Thopha saccata, commonly known as the double drummer, is the largest
Australian species of cicada and reputedly the loudest insect in the
world. Documented by the Danish zoologist Johan Christian Fabricius in
1803, it was the first described and named cicada native to Australia.
Its common name comes from the large dark red-brown sac-like pockets
that the adult male has on each side of its abdomen—the "double
drums"—that are used to amplify the sound it produces. The adult
double drummer is the largest Australian species of cicada. Broad-headed
compared with other cicadas, the double drummer is mostly brown with a
black pattern across the back of its thorax, and has red-brown and black
underparts. The sexes are similar in appearance, though the female lacks
the male's tymbals and sac-like covers. Found in sclerophyll forest in
Queensland and New South Wales, adult double drummers generally perch
high in the branches of large eucalypts. They emerge from the ground
where they have spent several years as nymphs from November until March,
and live for another four to five weeks. They appear in great numbers in
some years, yet are absent in others.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thopha_saccata>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1856:
Mormon pioneers began leaving Iowa City, Iowa, and headed west
for Salt Lake City, Utah, carrying all their possessions in two-wheeled
handcarts.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon_handcart_pioneers>
1946:
Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning current
monarch, ascended to the throne of Thailand.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhumibol_Adulyadej>
1954:
During the Army–McCarthy hearings investigating conflicting
accusations between the United States Army and Senator Joseph McCarthy,
Army lawyer Joseph N. Welch famously asked McCarthy, "At long last, have
you left no sense of decency?"
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army%E2%80%93McCarthy_hearings>
1965:
The Viet Cong commenced combat with the Army of the Republic of
Vietnam in the Battle of Dong Xoai, one of the largest battles in the
Vietnam War.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dong_Xoai>
2010:
A boy wearing a bomb committed a suicide attack at a wedding in
Arghandab District, Kandahar, Afghanistan, killing at least 40 people
and injuring 70 others.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadahan_wedding_bombing>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
caisson:
1. (military) A two-wheeled, horse-drawn military vehicle used to carry
ammunition.
2. (engineering) A watertight retaining structure used in the construction
of bridges.
3. (architecture) A sunken panel used as decoration for a ceiling or a
vault; a coffer.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/caisson>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
If it were in my power to forgive you for your reckless cruelty I
would do so. I like to think I am a gentle man, but your forgiveness
will have to come from someone other than me. … Let us not assassinate
this lad further, Senator. You’ve done enough. Have you no sense of
decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?
--Joseph N. Welch
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Joseph_N._Welch>