Cicadas creep into Chicago

May 20, 2007 (WLS) -- After 17 years of waiting, the cicadas are starting to creep out of the ground. The last time anyone saw or heard these loud insects was back in 1990.

Experts say the cicadas are supposed to come out in masses on May 22, which is Tuesday. But, cicadas, with their red eyes and big wings, have already been spotted in Chicago's south suburbs and other parts of the area.

"I think because I was working in the garden might have stirred them up," said Kirk Moulton, who lives in Palos Park.

In Elmhurst, the cicadas have made an early arrival, as well.

Saturday night around 7:30 p.m., we were out in the front yard playing catch with the boys, and all of a sudden, we saw the grass starting to move. We looked closer and the cicadas were just coming up four or five at a time," said Elmhurst resident John Pastovic.

Cicadas spend 17 years underground feeding on tree roots. When ready to make an arrival, they construct exit tunnels to the surface. For people who have never seen a cicada, naturalist Dan Spencer is conducting a cicada class at the Trailside Museum Nature Center.

"They're absolutely not dangerous in any way," said Spencer. "They don't bite, and they don't sting. The only damage that they sometimes cause is very, very minor damage on very young trees when the female lay their eggs."

Experts say suspect there can be as many as 1.5 million cicadas per acre in heavily wooded areas, like those in Palos Park backyard. Despite their creepy looks, Kirk Moulton's 8-year-old daughter Michelle isn't phased. She's already brought a cicada wing to school.

"My teacher told me to try to find a cicada shell," she said. "So, I brought one in and everybody was creeped out."

The cicadas will be sticking around until the end of the school year. Male cicadas live about a month. Their whole purpose for existing is to mate. The loud noise cicadas make is a mating call. The sound can get up to 90 decibels. Some say it can be as loud as a kitchen blender.

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