Cicadas might be a mere inch or so long, but they eat so much that they have to pee frequently, emitting jets of urine. This is unusual, since most insects are known to form more energy-efficient droplets of urine. Adult cicadas have even been known to spray intruders, a thought that will certainly remain with us when cicada season begins this spring. The science community has shown a lot of interest in the fluid dynamics of insects, but the cicada has presented them with an increased fascination. That’s why Georgia Tech is studying the behavior with a team of researchers led by Saad Bhamla. It's challenging to observe cicadas relieving themselves in the wild, since they spend so much time hiding in trees, but while doing fieldwork in Peru, Bhamla was lucky enough to observe several cicadas peeing in a tree. If you’re curious, check out the video below.
