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Learn About Walking Stick Bugs | Kids Nature Facts

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Wherever there is dung (also known as poop), there are most likely dung beetles. They belong to three basic groups: rollers, tunnelers, and dwellers. Those words describe how these beetles use the dung they find.

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Wherever there is dung (also known as poop), there are most likely dung beetles. They belong to three basic groups: rollers, tunnelers, and dwellers. Those words describe how these beetles use the dung they find. The rollers shape pieces of dung into balls and roll them away from the pile.

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Have you ever heard a buzzing sound in the summertime? It might be a male cicada trying to impress a mate. But depending on where you live and what year it is, you might not hear just a few buzzing bugs hanging out in the trees-things might get so loud you won't hear anything else but the buzzing!

A Bug's Life

Cicadas start their lives as eggs. Females lay 200 to 400 eggs in tiny holes that they make in the branches of trees and shrubs. After six to 10 weeks, cicada young called nymphs hatch from the eggs and immediately fall to the ground. They burrow underground and attach to tree roots. The nymphs stay buried to suck tree sap from two to 17 years, depending on the species. When this underground life-called the dormant period-ends, the cicadas emerge aboveground at sunset, climb the trunk of a nearby tree, and shed their skin. Now they're adult cicadas.

Next, male cicadas fill the air with shrill buzzing sounds created by rapidly vibrating drum-like plates on their abdomens. The females make clicking sounds with their wings if they like the song. They mate, lay their eggs, and then both male and female cicadas die after just about five weeks aboveground.

Two Types

Scientists divide the over 3,000 cicada species into two groups: annual and periodical. Annual cicadas emerge from the ground at different times each summer. They're usually dark with greenish markings. These insects avoid predators by camouflaging themselves in the trees and flying from hungry birds and moles.

Only seven species of cicadas are in the other group, called periodical cicadas. These bugs all emerge from the ground at the same time. Called broods, these groups appear after a dormant period of either 13 or 17 years. That's a long nap!

Periodical cicadas live only in the central and eastern part of the United States. They have black backs, orange bellies, and red eyes. Millions-or even billions! -of cicadas might come out all at once, so these bugs aren't trying to hide. They survive by having such a large population that predators couldn't possibly eat them all at once.

Big Noise

A different periodical brood emerges almost every year in different parts of the country. Some broods are small, like Brood VII (the Roman numeral for seven), which is found only in upstate New York. But others are huge: In the summer of 2021, hundreds of billions of cicadas in Brood X (the Roman numeral for 10), will buzz through parts of Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Although the emergence might sound scary, these bugs aren't harmful: They don't attack people, they don't bite or sting, and they don't destroy crops. So just enjoy the sights and sounds!

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Some species of cicada live as long as 17 years, though most of the time is spent underground. There are two groups of cicadas: annual cicadas and periodical cicadas.

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The head louse makes itself at home on the human scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes, which is where you'll find this annoying parasite. An estimated six million or more children are infested each year in the United States alone.

While nestled close to the scalp, the louse feeds every few hours on a steady supply of human blood. Head lice do not spread diseases, but they can cause itching and other mild symptoms and often must be treated with medication.

Head lice go through three life stages. Over the course of its lifetime, females may lay 50 to 150 eggs-or nits-on hairs the scalp. The eggs can resemble dandruff. After about a week, the eggs hatch and release nymphs, which are roughly the size of a pinhead. After another week, the nymphs grow into adults that are about the size of sesame seeds.

Each louse has six legs and each leg contains its own claws! Ouch!

Head lice often spread from person to person by direct head-to-head contact, though they can be transmitted through clothing, brushes, beds, or other items that have been in contact with an infested person.

With a constant supply of nourishing blood, adult head lice can live on a person's head for up to a month!

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The head louse makes itself at home on the human scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes, which is where you'll find this annoying parasite. An estimated six million or more children are infested each year in the United States alone. While nestled close to the scalp, the louse feeds every few hours on a steady supply of human blood.

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There are about 1,800 species of praying mantids around the world. People often refer to any mantid as a praying mantis, but mantises are part of a smaller group within the mantids. Praying mantids are carnivores, eating mainly insects and other small animals. Many gardeners and farmers welcome mantids, because the insects they eat are often pests that hurt crops. In addition to insects such as crickets and grasshoppers, mantids eat spiders, frogs, lizards, and even small birds.

