Creation Moments

Jonathan Cotton: What sounds like noise may be complex communication. That's next on today's Creation Moment. And now, here's our Creation Moment's host, Ian Taylor.

Ian T. Taylor: While the call of the cicada sounds like a rocker's racket to us, researchers have only just learned that these amazing creatures have a complicated system of communication. Cicada beetles live underground for 13 to 17 years before emerging to live a few brief weeks to sing and mate before they die. Immature cicadas feed off the fluids flowing through tree roots. One acre of ground can have as many as 400 lb of immature cicadas beneath its surface. Once out of the ground, they molt into their final adult form, and after a few days, are ready to begin mating.

At this point, they only have 4 to 6 weeks to mate before they die. Males begin their call to find a suitable female. Their rasping call ends by slurring into a lower pitch, and then they listen. If a female is interested, she will make a click with her wings. The male responds, and after several successful conversations, the male changes his style. If the female responds to this change with more clicks, the female will allow him to mate. Eggs are laid in the twigs. After they hatch, the hatchlings fall to the ground and begin burrowing to begin the life cycle all over again.

While the racket made by cicadas sounds like a random noise to us, it is a complex communication system that follows set rules. Complex systems of communication can only be the product of an intelligent designer, the very creator God revealed in the Bible.

Jonathan Cotton: To get free samples of our custom gospel tracks and other outreach materials that focus on biblical creation and salvation through Jesus Christ, visit us at creationmoments.com or call us toll-free at 1-800-422-BIBLE. That's 1-800-422-4253. And be sure to join us next time for another Creation Moment.