What's with all the cicadas on the North Shore?

No matter where you live on Sydney’s north shore, no summer is complete without the sound of cicadas buzzing into the summer heat. But this year, that buzzing has become more of a hammering, with mornings and afternoons overtaken by an almost deafening drone from the insects.

The noise seems to be coming largely from the green grocer cicada. Of the various species of cicada in New South Wales, the green grocer emerges from its exoskeleton, singing to attract females, fairly early on in the season. It is thought they fly out into the air and flit between trees on a seven-year cycle. Guardian Australia reports it is likely there are two main batches, with big, noisy years in 2010, 2013, 2017, 2020, and 2024.

Professor David Emery, a cicada expert at the University of Sydney, told the Sydney Morning Herald the “big emergence” first occurred on the 23rd of September — exactly the same night as 7 years ago.

While some have gone so far as to compare the decibels of a cicada song to the guidelines of Safe Work Australia, the reality is these loud little insects are here to stay, humming and chattering from morning til night, at least for the next few months. Whether you’re in Turramurra or Crows Nest, you’re likely to hear it.

And if you’re someone who gets frustrated by the whole thing?

Apparently, the closer you get to a cicada the quieter it becomes. We don’t recommend you try climbing the trees, though.

Image Source: Judy Confer