entomology

Cicadas are very summer incects in Japan. The commenest species is Graptopsaltria nigrofuscata (see the photo). You can find them almost everywhere as far as there are trees, especially parks and groves in cities. Very common throughout the country.

Its Japanese name is Abura-zemi. Abura means 'oil' and zemi (or semi) is 'cicada'. So the literal meaning is 'Oil cicada'. You may wonder why the name. Its appearance seems to have nothing to do with oil. Indeed, no connection. However, its buzzing is connected. For somebody who named the species, Abura-zemi's raucous song sounded like a noise of frying something in oil. Personally, I disagree.

If you want to try the buzz of oil cicada, access:
http://www.nat-museum.sanda.hyogo.jp/semi/abura.html
and then click the picture on the page.