Tymbal
![Cicada tymbals: sound-producing organs and musculature.a, Body of male Cicada from below, showing cover-plates of musical organs;b, From above showing tymbals (drums), natural size;c, Section showing muscles which vibrate tymbals (magnified);d, A tymbal at rest;e, Thrown into vibration (as when cicada is singing), more highly magnified.](/Images/godic/202502/18/EB1911_cicada_tymbal_structure1956.png")
Tymbal (or timbal) is a term for a corrugated exoskeletal structure used to produce sounds in insects. In male cicadas, the tymbals are membranes in the abdomen, responsible for the characteristic sound produced by the insect. In tiger moths, the tymbals are modified regions of the thorax, and produce high-frequency clicks.