As spring and summer approach, many parts of the world will be filled with the loud, distinctive calls of cicadas. These insects have a unique life cycle that can be both captivating and educational for children.
To help you teach your students or homeschoolers about cicadas, we’ve put together a free download that includes cicada life cycle images using the the fun and glittery illustrations made by Glitter Meets Glue Designs. I’m curious to see how the students respond to this new style in our classroom!
How To Get This Printable
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The Cicada Life Cycle
The cicada life cycle starts with eggs that are laid on trees by the female cicada. After a few weeks, the eggs hatch into tiny nymphs, which then drop to the ground and burrow into the soil. The nymphs spend the next several years underground, feeding on the sap of tree roots. Once they reach maturity, the nymphs emerge from the ground and climb up a nearby tree or other vertical surface.
The final stage of the cicada life cycle is the adult stage, which is when we can see and hear cicadas. Adult cicadas have large, transparent wings and can fly. They spend the remainder of their time mating and laying eggs, before they finally die.
To help bring this life cycle to life for your students or children, use the free download that includes clear blackline (and color) images of each stage of the cicada life cycle. These images can be used to create flashcards (3-part cards), labeling activities, or as a visual aid during discussions or presentations.
The images include:
- Eggs laid on a tree branch
- Newly hatched nymph
- Molting nymph
- Adult Cicada
- Also included is a mat to lay out the cards in a cycle
We hope you enjoy using the free download of cicada life cycle images in your classroom or homeschool!
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