main peak at 5 kHz. The song is produced by vibrations of the tymbal driven by alternating contractions of the tymbal muscle on both side. The functions of tc. are to ameliorate the song waveform and tuning characteristics, and to increase volume. Ach. further helps to ameliorate timbre and to raise volume. The main function of aca. is to raise song output. Jm. shows obvious effect on amelioration of timbre and tuning characteristics. Op. and mir. only have a little effect on volume regulation.
The construction of the cicada sounding organ may serve as some kind of biological prototype for sound equipment designing.