5 Things You Need to Know About Cicadas Before They Invade

As the weather gets warmer, and the dog days draw nearer, the whole of nature seems to awaken. This means cicadas, hundreds of millions of them, will soon descend onto American counties.

WILLOW SPRINGS, IL - JUNE 11: A cicada sits on a twig in a forest preserve June 11, 2007 in Willow Springs, Illinois. The cicada is one of millions in the area that have emerged from the ground and taken to the trees during the past couple of weeks, part of a 17-year hatch cycle. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

As the weather gets warmer, and the dog days draw nearer, the whole of nature seems to awaken.

This means cicadas, hundreds of millions of them, will soon descend onto American counties. 

Every year, these ancient insects emerge from the soil in eye-wateringly large numbers to molt their adolescent skins and emerge winged. 

Here are some interesting facts about periodical cicadas. 

Cicadas cling to a tree in a forest preserve June 11, 2007, in Willow Springs, Ill. Scott Olson/Getty Images