There are over 250 species of cicada found throughout Australia. Each Summer, the bush throbs to the sound of their loud, distinctive song. Only male cicadas "sing" and they do so to attract a mate. The distinctive sound is produced by two drumlike membranes on both sides of the abdomen called timbals. The timbals flex much like a child's clicker toy and the resulting sound is amplified by large cavities in the abdomen. Some calls can be as loud as 120 decibels. Each species has its own distinctive melody and many can be recognised by the sound alone.

Female cicadas lay their eggs on the branches of trees. After hatching, the nymphs fall to the ground where they dig into the earth so they can feed on the sap from roots. Cicada nymphs may live underground for many years before emerging in the early Summer. A final moult produces the adult cicada, which then climbs back up into the tree canopy. Adult cicadas feed on the sap from tree branches.