Solving a High-Country Mystery
I was recently up at a friend’s cabin in Overgaard for some horseback riding. On previous trips, my morning feeding routine was usually greeted by the distant calls of coyotes or wolves welcoming the day. This time in May, however, the mornings were quiet—except for a strange clicking noise.
The sound seemed to be coming directly from the trees. At first, I thought it might be squirrels chewing on pinecones, but I couldn’t spot a single one. Squirrels are usually big enough to be seen easily, and this sound was coming from much smaller trees. I searched the branches, but whatever was producing the rhythmic “chatter” remained invisible.
Investigating the Source
I briefly wondered if there was an issue with the power lines, but the sound was clearly centered in the foliage. My mind then jumped to a more concerning possibility: was I hearing the invasive Ips beetles? These beetles have been devastating Ponderosa pines across Arizona, and I was worried I was witnessing an infestation in real-time.
I made several recordings for further study and, thankfully, experts have since reassured me that the trees are safe from beetles.
Meet the Putnam’s Cicada
I’m relieved to share that the clicking is actually the work of a native insect: the Putnam’s Cicada (Platypedia putnami).
Most of us are used to the sustained, high-pitched “buzz” or “drone” that cicadas produce during the heat of a desert summer. However, Putnam’s cicadas are different. Instead of using a vibrating organ called a tymbal, these males produce a rhythmic clicking sound by snapping their wings together to attract a mate. The official scientific term for this wing-snapping is crepitation.
A Springtime Performance
We don’t usually visit the cabin this early in the year, which is why I hadn’t heard this specific performance before. We happened to catch them during those wonderful, warm late-spring days when the temperatures were just right for their emergence.
Unlike the famous 13- and 17-year “periodical” cicadas found back East, these are annual emergers. While a new generation surfaces every year, individual nymphs actually live underground for a few years, feeding on plant roots. Once they surface as adults, they have only 4 to 6 weeks to mate and complete their life cycle.
Hiding in Plain Sight
Despite my best efforts, I never actually saw one of the musicians. They are described as being about an inch long, slender, and slightly hairy. They are mostly black with black eyes and distinct orange highlights.
Now that I know exactly what that clicking sound is, I’ll be looking at the “chattering” branches much more closely during my next May visit. It’s a wonderful reminder that even when the woods seem quiet, there is a whole world of activity happening right above our heads!
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