This cicada was partially eaten by an unknown predator. The horror story behind this was that the poor creature was still alive! Yikes!!! Photograph taken 1999 - Brood V Findley State Park Lorain County, Ohio

Cicadas live for only a few weeks and drop to the ground upon death. Photograph taken 2004 - Brood X Spring Grove Cemetery Cincinnati, Ohio

This scene is vastly becoming a mass grave. Photograph taken 2004 - Brood X Spring Grove Cemetery Cincinnati, Ohio

This female died with her ovipositor still embedded into her final egg nest! Photograph taken 1999 - Brood V Indian Hollow Reserve Lorain County, Ohio

Piles of the dead and dying. Photograph taken 2004 - Brood X Spring Grove Cemetery Cincinnati, Ohio

As time progresses, the carcasses begin to pile up more and more. Photograph taken 2004 - Brood X Spring Grove Cemetery Cincinnati, Ohio

This unfortunate cicada became trapped during eclosure and will eventually die. Photograph taken 2004 - Brood X Spring Grove Cemetery Cincinnati, Ohio

Some living individuals are trying to struggle through the sea of the dead and dying. Photograph taken 2004 - Brood X Spring Grove Cemetery Cincinnati, Ohio

Victims of the fungal infection, Massospora cicadina. Massospora cicadina. Photograph taken 2004 - Brood X

One poor cicada died involuntarily so another could live. A common problem with overcrowding during a large emergence. Photograph taken 1999 - Brood V Findley State Park Lorain County, Ohio

Ants pick apart the remains of a fallen cicada. Photograph taken 2004 - Brood X

Ants eat hardily during a cicada emergence. Photograph taken 2004 - Brood X

An adult cicada failed to successfully eclose and has trapped itself inside its own exuviae. Photograph taken 2004 - Brood X Spring Grove Cemetery Cincinnati, Ohio

A victim of overcrowded conditions during a mass emergence. Photograph taken 1999 - Brood V Findley State Park Lorain County, Ohio

Adult bodies fall to the ground where death takes them among numerous discarded shells. Photograph taken 2004 - Brood X Spring Grove Cemetery Cincinnati, Ohio

The forest floor can quickly become buried under all of the cicada remains. Photograph taken 2004 - Brood X Spring Grove Cemetery Cincinnati, Ohio

As the cicadas die, their remains become nutrients for the soil and plants. Photograph taken 2004 - Brood X Spring Grove Cemetery Cincinnati, Ohio

This cicada succumbed to a fungal infection known as Massospora cicadina. Photograph taken 1999 - Brood V Findley State Park Lorain County, Ohio

A victim of the fungal infection known as Massospora cicadina.

These cicadas are trying to survive a rain storm while struggling with one another to keep from drowning. Photograph taken 1998 - Brood XIX. Robert Allerton Park Monticello, Illinois

The dead and dying pile up near the bases of trees. Photograph taken 1998 - Brood XIX. Robert Allerton Park Monticello, Illinois

The odor of death and decay can become overwhelming during summer heat. Photograph taken 1998 - Brood XIX. Robert Allerton Park Monticello, Illinois

This cicada takes refuge on the side of a building during rainy weather. Photograph taken 1998 - Brood XIX. Robert Allerton Park Monticello, Illinois

These cicadas are trying to survive a rain storm by clinging to a tree. Storms are believed to decimate as much as 40 percent of a cicada population. Photograph taken 1998 - Brood XIX. Robert Allerton Park Monticello, Illinois

This cicada fell victim to a predatory stink bug nymph. Photograph taken 2004 - Brood X Spring Grove Cemetery Cincinnati, Ohio

Stink Bug nymphs can tackle creatures many times larger than themselves. Photograph taken 2004 - Brood X Spring Grove Cemetery Cincinnati, Ohio

The remains of the deceased litter the ground. Photograph taken 1999 - Brood V Findley State Park Lorain County, Ohio