Cicada

Cicadas are super cool insects that love warm weather! They have big eyes and clear wings. You might hear their loud buzzing song on a hot day. They are famous for their noisy concerts! Some cicadas live underground for many years before coming out to sing and find a mate. They are like nature's little musicians, but they take a very long time to get ready for their show!

Cicadas live all over the world, except for very cold places like Antarctica. You can find them in forests, parks, and even your backyard! They love trees because they drink the sweet sap from them. Different kinds of cicadas live in different places. Some live in North America, while others call Australia or Asia home. They are pretty widespread, like tiny travelers everywhere!

Did you know most of a cicada's life is spent underground? They hatch from eggs laid in trees and then crawl down to the soil. There, they munch on tree roots for years! Some cicadas stay underground for 13 or even 17 years! That's longer than you've been alive! When they finally come out, they shed their old skin and get ready to sing their famous songs.

Cicadas are important because they are food for many animals, like birds and squirrels. Their loud songs help them find friends to have baby cicadas. When they come out in huge groups, it's called a 'brood.' This helps them survive because predators can't eat them all! It's like a giant party where there are too many to catch!