Cicadas

Cicadas are famous for their loud buzzing songs during summer. They are large insects with clear wings and big red or dark eyes. Cicadas spend most of their lives underground as young bugs called nymphs. When they finally come out, they climb trees and fill the air with sound.

A Long Wait

Some cicadas spend 13 or 17 years underground before becoming adults. These are called periodical cicadas. They feed on the juice from tree roots while they wait. When it is time, millions come out of the ground at the same time. Other cicadas, called annual cicadas, show up every summer.

The Loudest Bugs

Male cicadas make their famous sound to attract females. They have special body parts called tymbals that vibrate very fast. Cicadas are some of the loudest insects in the world. Their songs can be as loud as a lawn mower. Each kind of cicada has its own special song.

Fun Facts

• There are over 3,000 kinds of cicadas.
• Cicadas leave empty shells on trees when they become adults.
• Some birds and animals feast on cicadas during their big summer emergence.

Did You Know?

Cicadas are not harmful to people or pets. They do not bite or sting, even though they look and sound scary.