Parents, grab your kids and head for the hills! Parts of the Midwest will soon be buzzing with flying red-eyed alien looking insects called Cicadas. These crawfish-size insects (think grasshoppers on steroids) are about to appear in areas of Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana. And what a sight to see!

Here’s the story: Cicada nymphs spend 17 years deep underground sucking the sap out of tree roots. When the moment is right, tens of millions of Cicadas emerge within days, even hours of each other for a breathtaking 30 day journey.

The nymphs struggle their way through the earth, break through the top soil and climb the closest tree, mail box, or light-post for their final molt. Molting is to bugs what shedding is to reptiles. The Cicada sucks in air until its exoskeleton splits. Slowly the fully developed adult crawls out of its old shell revealing developed wings that will carry it through the next 30 days of pure mating pleasure.

These harmless insects will not bite or sting. In fact, they will not even eat. There sole purpose for the next 30 days is to mate and die. In the process they create buzz…a lot of buzz!

The males’ mating calls are so loud they can drown out a kitchen sink disposal. At 90 decibels each it can either wreak havoc on outdoor picnics or be an amazing air and sound show never to forgotten.

The last emergence was in 2004. I was vacationing with my family in Bucks County, Pennsylvania when the periodical Cicadas emerged. At first it was a bit frightening, especially for the kids, okay, I was a bit freaked out too, but it really was an incredible sight to see and just as wonderful to hear. The sounds were beyond comparison. You can practically get lifted away in all the buzz.

Cicadas provide a nutritious treat to thousands of species of birds, forest mammals, reptiles, amphibians, even humans. What? People eat Cicadas!? Yes, and they are pack full of protein and flavor. Many people in countries around the world eat Cicadas as a delicacy. For Cicada and other delicious insect recipes please visit www.coolbugstuff.com

This massive emergence is called Brood XIII. The best places to see them break free of their earthly tombs are wherever mature trees are plentiful. Bring your camera, video recorder and goggles. After 17 years of being underground their flying can be a bit clumsy. Cicadas are known to fly into…well, your neck of the woods.

Bio - Seth "Bugmaster" Prezant is the president of Wacky Wild Science. His education company provides in-school, in-camp, and after-care science presentations in addition to birthday parties for both boys and girls. The Bugmaster can be reached at 954-562-6803 or www.WackyWild.com.