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1. Thermal responses were measured in cicadas collected in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

2. The thermal responses of 22 species from 5 biomes were determined.

3. Shade-seeking temperature was the most variable and related to the various biomes.

4. Mean shade-seeking temperature was greatest for species inhabiting the thicket biome and lowest for species inhabiting the forest biome.

5. The animals that live in the thicket biome may adapt to the greater thermal stress to take advantage of a habitat that permits lower predation pressure.

6. There is a correlation between body size and shade-seeking temperatures with smaller species exhibiting lower thermal responses within a particular habitat. This may be related to the greater heat exchange in smaller species.

7. Heat torpor temperatures did not differ between the various biomes. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.