Cicadas

Cicadas are fascinating insects known for their distinctive sound and unique life cycle. Here's a rundown:

Cicadas are insects belonging to the order Hemiptera, suborder Auchenorrhyncha.
They typically have large eyes and transparent, well-veined wings.
Cicadas come in various colors depending on the species, including shades of green, brown, black, and combinations thereof.
They have prominent membranous wings and are generally robust in appearance.

Eggs: Cicadas start their life cycle as eggs laid in the branches of trees by adult females.
Nymphs: When the eggs hatch, the immature cicadas, called nymphs, drop to the ground and burrow into the soil. They live underground for a period of years, feeding on root juices.
Molting: After several years, depending on the species (some have 13 or 17-year cycles), the nymphs emerge from the ground as adults.
Adult Stage: Once above ground, the nymphs molt into their adult form, shedding their exoskeleton. Adult cicadas live for a few weeks to a few months, depending on the species.

Male cicadas produce the loud buzzing or clicking sound that is associated with summer. They do this primarily to attract females.
This sound is produced by specialized structures called tymbals, which are drum-like organs located on the sides of the abdomen.
Each species of cicada has its own distinct sound, allowing individuals to recognize their own kind and avoid mating with other species.

Cicadas are primarily active during the day and are known for their swarming behavior.
They feed on the xylem fluids of plants, which they access through their specialized mouthparts.
Despite their large size, cicadas are generally harmless to humans and animals, as they do not bite or sting.

Some species of cicadas, known as periodical cicadas, have unusually long life cycles of 13 or 17 years.
These cicadas emerge in massive numbers, often synchronizing their emergence to overwhelm predators.
Periodical cicadas are primarily found in eastern North America and are famous for their mass emergences, which can number in the millions or even billions

Similar pests: Cicada Killers