Cicada Invasion - 2007

It happens every 17 years and last for only a few weeks. These colorful insects emerge from the ground -- where they have spent the past 17 years developing -- then mate, lay eggs, and die. They are distantly related to shrimp (which may be one of the reasons some people eat them.) They have also been called "locusts", though real locusts are related to grasshoppers. There are cicada with other life cycles (a 13 year, and a 15 year) but the most spectacular is the 17 year.

Cicadas don't sting or bite, and actually are not considered a pest, just an annoyance as the bodies and empty pupa cases have to be shoveled off walkways! Their major annoyance is the loud "singing" males who are trying to attract the females. Some produce sounds over 100 decibles... not with mouths, but with vibrating membranes.

{also see movie}

Pictures: Matt Kuntz, Lincoln School, Oak Park, Illinois USA