The cicada, commonly known as the robin, has a "lifespan" of about 10 to 13 years to complete a generation. During that time, it lurks underground for about 10 years and spends only 80 days on the ground.

While it lurks underground, it is called a "wakame" and lives by sucking sap from plant roots. The "wakame" has to undergo 5-6 "metamorphosis" before it can be transformed into an "adult", which breaks out of the ground at the end of June each year and climbs up the tree. Each "metamorphosis", "Wakame" will leave a cicada shell, which is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine. In just three months, the "adult" to complete the most important course of life: mating, laying eggs, and then die.