Cicadidae

thumb|Neotibicen linnei Cicadidae, the true cicadas, is one of two families of cicadas, with about 3,400 species in over 520 genera worldwide; it contains most living cicada species, except for the two belonging to its sister taxon, the Tettigarctidae. The classification of this family, of often very similar insects, has undergone many revisions, continuing into the 21st century; for example, many species previously assigned to the type genus Cicada, are now placed in different tribes.

== Description == Cicadas are mostly large insects characterized by their membranous wings, triangular-formation of three ocelli on the top of their heads, their short, bristle-like antennae and often producing high-pitched songs. Although other Auchenorrhynchan insects communicate with sounds, the tymbals (modified membranes located on the abdomen) and resonating chambers, sometimes covered by opercula, are especially efficient mechanisms in the Cicadidae (and may include diagnostic features for identification).