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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ 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

___________________________ 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