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.
- The Stages of the Cicada Life Cycle
- Periodical Cicadas
- Predators and Threats
- Cicadasā Role in the Ecosystem
- The Cicada Life Cycle Printable
- How To Get ThisĀ Printable
- Related Products
Cicadas are insects famous for the loud, chirping songs of the males, which are used to attract females. They are unique because of their long life cycles, with some species living underground for as many as 17 years. This lifecycle is divided into several stages
The Stages of the Cicada Life Cycle
Cicadas have a unique and fascinating life cycle that is characterized by long periods of development underground followed by a brief but active adult phase. Here’s a closer look at each stage:
1. Eggs
Cicadas start their life as eggs. The female cicada uses a special structure called an ovipositor to cut tiny slits into the branches of trees, where she lays her eggs. After a few weeks, the eggs hatch, and the tiny nymphs drop to the ground. This is the beginning of their long journey underground.
2. Nymphs (Baby Cicada) and Underground Life
Once the baby cicadas, or nymphs, hatch from their eggs, they quickly make their way into the ground. They use their specially adapted front legs, which are strong and shovel-like, to dig into the soil. This initial burrowing happens very soon after they hatch. Underground, the soil provides a safe haven for the cicada nymphs. Here, they are protected from the weather and most predators, which helps them survive during this vulnerable stage of their life.
Cicada nymphs live underground for a very long timeābetween 2 and 17 years, depending on their species. During this time, they go through several stages of growth, called instars. As they grow, they shed their skin multiple times. This long period underground is crucial because it allows them to develop slowly and avoid predators.
While living underground, cicada nymphs do not eat solid food. Instead, they have a beak-like part called a rostrum that they use to suck juices from plant roots. This juice is their only food and provides them with all the nutrients they need to grow and eventually become adult cicadas. The plant sap is rich in water and sugar, which is vital for their energy.
Life underground for cicadas is quiet and slow but vital for their survival. It allows them to grow safely away from the eyes of predators and prepare for their spectacular emergence, which is one of the most exciting parts of their life cycle. This hidden phase of their life is a wonderful example of how nature works in mysterious and efficient ways.
3. Emergence and Molting
The temperature of the soil plays a big role in determining when cicada nymphs will emerge from the ground. They start to come up when the soil reaches about 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius). This temperature usually happens in late spring or early summer, signaling to the nymphs that it’s time to start their journey to the surface.
As the time to emerge approaches, cicada nymphs prepare for their final transformation. They slowly move towards the surface, following moisture gradients in the soil that help guide them upwards. Once they reach near the surface, they wait for the right time, usually at night, to come out. This emergence is timed perfectly to ensure their survival and successful transformation into adults
When the right time comes the mature nymphs emerge synchronously in large numbers. The nymphs then climb up nearby vegetation and undergo their final molt, shedding their exoskeletons. This molting process reveals the adult cicada and leaves behind the familiar cicada shell, a process that is fascinating to observe and can be a thrilling classroom discussion topic.
4. Adult Life
The final stage of the cicada’s life cycle is the adult phase, which is surprisingly brief, lasting only a few weeks. During this time, the primary goals are mating and reproduction. Adult cicadas are known for their loud calls, which are songs produced by males to attract females. After mating, females lay their eggs, and the cycle begins anew. Adult cicadas feed less frequently, but when they do, they continue to suck sap from plants. This stage offers an excellent opportunity to discuss the purpose of the cicada’s song and its role in their reproduction and survival.
Periodical Cicadas
Periodical cicadas are a fascinating group of cicada species known for their remarkably synchronized life cycles. These cicadas spend either 13 or 17 years living underground as nymphs, which is significantly longer than most other cicada species. The most famous of these are the 17-year cicadas, often referred to by their genus, Magicicada. What makes periodical cicadas particularly special is their mass emergence in enormous numbers, which occurs like clockwork every 13 or 17 years depending on the brood. This event creates a dramatic natural spectacle, as the air fills with the sound of their singing.
Predators and Threats
Cicadas have many natural predators, including birds, spiders, and even other insects. Birds are some of the most common predators of cicadas. They catch cicadas when they are most vulnerable, especially during their emergence from the ground and when they are still soft and unable to fly right after molting. Birds can be seen swooping down to grab adult cicadas right out of the air or picking nymphs off trees and plants.
Various small mammals, including squirrels, rats, and mice, also eat cicadas. These mammals often hunt for cicadas on the ground or low on trees. They take advantage of the cicadasā emergence period to feast on as many as they can catch, enjoying a high-protein snack.
Several types of insects and spiders prey on cicadas at different stages of their life cycle. Wasps, particularly cicada killer wasps, are notorious for hunting adult cicadas, paralyzing them, and taking them back to their nests to feed their larvae. Spiders catch cicadas in their webs, where they can easily overpower the trapped cicadas.
Aside from predators, cicadas face environmental threats such as habitat destruction and pesticide use. The loss of forests and green spaces can reduce the number of suitable places for cicadas to lay eggs and for nymphs to thrive underground. Additionally, pesticides used to kill other insects can also harm cicadas, affecting their numbers and health.
Cicadasā Role in the Ecosystem
Cicadas play a significant role in the ecosystem. One of the most significant impacts of cicadas occurs underground. As cicada nymphs dig and tunnel through the soil, they naturally aerate it, which helps improve soil quality by allowing air and water to penetrate deeper. This aeration benefits the soil by making it easier for plant roots to grow and for other microorganisms to thrive. Moreover, when cicadas dieāespecially during large emergencesātheir bodies decompose and enrich the soil with nutrients. This process of nutrient cycling is crucial as it helps sustain the next generation of plants and trees in the forest.
Cicadas are an essential food source for many predators, including birds, small mammals, fish, and even insects like spiders and wasps. During their mass emergences, they provide a feast that supports a wide range of wildlife, helping to maintain healthy populations of these predators. This abundance of food can influence breeding cycles and population growth, making cicadas a critical pulse resource in their ecosystems.
The Cicada Life Cycle Printable
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!
How To Get ThisĀ Printable
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Seemi holds a Master's degree in education, and an AMS Early Childhood credential. She has twenty years of experience in Montessori as a teacher, school administrator, and school owner. Seemi is the founder of TrilliumMontessori.org.