Praying mantids have long necks topped by a triangular head. They can turn their heads 180 degrees-an entire half circle. They're well-camouflaged, adapting colors that help them blend with plants. Some also have amazing body shapes that make them look like leaves or branches. Their front legs have rows of sharp spines to help them hold on to their prey, which they usually begin to eat head first!

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These insects get their name because they have very long front legs that they hold in a position that reminds people of praying. There are about 1,800 species of praying mantids around the world. People often refer to any mantid as a praying mantis, but mantises are part of a smaller group within the mantids.

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The Madagascar hissing cockroach is all hiss and no sting. Its alarm hiss, which sounds like a loud snake hiss, is the cockroach's attempt to scare off intruders. The male cockroach also uses distinct hisses to attract a mate and to intimidate other male cockroaches.

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The Madagascar hissing cockroach is all hiss and no sting. Its alarm hiss, which sounds like a loud snake hiss, is the cockroach's attempt to scare off intruders. The male cockroach also uses distinct hisses to attract a mate and to intimidate other male cockroaches.

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Have you ever been cleaning out the garage or the basement when a hard-shelled bug crawled out from under something and scared you? You might have shouted, "Eek!" or "Yikes!" or even "Ewww!"

Today in Wonderopolis we're going to be taking a closer look at one of the most hated of all creepy crawlies: the . Although this is often seen as a dirty, -carrying , you'll soon learn there are a lot of myths out there about the .

The comes in an amazing number of different types. Scientists believe there are over 4,500 different of around the world. Of those thousands of , only about 30 of them have been associated with human habitats and only about four of them are true pests.

Here are the common and scientific names of a few of the best-known of cockroaches:

Although most cockroaches are not true pests, some have been known to carry the germs that cause tuberculosis , , , salmonella , and a whole host of other diseases. This is why many people believe cockroaches are dirty and potentially dangerous. In reality, though, most of the thousands of of cockroaches live in areas far away from humans.

Scientists believe that cockroaches have lived on Earth about 100 times longer than human beings have. They are known for being and insects that can withstand all sorts of adverse conditions. Some people believe cockroaches could even a !

So how are they? Would you believe that some of cockroaches can for several weeks without their heads? It's true! Cockroaches do not bleed like human beings do, and they can breathe through most of the parts of their bodies. So if a gets accidentally decapitated, its body can often another few weeks without its head!

Why are cockroaches that are pests so hard to control? One reason is that they'll eat just about anything - from glue and soap to books and hair. Moreover, one tiny meal can satisfy a for up to six weeks. Can you imagine going that long without food? Cockroaches can go so long between meals because special that live in their cells produce all the vitamins and amino acids they need to live.

Cockroaches are so resilient that they've been known to go without air for up to 45 minutes. Some cockroaches can even recover from being held underwater for 30 minutes or more. But could they really a ?

No one knows for sure, and we hope we never find out! Cockroaches do have a much higher resistance to than human beings, but they're not necessarily any more immune to than other insects.

If you find you have cockroaches around the house, it is best to get rid of them. As you've learned they can for a very long time with very little food - and what they consider food can be just about anything. Given that they can carry and scientists have linked them to increased chances of reactions and , it's best to keep them out in the wild where they belong!

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Could a Cockroach Survive a Nuclear War?

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Get up close and personal with a creepy crawler in today's Wonder of the Day!

