Which of the following events happens first after the male cicada calls to the female cicada, according to the passage?
A. The female deposits the eggs
B. The male and female mate in trees
C. Nymphs drop to the ground
D. The female makes a clicking sound
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is D. The female makes a clicking sound.
In the context of cicada mating behaviors, the male cicada produces a distinctive call to attract female cicadas. This call is part of their reproductive ritual and serves as an auditory signal to the females that a male is present and ready to mate. Upon hearing the male’s call, the female responds, often producing a clicking or a snapping sound. This response is crucial as it signals her receptiveness to the male’s advances.
The sequence of events following the male cicada’s call can be summarized as follows:
- Male Calling: The male cicada emits its characteristic sound to attract females, which is often loud and can be heard over long distances.
- Female Response: Upon hearing the male’s call, the female cicada typically responds with a clicking sound. This clicking is not just a passive reaction; it actively indicates her presence and willingness to engage in mating. This sound may also help to communicate specific information, such as her location and readiness to mate.
- Mating: After the female responds, mating occurs. The male and female cicadas often mate in trees or other elevated locations where they are safer from predators.
- Egg Laying: Following successful mating, the female cicada will deposit her eggs into suitable substrates, typically in the bark of trees.
- Nymph Development: After the eggs hatch, the nymphs drop to the ground, beginning their lifecycle, which involves burrowing into the soil.
Understanding this sequence of events is essential in studying cicada behavior and reproduction, illustrating how sound plays a critical role in their mating rituals. The clicking sound made by the female cicada is a fundamental part of this process, occurring before mating and egg-laying, thereby making it the first event in the sequence after the male’s call.