stridulant (stridulant)

[ Stridulant i a (strid-ū-lan's hi-ä), n. pl. [NL. (Bur meister, 1835): see stridulant.] A group of hemipterous insects, including various forms which have the faculty of stridulating; specifically, the cicadas. See Cicadidæ. stridulate (strid'ū-lāt), v. i.; pret. and pp. stridulated, ppr. stridulating. [ Striges or plate, frequently having a pearly luster, by friction of which against another surface brought into contact with it a creaking sound is produced. These organs are variously situated on the wings, elytra, legs, abdomen, thorax, and even the head.