Illinois Forestry Staff Act Out Cicada Cycle

Forestry workers in Illinois donned insect costumes and put on award-worthy performances in a hilarious explainer video released on May 1 that details how 17-year periodical cicadas will emerge from the ground in the weeks ahead.

The comical video from the DuPage County Forest Preserve District features staff members pretending to be cicadas as they emerge from the soil, climb up trees, and try to attract mates, as the district’s ecology supervisor, Tom Velat, talks through the life cycle of the cicadas.

[jayadam]

This should seriously be submitted for Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film and it should seriously win.

[ultraviolet]

I love and miss Illinois! I learned about Cicada there! It’s so amazing you guys acting this out!! You deserve all the cicada glory!

[JeffCommented]

This is the funniest thing I've seen in a good while. Thank you for making me laugh while educating me.

[ChloeONeill]

This is classic! Thank you, Illinois Forestry Staff, for being informative and highly entertaining!!! Good job!

[Lisa-tnmq]

This is the best thing I've ever seen on YouTube

[hanGun]

Excellent video! Well done. Proof that bug-nerds have a sense of humor. I love it!

[terriwhite]

More. Ideas like this should be shown in school on various subjects. Kids would pay more attention and actually learn something

[elliot]

These comments didn't pass the vibe check. I enjoyed the crap out of this video, thank you!

[smilemoore]

Thank you for this illustration. Unfortunately, I am still terrified of them.😂

[glendacash]

👍👍What a hoot!!"Hey, if I was a fruit fly ..."

[alicek]

Really cute. I liked it a lot. But need a little work on cicada pick-up lines. Try, "Did you just crawl out of a hole? 'Cuz you look FLY!!" "Flick a little closer, babe!" "I've been waiting for you for 17 years (or 13 years, as the brood may be)!" "I like big ovipositors and I cannot lie!"

[davidsamms]

Hilarious! Yet, educational! Brilliant!

[danarzechula]

Had to come back this was so well done😂

[sclogse]

I'm surprised to not see Isabella Rossellini.

[beachgal]

I think they are fascinating. Such an odd life span. But they are loud when they emerge.

[JOSEPHMATTHEWHOLLAND]

Y'all hear them thangs boy sounds wild from Western Kentucky 🇺🇲

[kathybalcom]

That was great! Yes, I agree it should be submitted for the best live action short film.

[ChicagoWheels]

That Dude Is High🎉🎉🎉 I want His Stash🎉🎉🎉😂😂😂😂

[elizabethjohnson]

Thank you! Looks like y'all had a lot of fun doing this as well. ❤❤ 😂😂😂

[sclogse]

What's worse, a Cicada cycle, or an election cycle?