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There are about 5,000 different species of ladybugs in the world. These much loved critters are also known as lady beetles or ladybird beetles. They come in many different colors and patterns, but the most familiar in North America is the seven-spotted ladybug, with its shiny, red-and-black body. In many cultures, ladybugs are considered good luck. Most people like them because they are pretty, graceful, and harmless to humans. But farmers love them because they eat aphids and other plant-eating pests. One ladybug can eat up to 5,000 insects in its lifetime! Most ladybugs have oval, dome-shaped bodies with six short legs. Depending on the species, they can have spots, stripes, or no markings at all. Seven-spotted ladybugs are red or orange with three spots on each side and one in the middle. They have a black head with white patches on either side. Ladybugs are colorful for a reason. Their markings tell predators: “Eat something else! I taste terrible.” When threatened, the bugs will secrete an oily, foul-tasting fluid from joints in their legs. They may also play dead. Birds are ladybugs’ main predators, but they also fall victim to frogs, wasps, spiders, and dragonflies. Ladybugs lay their eggs in clusters or rows on the underside of a leaf, usually where aphids have gathered. Larvae, which vary in shape and color based on species, emerge in a few days. Seven-spotted ladybug larvae are long, black, and spiky-looking with orange or yellow spots. Some say they look like tiny alligators. Larvae grow quickly and shed their skin several times. When they reach full size, they attach to a leaf by their tail, and a pupa is formed. Within a week or two, the pupa becomes an adult ladybug. Ladybugs are happy in many different habitats, including grasslands, forests, cities, suburbs, and along rivers. Seven-spotted ladybugs are native to Europe but were brought to North America in the mid-1900s to control aphid populations. Ladybugs are most active from spring until fall. When the weather turns cold, they look for a warm, secluded place to hibernate, such as in rotting logs, under rocks, or even inside houses. These hibernating colonies can contain thousands of ladybugs. The name “ladybug” was coined by European farmers who prayed to the Virgin Mary when pests began eating their crops. After ladybugs came and wiped out the invading insects, the farmers named them “beetle of Our Lady.” This eventually was shortened to “lady beetle” and “ladybug.” NASA even sent a few ladybugs into space with aphids to see how aphids would escape in zero gravity.

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Do you love playing outside? There's nothing quite like a game of soccer in the backyard or a nature hike in a local park. Of course, there are always pests to deal with in nature.

For example, if you're going to be playing outside for an extended period of time, you might want to use some bug spray to prevent bites from those flying insects that act like vampires. What are we talking about? Those parasites we call mosquitoes, of course!

Female mosquitoes feed on blood. Although we call them "bites," a female really doesn't bite you to get at your blood. Instead, she sticks a part of her mouth through your skin. This part - called the - is kind of like a straw.

With her underneath your skin, a female searches for a blood vessel. When she finds one, she releases into the wound. contains a substance - called an anti-coagulant - that keeps your blood flowing so she can quickly get her fill of your blood.

While you might not immediately realize when you've been "bitten" by a , your body's system is fully aware of what's going on. It detects the presence of the and tells your body to produce a substance called to fight it.

When the reaches the area of skin where the "bit" you, it causes blood in the area to swell. That's why you usually see a "bite" as a red bump on your skin.

When the blood swell, they also cause nerves in the area to become irritated. Your body feels this nerve irritation as an itching . The is much like any other type of you may have experienced in the past.

bites can be a serious matter. In the United States, some mosquitoes carry and a called West Nile . In other areas of the world, particularly Africa, mosquitoes can carry germs that potentially-deadly diseases, like .

So even though bites aren't always dangerous, they can be and should be avoided as much as possible. Mosquitoes are most active during the hours just before and after sunrise and sundown. During these times, be sure to use bug spray and wear long clothing, if appropriate.

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Today's Wonder of the Day may have you swatting and scratching!

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Do you smell that? Wonderopolis has been by small brown bugs. Can you help us get rid of them? Be careful, though. They're a bit on the stinky side. What are we talking about? Stink bugs, of course!

Have you ever seen a stink bug before? They're part of the Pentatomidae insect family. The most common is known as Halyomorpha halys, or the brown marmorated stink bug. " Marmorated " means that these bugs are often streaked like marble. As you might guess from the name, the bugs are usually brown. However, they often have white, black, gray or blue markings.

If you're not looking for the stink bugs, you might miss them! They're very small, only about half an inch long. They also have a very unique shape. They resemble small and are pretty easy to recognize when you see them.

Stink bugs are to China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. How did they end up in Wonderopolis? The bugs were brought to the United States accidentally . They started popping up in the U.S. in the mid-1990s after traveling as in packing crates. Today, stink bugs appear across the United States.

So what's so stinky about stink bugs? They release a gas that many people think smells like . The gas comes from stink on the underside of their bodies, between their first and second pair of legs. These release the odor as a . You'll smell the odor if a stink bug feels threatened. It's similar to how the skunk defends itself.

Besides stinking, stink bugs also pose big problems for farmers. They're agricultural . While some insects - such as bees and the praying mantis - are helpful to farmers, stink bugs damage crops. They feed on a wide variety of fruits and vegetables as they grow. This includes apples, cherries, peaches, raspberries, pears, green beans, and soybeans.

