Description: Cicadas are insects. They have six legs, two large compound eyes, three simple eyes and two pairs of wings. They are usually green but sometimes brown or black. They spend most of their lives as nymphs. They burrow under ground and suck sap from tree roots. They emerge up to 17 years later, transformed into adults. They reproduce and then die.

During summer, one of the noisiest backyard residents is the cicada. There are many types to be found. The male cicada is responsible for most of the noise. They use their muscles to flex their bodies. This vibration makes the noise. The males are calling to attract females.

Food: Nymphs suck sap from tree roots, adults suck sap from tree branches or leaves.

Predators: Birds, wasps

Life Cycle: adult, egg, nymph, adult

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