Large Brown Cicada

Meet the "Oil Cicada," a staple of the East Asian summer soundtrack. Known for its distinctively opaque, chocolate-colored wings, this insect is more famous for its sound than its looks. In Japan, it is called the Aburazemi because its rhythmic, buzzing song sounds exactly like the sizzle of food hitting a hot frying pan of oil.

🔍 How to Identify

• 🟤 Opaque Wings: Unlike many cicada species that have clear, glass-like wings, this one has thick, dark brown, mottled wings that provide excellent camouflage against tree bark.
• 📏 Stout Build: They are relatively large insects, often reaching 5 to 6 centimeters in length, with a heavy-set dark brown or black body.
• 👁️ Wide-Set Eyes: They feature a broad head with two large compound eyes on the sides and three tiny, jewel-like "simple eyes" (ocelli) arranged in a triangle on their forehead.

🌲 Habitat & Ecology

• 🌳 The Tree Sizzler: You will most often find them clinging to the trunks of cherry, pear, or maple trees. They use a straw-like proboscis to pierce the bark and drink the nutrient-rich sap.
• 🍳 The "Frying" Song: Only the males sing, using specialized vibrating membranes called tymbals. Their call is a loud, continuous "ji-ji-ji-ji" that peak during the hottest parts of the afternoon.
• ⏳ Hidden Youth: Before they emerge for their few weeks of adult life, the nymphs live underground for 3 to 4 years, tunneling through the soil and feeding on tree roots.

⚠️ Safety & Toxicity

• ✅ Status: Harmless Friend. They do not have stingers, and they are not aggressive toward humans or pets.
• 🧤 Handling: If you pick one up, it may vibrate its wings rapidly or let out a startled "squawk." While they don't bite, their feet have tiny claws for gripping bark, which can feel a bit prickly on bare skin.
• 🐶 Pet Safety: They are non-toxic. If a curious dog or cat eats one, the main "danger" is a bit of indigestion from the crunchy, indigestible exoskeleton.

✨ Fun Fact

In Japanese culture, the sound of the Aburazemi is so synonymous with the peak of summer that many people say hearing their "frying" call actually makes the air feel several degrees hotter!