When the growing season is over, stink bugs invade nearby homes. As the fall nights turn cool, they look for shelter in warm areas. When they get inside a house, they will usually hibernate to survive the winter. In the spring, many people notice stink bugs in their house. The insects are just waking up from their hibernation and will soon be on their way to nearby farms.

Are stink bugs dangerous to people? Normally, no! The worst most people have to fear is a bad stench from this bug. To avoid the worst, just avoid stink bugs when you see them. Getting too close could result in a very smelly situation.

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Do you smell that? Wonderopolis has been by small brown bugs. Can you help us get rid of them? Be careful, though. They're a bit on the stinky side. What are we talking about? Stink bugs, of course! Have you ever seen a stink bug before? They're part of the Pentatomidae insect family.

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Zika virus. . West Nile virus. Dengue fever. Have you ever heard of these illnesses? If so, you likely know what they all have in common. These are a few of the diseases spread by one of the greatest known to humankind-the mosquito.

Much of the time, mosquito bites are just itchy. Nothing ruins a backyard barbecue faster than a swarm of these bloodsucking insects. However, some mosquitoes carry viruses that cause deadly illnesses. In fact, some experts say mosquitoes are a bigger threat to human life than any other .

Over the centuries, mosquitoes are thought to have caused the deaths of 52 billion people. That's half the people who have ever lived on Earth! Even today, illnesses spread by mosquitoes kill more people each year than war does.

It should be no surprise that many people would like to get rid of mosquitoes. What if we could wipe out the entire mosquito population? No more . No more Zika. No more itchy bumps after a summer day spent outdoors. Doesn't that sound great?

Not so fast. Sure, some species of mosquitoes harm humans. But others don't any threat at all! In fact, some of these mosquitoes play important parts in their ecosystems . How do mosquitoes help the world? Let's look at a few ways.

Many of our Wonder Friends already know that bees play an important part in pollination. It turns out, mosquitoes do, too! Most mosquitoes actually drink nectar instead of blood. When they do so, they help pollinate the plants they feed on.

It's also important to remember that even mosquitoes are part of an ecosystem. Without them, the food chain would be . As , they live in water and feed on algae and other small organisms. The mosquito are then eaten by fish.

Adult mosquitoes are a food source for bats, birds, spiders, and small mammals. Without them, these animals would need to find something else to eat. Some experts even think mosquitoes could be used to help humans. Researchers are looking into using their saliva to treat cardiovascular disease.

Some historians even think mosquitoes have helped shape major events in human history. Two examples are the American Civil War and World War II. In fact, the Nazis used mosquitoes as a biological weapon. This caused the spread of among Italian troops.

Of the more than 3,000 species of mosquitoes in the world, three are mostly responsible for spreading disease. And of those three, it's only the females that bite humans. Some experts are looking for ways to target these species and end the spread of illnesses like . However, they worry doing so could have more wide-ranging effects.

Mosquitoes are important to the ecosystem. Still, you should do what you can to protect yourself from their bites. How does your family stay safe from mosquitoes? Talk with an adult family member about how you can better avoid these .

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Zika virus. . West Nile virus. Dengue fever. Have you ever heard of these illnesses? If so, you likely know what they all have in common. These are a few of the diseases spread by one of the greatest known to humankind-the mosquito. Much of the time, mosquito bites are just itchy.

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Only female mosquitoes actually "bite." They use their mouth, which looks like an upside-down funnel with the narrow end pointing down, to pierce their "victim" and sip liquid. This liquid could be either blood (human or animal) or plant juices, depending on the mosquito species. Male mosquitoes feed solely on plant juices.

Different species prefer the blood of particular animals. Some mosquitoes feed only on snakes, frogs, or other cold-blooded animals. Other mosquitoes prefer birds. Still others prefer cows, horses, and people.

Like most insects, mosquitoes have two compound eyes, each of which contains thousands of six-sided lenses that point in all different directions and move independently. Mosquitoes can't focus their eyes like people. Instead, their eyes stay open to help them detect quick movements. The mosquito's wings beat about 1,000 times per second and create the insect's telltale buzzing sound. The female's wings create a higher-pitched tone than the male's, helping it attract potential mates.

Most female mosquitoes lay their eggs-up to 200 at a time, depending on the species-in water or near it, although not all species must hatch their eggs in water. Favorite places to lay eggs include any place that water pools, such as marshes and swamps, plus tree holes, discarded containers, and poorly maintained swimming pools. Transparent parts that cover the mosquito egg keep it from sinking. In warm weather, most eggs hatch within three days.

