We’re learning 4 cicada insect fun facts for kids and creating a cicada clothespin craft. Also, look at my Free Kids Insect Unit Study for more ideas.
Have you somehow escaped the “attack” of the cicadas or haven’t seen that this year (2024) is a multiple brood emergence for cicadas?
It is an event that hasn’t happened in over 200 years.
And I have some fun facts for you.
There are over 3,000 species of Cicadas worldwide.
They are sorted into two families based on life cycle.
For example, they are either annual or periodical cicadas.
Annual cicadas have dark green or black bodies with green veins in their wings and come out every year.
Periodical cicadas: have black bodies, red eyes and legs, and red veins in their wings.
They live for years underground before they emerge.
While their appearance is startling, Cicadas are harmless.
And they do not endanger crops or people, they are just a noisy nuisance.
Cicadas
Our special edition of the classic, Cecily Cicada, created for the Midwest's double-brood emergence of 2024.
4 Cicada Insect Fun Facts For Kids
Next, here is a great video Cicadas: The Loudest Bugs in The World for kids all about these interesting insects
- For the most part periodical cicadas are found east of the Mississippi River. 13-year cicadas are found in more southern states. The later emerging 17-year cicadas can be found in the more northern states.
- The 13- and 17-year lifespan of periodical cicadas is one of the longest of any insect. They spend most of this cycle underground (99%) in the nymph stage. They feed on liquid from plant roots and emerge above ground for just a short time.
- When cicadas emerge in a giant mass the noise can reach a deafening crescendo -up to 100 decibels. This is the sound of male mating call and is louder than your neighborhood lawn mower.
- Not only do birds and animals enjoy eating them, but many people do also. Cicadas are edible and are considered a delicacy in many areas because they are high in protein, low in fat, and gluten-free, as well as a good source of minerals and vitamins.
In my handy dandy nature anatomy book, I was able to find a little section with an illustration of a 17-year Cicada, these books are a treasure!
Also, look at these facts about their life cycle
Cicada Life Cycle
- Eggs- Females use their ovipositor to carve a groove in a groove in a tree branch or trunk, this protects and provides a nutrient rich fluid.
- Nymphs- After 10 weeks the eggs hatch into nymphs, feed off the tree and then fall to the ground. They then dig and burrow their way underground and live there for 2-17 years depending on the species. They rely on feeding off plant roots for nourishment.
- Adults- When the soil reaches appropriate temperatures the nymphs molt into winged adults on a nearby vertical surface. These are the exoskeletons you find abandoned around the yard. For about 30 minutes they are extremely vulnerable and soft but after about 30 minutes their new exoskeleton hardens off. Male cicadas then sing mating songs creating a lot of noise.
Once emerged cicadas only live for no longer than 6 weeks and they are gone until the cycle begins all over again.
More Insect Hands-on Crafts for Kids
- Fascinating and Fun Honey Bees Unit Study and Lapbook for Kids
- How to Make a Fun Ladybug Watercolor Labeled Picture
- Free Kids Insect Unit Study┃ How to Make Clay Insects
- 8 Insect Fun Facts About Texas For Kids | Easy Dragonfly Craft
- Fun and Easy Hands-on Life Cycle Butterfly Activity for Kids
Finally, look at how to make this clothespin cicada craft.
How to Make A Cicada Clothespin Craft
Even though our craft uses hot glue your child will not be directly touching it until completely cooled so this is a great introduction to this useful tool.
You will need:
- Wooden clothespin
- Black button
- Red beads
- Pipe cleaners
- Markers
- Silicone mat
- Hot glue gun/glue sticks
First,[ paint the entire clothespin black and set aside to dry.
Now to create the wings. It is really fun.
You want to use a flexible silicone mat because it can take the heat of the hot glue without damage.
Once cooled the hardened glue peels off easily.
Use a light-colored dry erase marker to draw out a pair of wings on the silicone mat.
Now you are going to fill in the outline with a thin but solid layer of hot glue.
Allow it to harden completely.
While you are waiting, use hot glue to attach small red beads to either side of the button for eyes.
Hot glue button to the end of the dry clothespin.
After your glue has hardened you can easily peel up the wings and trim them with scissors if needed.
Take a marker and add some vein details to them.
Run a little hot glue down the top of the clothespin and attach your wings.
You do not want to apply the glue to the wings directly as the heat from the glue gun will melt them.
Cut 6 small legs out of pipe cleaners and hot glue them into place on the underside of the clothespin cicada.
Bend them into two parts.
