A dog-day cicada , Tibicen spp. Photo by Drees. Photo by Drees.
Adults vary in size and color according to species.
Nymphs resemble wingless adults, are brown and have strong front legs well developed for tunneling in the soil. The periodic cicada species that do occur in Texas complete their life cycles in 13 years, although some emerge almost every year. Adults emerge from April through July, depending upon species and locality. In 6 to 7 weeks, small nymphs hatch from the eggs and drop to the ground. They burrow into the soil seeking tree roots.