Here they come. Introducing Brood XIII.

If you live near Chicago and had the opportunity to venture outside with a flashlight tonight (Monday, May 21), you probably saw something like this. Dozens of cicadas burrowing out of holes that served as their homes for 17 years. All at once, they've realized their juvenile years are over: They're coming to visit the open air again for a short time. They'll molt, mate, and quickly die.

Here's our culprit. Notice the hard, brown body and beady red eyes. They'll make their way right up your arm if you let them. (Never fear, cicadas are harmless.) 

Where will these zombie-like critters emerge? Around the bases of trees, where they've been feeding off roots for nearly two decades. Look for a tree older than that, and watch the ground and trunk for movement. In our yard, we found that oak trees were good breakout sites.

Also listen. You just might hear them tromping through leaves and grass as they make their way from their holes (like the one below) to the nearest plant or tree trunk.

 Once they've reached a trunk, they'll climb up to a comfortable perch and begin molting. Molting is a step in metamorphosis--the amazing process by which insects grow and change shape. Insect metamorphosis is evidence of God's creative abilities; despite what some people would like you to believe, there is no evolutionary explanation that fully accounts for its complexity and diversity. The brown cicada that emerges from ground has no wings, but it will after it molts--which may happen within an hour or two.

Look closely and you'll see the cicada's back has split open. A larger, folded, skin or exoskeleton is expanding beneath it.

Liftoff! The appendages sticking out on the right and left are four wings, tightly bundled. The cicada will slowly inflate and unfurl them. 

Of course the cicadas aren't alone in their pursuits--it's easy to find groups of cicadas perched next to one another, all unwinding their wings in harmony. But sometimes the socialization gets carried away. One interloper (below) decided to climb all over his neighbor, who was molting and quite unable to move (although he did wave his legs in protest.)

 The finished product. Isn't it a beauty?

In a few days all of Chicago will be covered with these loud insects. They'll be coating the trees and chirping for mates. If you live in the Windy City enjoy them now--you'll be sick of them soon enough.

photos copyright Daniel Devine. you may use these photos for your site if you credit the source and provide a link to globelens.com