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Mosquitoes are known the world over for their itchy "bites." And they're also known for spreading some of the world's worst diseases, including malaria, yellow fever, encephalitis, and dengue. Only female mosquitoes actually "bite." They use their mouth, which looks like an upside-down funnel with the narrow end pointing down, to pierce their "victim" and sip liquid.

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This spring, parts of the United States will witness a rare natural event. Trillions of Brood 10 cicadas are expected to emerge in mid-May. The insects have spent 17 years underground. They will likely be around until late June or July.

The cicadas come out to mate. Across 15 states, they'll create a buzz as loud as a lawn mower. That's their mating call. It's the male cicada that makes all that noise, Michael Raupp told TIME for Kids. Raupp is an entomology × entomology SANDRA STANDBRIDGE-GETTY IMAGES the study of insects (noun) Jack's fascination with grasshoppers got him thinking about a career in entomology. professor at the University of Maryland, College Park. "It's going to be a big boy band up in the treetops," he says.

Within a few weeks, the female cicadas will lay hundreds of eggs. Then, as suddenly as they appeared, the cicadas will die. "This unique event happens nowhere else on the planet," Raupp says. "The abundance of these cicadas is going to be amazing."

What's the Buzz?

Brood 10 is a family of periodical cicadas. That means the insects come out every once in a while instead of every year or few years.

The cicadas emerge when soil temperatures reach 64°F. They crawl out from under the ground and fly up into trees. If you're standing outside, one might land on you. But don't worry: Cicadas aren't dangerous. The insects don't bite or sting. They might just give you a friendly little poke.

Up in the trees, female cicadas lay their eggs. Then the insects fall to the ground and die. About six weeks later, the eggs develop into nymphs, or young insects. They tumble out of the trees and dig themselves into the earth. That's where they'll spend the next 17 years, feeding on root sap until they're ready to come out again.

Raupp says it's a drama you just can't miss. "There's going to be birth. There's going to be death. There's going to be predation × predation STEPHEN FRINK-GETTY IMAGES the process of one living thing killing another for food (noun) Seals are vulnerable to predation by sharks. . There's going to be romance. There are going to be songs," he says. "Just go out and enjoy these things. This is only going to happen a handful of times in your lifetime."

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This spring, parts of the United States will witness a rare natural event. Trillions of Brood 10 cicadas are expected to emerge in mid-May. The insects have spent 17 years underground. They will likely be around until late June or...

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More than a trillion cicadas are coming to the United States. Two broods of the flying insects are coming up from the ground this month. People in the Midwest and Southeast are likely to see them. These people can expect…

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There may be a new way to save endangered honeybees. A company called Dalan Animal Health is making a vaccine. It protects honeybees from a killer bacterium. This germ is called American foulbrood. It spreads from hive to hive.

PHILIPPE LEJEANVRE-GETTY IMAGES

Dalan got approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop the vaccine. It is the first of its kind.

The vaccine will help beekeepers, too. Their business depends on bees. Tauzer Apiaries is a business in California. "This is an exciting step forward for beekeepers," the company says.

MONTY RAKUSEN-GETTY IMAGES

A Big Loss

Honeybee numbers are falling. Habitat loss, pesticides, and disease are some of the causes. Losing bees is a big problem. They pollinate plants. This produces many of our foods. We can thank the insects for one out of every three of the foods we eat.

ANASTASIIA KRIVENOK-GETTY IMAGES

U.S. beekeepers lost more than a third of their honeybee colonies in 2019. American foulbrood could make things worse. It can wipe out entire colonies. An average colony has about 60,000 bees.

Sweet Relief

Vaccines are usually given with a needle. Not this one. It's mixed into royal jelly. Worker bees make the sugary stuff to feed the queen. The vaccine would give the queen's babies immunity to the disease. Eventually, the whole colony would be immune.

JOCELYN WINWOOD, NZ.-GETTY IMAGES

Until now, infected colonies had to be destroyed. That kept the disease from spreading. The vaccine is a safer way to keep beehives buzzing.

Time Is Short

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Honeybees don't live as long as they used to. Scientists in Maryland made this discovery.

The bees live about 18 days. Fifty years ago, they lived closer to 34 days. They produced more honey, too. The scientists say pesticides could be to blame. Disease and habitat loss could also be causes.

