Tymbal
The tymbal is a sound producing organ found in the abdomen of cicadas. The tymbal consists of alternating stiff and flexible membranes. The song is produced by using muscle to deform this structure producing a click. The muscle tension is then released producing another click. This process is repeated rapidly and can be used to produce a very loud call.
The sound is not produced by stridulation as is the case in other insects.
A photograph of an adult cicada.
Photograph by Aleksasfi.
Other names for (or types of) Tymbal include:
- Timbal
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