The noisy sounds of billions of red-eyed cicadas are ringing out for the first time since 1998.

Some common life forms, like cicadas, depend on complex symbiotic relationships with specialized microbes to produce essential nutrients.

Cicadas - better known for providing the soundtrack of our hot summer are remarkably interesting animals, they are the longest living insects – 17 years for some species

Bug experts in central Texas say giant cicadas have been churning out their distinctive and annoying noise around the clock. Entomologists said the population boom may have its origin in the heavy rains of 2007, but whatever the reason, it has been impressive, the San Antonio News-Express reported Monday. They usually don't sing all day long or all night long unless there are a whole lot of them, said David Huffman, a Texas State University biology professor.

By Emily Canal, Cape Cod Times, Hyannis, Mass. Jul. 9--SANDWICH -- Talk about lemonade out of lemons: Katheryn Maloney and Brady Cullinan made jewels out of this summer's cicada swarm.