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There may be a new way to save endangered honeybees. A company called Dalan Animal Health is making a vaccine. It protects honeybees from a killer bacterium. This germ is called American foulbrood. It spreads from hive to hive. Dalan...

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Today's Wonder of the Day was inspired by Lucas. Lucas Wonders, " How do bees pollinate? " Thanks for WONDERing with us, Lucas!

Have you ever heard someone say that bees are responsible for one of every three bites of food you eat? That's an estimate-it's impossible to exactly. However, it's clear that bees play a role in food production . They are excellent pollinators!

Most food crops-including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds-must go through pollination. That's the process of moving tiny cells between plants to help them make seeds.

How does pollination happen? It's mainly accomplished by insects. And, of all the insects that plants and flowers, bees are by far the most important. They spend most of their lives collecting . It's a primary source of that they feed to their young.

When bees land on flowers, the hairs on their legs attract cells through a force like static electricity. The bees store some of this to take back to their nests. Other bits of it get left on other flowers, completing the process of pollination.

The flowers also reward the bees for their hard work. They produce sweet that gives bees the they need to live their busy lives. In fact, you've probably heard the phrase "busy bee" in the past. That certainly holds true when you think about the important job they do for flowers and crops.

How many flowers can a bee in one day? About 5,000! If you think that's amazing, consider this: To make one pound of honey, a hive of bees must travel over 55,000 miles and visit two million flowers!

Yes, bees certainly are busy. And today, they face many threats to their survival. Where would our world be without these hard-working furry insects? We'd rather not find out!

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Today's Wonder of the Day was inspired by Lucas. Lucas Wonders, " How do bees pollinate? " Thanks for WONDERing with us, Lucas! Have you ever heard someone say that bees are responsible for one of every three bites of food you eat? That's an estimate-it's impossible to exactly.

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Habitat loss is one of the biggest threats to bees. They need places where they can find food and build their hives. They need flowers and trees. And many bees build their nests underground. Their babies grow up there and come out in the spring.

How can you create safe places for bees?

One way is to plant trees. Bees feed on tree blossoms in the spring. They use the leaves to build their nests. And trees are good places for bees to hide. Be sure to plant native trees. These are the trees that naturally grow in the area. That way, the bees will feel right at home.

You can also plant a flower garden. Choose flowers that blossom at different times. The more colorful, the better. Leave some of the dirt bare, to allow bees to build ground nests. If you don't have a lot of space, a flowerpot will do. Or a window box. And put the sprays away! Pesticides are harmful to bees.

Don't have a green thumb?

There are other ways to protect bees. Buy only local honey. This will support the beekeepers in your area. And learn everything you can about bees. Show others how much you care. Let's work together to save these creatures that do so much for us.

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Habitat loss is one of the biggest threats to bees. They need places where they can find food and build their hives. They need flowers and trees. And many bees build their nests underground. Their babies grow up there and...

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Hello, and welcome back to Wondero-wait, hold on a minute. Do you hear that? If not, maybe you see them. You might even be able to feel the vibration from all the noise they're making. What are we talking about? The ruckus caused by this giant swarm of cicadas, of course!

If you live in or near a cicada habitat, you know what we mean. These small insects can be quite loud. Males of the make most of the noise. They vibrate membranes on their to buzz, producing a mating call like none other.

In fact, swarms of buzzing cicadas have been known to reach 100 decibels. Are you WONDERing just how loud that is? Imagine standing just a few feet away from a revving motorcycle. Yes, they are that loud! It's also similar to being near a chainsaw or next to a speaker at a concert.

Of course, their noise isn't the only thing that makes cicadas unique. If you live in North America, you may already know the buzz of the cicadas as a rare occurrence. In fact, in many places, it only happens once every 17 years!

Why is that? North America is home to 15 of periodical cicadas. Of the over 3,000 of this insect, those on this continent are the only ones considered periodical . Like all cicadas, they live most of their lives underground. However, 12 of these only every 17 years. The other three every 13 years.

Elsewhere on the planet, cicadas each year. These are called annual cicadas, and they live much shorter lives than periodical -between two and five years. They still only once in their lives-in order to mate. However, their life cycles overlap so that a brood of the insects come above ground each year.

Why do some only every 17 years? It has to do with the cicada life cycle. First, female cicadas lay eggs-up to 400 of them. Once these eggs hatch, cicadas and burrow into the ground. There, they feed on liquid from plant roots. They spend between four and 17 years in this phase of life.

