The 17-year cicada is a type of periodical cicada that emerges from the ground every 17 years. These insects belong to the genus Magicicada and are known for their distinctive loud mating calls. They spend most of their lives underground as nymphs, feeding on the sap of tree roots before emerging as adults. When they finally surface, usually in late spring, they molt into their adult form. After mating, the females lay eggs in tree branches, and the cycle begins anew. The emergence of these cicadas is a significant event, often marked by their synchronized appearance in large numbers.