Cicadas

        Cicadas are insects that live underground for 13-17 years. After those years, they emerge from the ground. The male and female cicada both make noises. The male cicada makes a noise by flexing its tymbals, which are drum-like organs found on its abdomen. The female cicada makes click noises with its wings. The male makes his noise to call the females for mating. A female answers with her clicking sound. The cicada also molts from a nymph to an adult. They have an exoskeleton and they molt out of it. Here are steps of how they molt. First, the nymph grabs hold of a leaf. Next, along the middle of its back all the way to its head, it splits open and the adult steps out of its exoskeleton. After that, the cicada curls back, freeing its spiracles and legs. Then, it curls forward and grabs its old skin, freeing its abdomen. Finally, the cicada fills its wings with fluid and expands them. Cicadas are very interesting insects and I have enjoyed learning about them.