Finally, the cicada emerges to become an adult. While above ground, they feed on sap from twigs and other vegetation. They also , meaning they shed their exoskeleton . You may have seen the results of this process before. Adult cicadas leave behind an empty shell of their previous form.

Scientists aren't certain what causes a brood to every 13 or 17 years. However, they believe the cycle has to help cicadas avoid predators. The insects are food for many animals, including birds, lizards, and sometimes humans. By emerging at strategic times, cicadas may avoid some dangers and have a more successful mating season.

Have you ever heard the buzz of a cicada brood? Maybe you've seen the exoskeletons left behind by their . One thing is certain-cicadas are some of the most unique creatures on planet Earth!

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We hope this isn't bROOD, but we're here to remind you about another BUZZworthy Wonder of the Day!

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Do you love the great outdoors? Many people see summer as the perfect time to enjoy nature. They go on hikes, camping trips, or even just long walks. If that sounds like you, you may have run across the subject of today's Wonder of the Day before.

Who is it? The dragonfly, of course! When you see a dragonfly up close, it's easy to see how they got their name. They don't actually breathe fire, but they do look a bit fierce-like the dragon they're named after.

Dragonflies have been around for a long time. Experts believe they existed over 300 million years ago. One fossil reveals that ancient dragonflies may have had a of over two feet (about 76 centimeters)! The largest dragonfly alive today lives in Costa Rica. Its is just a little over seven inches (or about 18 centimeters).

One of the most features of the dragonfly is its large eyes. Unlike human eyes that have just one , dragonfly eyes are made of up to 30,000 separate lenses! Its eyes enable a dragonfly to see all around it. Unfortunately, despite their many lenses, dragonflies don't see details very well.

Dragonflies are some of the fastest, best fliers in the insect world. They can fly in loops, , and even fly backward. A dragonfly in Australia was measured flying at a speed of 60 miles per hour.

Dragonflies put their speed to good use. They are predators that eat other insects. Their favorite snacks are mosquitoes, gnats, flies, bees, ants, and wasps.

Right after dragonflies hatch, they are called nymphs. They may live in the water for several years. This is why you will often find dragonflies around water, such as , lakes, ponds, and wetlands. Once they leave the water and begin to fly, though, they only live for about a month.

Where can you find dragonflies? Just about anywhere! In fact, there are about 3,000 different types of dragonflies around the world.

Various cultures have seen dragonflies differently over the years. In Europe, for example, dragonflies have often been viewed as evil. In Japan, though, they are seen as of , strength, and happiness. There, people often feature dragonflies in art and literature , particularly haiku.

Have you ever seen a dragonfly? Could you see where it got its name? Maybe you were inspired to write a beautiful poem about it yourself! Many people consider dragonflies some of the most beautiful insects around.

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Make sure you don't miss today's fire-breathing Wonder of the Day!

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Do you know why ladybugs have spots? Some people believe that ladybug spots can tell you the . In some countries, people believe that, if a ladybug lands on you, the spots can tell you how many children you will have someday.

Some farmers even used to believe that ladybug spots would tell you about their . If the ladybug had seven spots or less, it would be a great .

Many ladybugs in North America are red and have seven black spots. Ladybugs do not just have black spots, though. Ladybugs from other places around the world can be many different colors, such as bright red, white, yellow, , and even black. Black ladybugs can have red or spots. Common ladybugs can have between two and seven spots. However, ladybugs even have stripes or no spots at all!

You may think ladybugs are born with spots, but that's not the case. There are many stages of a ladybug's life. The ladybug starts its life off as an . Then it hatches out of its as a larva. are born with gray and black bodies. They have legs and a bright face. They grow bigger each day and become a . Next, they become ladybugs. Finally, female ladybugs have eggs of their own.

Why do you think ladybugs have spots? Can a ladybug's spots help them to survive in the wild? Ladybugs are not , but they . If a bird ate a ladybug, the bird would get sick but not die. A ladybug's colors serve as a warning to predators.

When the bird sees the red, , yellow, and black colors of the ladybug, the bird thinks, "Ewwww! Disgusting ! Stay away!" The bird remembers that if they eat a ladybug, they will get sick.

The idea that ladybugs can tell you how many kids you will have someday is just a . And the spots can't make predictions of a good or the .

