Everyone hears the cicada buzzing in the trees this time of year. They’re especially noisy in the trees around Courthouse Square in Prescott. What some people don’t know is that this insect starts its life underground feeding on the roots of trees. When the conditions are right, they will crawl out of the ground and shed their exoskeleton – kind of like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. The only difference is cicadas are dead ugly and make a lot of noise in the trees. Here is a picture of what is left after they shed their skin. You will often find these exoskeletons attached to sides of building and trees.