How to Catch Cicadas.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue X, 9 March 1901, Page 431

How to Catch Cicadas.

“Why catch them at all?” is a remark that might perhaps be made by some. But certain natives of the Malay peninsula think otherwise, and not only cateh these insects, but eat them, and that as a considerable luxury. To eat a cicada seems distinctly curious when we reflect that this insect is in reality a glorified member of that insect group which contains as its most prominent representative the diminutive and swarthy creature which shall be nameless here for evermore.

The way in which the Siamese proceeds was related to the Zoological Society the other day by a naturalist who has spent some time in the Malay peninsula, observing men as well as insects. At night, when these insects fly, the native sallies forth armed with a torch and but little raiment. The torch is deposited in a convenient place, and the swarm of natives proceed to clap their hands in a perfectly regular fashion so as to produce a considerable sound.

It is the combination of light and sound that allures the cieada from its haunts to destruction; the insects come also in swarms and settle upon the bodies of the applauding natives, whence they are easily detached, preserved, cooked, and eaten. The Greek sage remarked that happy are the the cicadas in that they have voiceless wives. It is apparently the lady cicadas who are attracted by what they fondly believe to be the love cry of the male, and are thus lured to their fate by that most dangerous of passions.