The abdomens of male cicadas are generally hollow and act as resonating chambers, similar to the function of an acoustic guitar. Also known as the dog-day cicada and the heatbug, this is a species of annual cicada that emerges in smaller numbers every year. Thus, Sirius is known as the “dog star,” which is the most prominent point in Canis Major — the great dog. The first cicada songs of the year are bittersweet for me. For more information visit www.speakingofnature.com, Speaking of Nature on Facebook, or the Speaking of Nature Podcast.