A ladybug's spots and colors are important to their survival. The red, black, , and yellow colors can warn predators to stay away. Although ladybug's spots do not help humans, they do us in many ways.

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Wonderopolis is the spot to be today! Won't you join us?

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Today's Wonder of the Day was inspired by Matisse. Matisse Wonders, " What is the purpose of a firefly's light? " Thanks for WONDERing with us, Matisse!

Do you love warm summer evenings? We do! There's nothing better than sitting around a campfire in your backyard while you roast marshmallows for s'mores and look for lightning bugs.

Lightning bugs - also known as fireflies - are so easy to spot during the night when their lights bright. But where do they go when the Sun rises?

Do they underground to wait for the night to return? Maybe they bathe in the sunlight to recharge their lights?

Fireflies don't underground . They also don't need sunlight to recharge their lights. So why don't we notice them during the day? Where do they go?

Fireflies are interesting creatures, and there's a lot about them that still scientists.

For example, fireflies aren't really flies at all. They're beetles! And there are over 2,000 of them that can be found all over the world. Not all firefly , though. In fact, most fireflies west of the Rocky Mountains in the United States do not .

Fireflies that do so when mixes with a called luciferin, an called luciferase, and a called adenosine triphosphate. This process is known as bioluminescence . Fireflies light up after dark in order to attract mates.

Since fireflies are insects, they spend most of their daylight hours on the ground amongst tall grasses. Long grass helps to hide fireflies during the day, so you're unlikely to see them unless you're on your hands and knees looking for them.

Another reason you might not notice fireflies during the day is that they might not be there! Fireflies have very short life cycles. Adult fireflies live only long enough to mate and lay eggs. Some scientists believe fireflies may not even need to eat during their adult period. Firefly usually live about one year (from one mating to the next) before they become adults and give birth to the next generation of fireflies.

So even though you might not see fireflies once the Sun comes up, they're hanging around amongst the tall grasses. If you look for them, you'll find them. Of course, if you're like most people, you'd rather simply wait for dusk when they come to life and shine their lights for all to see!

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Where Do Lightning Bugs Go During the Day?

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Today's Wonder of the Day is best viewed in the dark!

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It's a quiet, warm summer evening with no human in sight for miles in the woods. As the sun sets, tiny flashes of light start to flicker throughout the trees. At first there's just a few, but soon hundreds of blinking lights are floating in the forest.

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All About Bees for Kids: Bee Facts and Information for Children - FreeSchool

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How Do Bees Make Honey? | COLOSSAL QUESTIONS

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Everything You Didn't Know About Grasshoppers

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The Strange Thing That Turns Grasshoppers Into Locusts

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Praying Mantis Vs Wasp | Wild Europe | National Geographic Wild

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Dung Beetle Rolls Enormous Dung Ball with Difficulty (4K)

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The Life Cycle Of An Ant - Ant Life Cycle Lesson For Kids

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Why Dragonflies Are Even More Magical Than You Think

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Science for kids - Head Lice | Body Parts | Experiments for kids | Operation Ouch

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What Causes Head Lice? | Treatment For Head Lice | The Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz

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How Lice Turn Your Hair Into Their Jungle Gym | Deep Look

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Walking Stick facts: aka stick and leaf bugs | Animal Fact Files

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Walking Sticks Stop, Drop and Clone to Survive | Deep Look

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This is a video of the stick insect taken from the BBC's Life in the Undergrowth documentary series.

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Let's Find Some Bugs | Caitie's Classroom

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African Dung Beetle | National Geographic

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These Dung Beetles Won’t Let Buffalos Slow Them Down 🪲 Dung Dynasty | Smithsonian Channel

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Nature’s road cleaners: Dung beetles navigate by sun, moon and stars

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How Do Bees Make Honey? | COLOSSAL QUESTIONS - YouTube

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How Do Bees Make Honey? | COLOSSAL QUESTIONS

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🐜 ALL ABOUT ANTS 🐜 | 5 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT ANTS 🤯 | EXPLORER MAX

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Watch a Breathtaking Monarch Butterfly Swarm

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Monarch Migration and Metamorphosis | Incredible Animal Journeys | National Geographic

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The Amazing Monarch Life Cycle--narrated for elementary science lessons

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Are butterflies the only animals that start out as caterpillars?

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Learn All About Caterpillars (Facts For Kids)

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The Life Cycle of a Butterfly - Science for Kids