Cicadiagram

Cicadiagram is a visual representation of the life cycle of cicadas, particularly focusing on the periodical cicada species. These diagrams illustrate the distinct stages a cicada goes through from its nymphal phase underground to its emergence as an adult, mating, and egg-laying. The typical cicadiagram highlights the extended subterranean period of nymphal development, which can last for 13 or 17 years for periodical cicadas.

The diagram often shows the nymph molting several times before it emerges from the ground. Upon emergence, it molts one final time to reveal its winged adult form. The adult stage is relatively short, dedicated to reproduction. The cycle concludes with the female cicada laying eggs on tree branches, which then hatch into new nymphs that burrow into the soil to begin the cycle anew.

Cicadiagrams are useful for understanding the synchronized emergence patterns of periodical cicadas. These emergences, known as broods, occur at specific intervals and can involve billions of insects. The diagrams help to visualize the long-term nature of this life cycle and the predictable, yet infrequent, appearances of these insects in large numbers. They serve as an educational tool for entomologists, students, and the general public interested in insect behavior and natural history. The concept of a cicadiagram is primarily educational, simplifying a complex biological process for easier comprehension.