Kentucky is often referred to as the land of horses, bourbon, and bluegrass, and it will soon welcome a large influx of Cicadas.
Billions of these winged insects will begin to emerge from their infamous underground mating rituals, having spent weeks below the surface.
This year, Cicadas are expected to emerge in nearly 12 states, with the highest concentration occurring in Kentucky and Tennessee. They will also be spotted in parts of Illinois, Indiana, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York.
Some locals refer to them simply as “Chicada” this season due to their prominence in Kentucky.
“They’re the experts in entomology at the University of Kentucky,” noted Jonathan Larson, assistant professor of entomology.
Seven different types of cicadas can be found in North America, appearing every 13 or 17 years depending on their species. USDA Forest Bureau
These are known as regular Cicadas, which spend a predetermined number of years underground before surfacing to find mates. Seven species of these cicadas exist in North America, emerging either every 13 years or every 17 years.
This year’s Cicadas belong to Brood XIV, which follows a 17-year cycle.
Larson remarked that the nickname “bourbon chick” fits well, as the lifecycle of these insects parallels the distillation process of Kentucky’s renowned whiskey.
“We let the bourbon age,” Larson explained. “It’s placed in barrels in the dark for an extended period, which is somewhat similar.”
Larson mentioned that sightings of Cicadas have already started in southern Kentucky counties, but the main event will kick off in the coming weeks as the soil temperature rises.
“I anticipate that in the next two weeks, we will really see them everywhere,” he said.
When that time comes, certain areas will be literally swarming with Cicadas. However, it’s not just their sheer numbers that create an unforgettable experience; it’s the distinct high-pitched noise they make as well.
Cicadas can produce sounds reaching up to 100 decibels, which is actually their mating call used to attract females. After emerging, females only have a few weeks to find mates and lay eggs before they die.
“It’s all wild and beautiful, strange and wonderful,” Larson enthused.
While Cicadas pose no danger to humans, they can become quite bothersome, particularly when large amounts of their bodies accumulate post-mortem.
“During the early stages, there’s no unpleasant odor, but about five weeks later, if enough die in one spot, a decomposing smell can develop,” Larson noted.
Although thousands of cicada species are found globally, regular cicadas are unique for spending the majority of their lives underground, feeding on tree roots, before surfacing every 13 or 17 years.
Typically, the first Cicadas surface in early to mid-May, but most often they emerge in June when temperatures rise. Larson stated that cicadas generally wait for the soil to reach approximately 64 degrees Fahrenheit before breaking through.
Their reliance on environmental signals raises questions about the impact of climate change on Cicadas and their mating rituals.
“If it’s warmer sooner this year, they might start emerging earlier than expected,” Larson explained, noting the potential for extreme weather events like flooding or freezing, which have been prevalent in Kentucky recently.
This area remains a focal point of research as scientists investigate the long-term effects of climate change on Cicada populations.
In the meantime, Larson and other entomology enthusiasts from various states are gearing up to witness this remarkable phenomenon.
“I hope people take the time to experience it,” Larson encouraged. “What’s happening here is unique; you won’t find this anywhere else, so we suggest engaging in Cicada tourism if you can.”
Citizen scientists can also contribute to research by snapping photos and recording geographical details of sightings using the CICADA SAFARI app.
Here’s a question you might want to skip while enjoying a meal: Which animal has the fastest urine stream in the world? Is it the elephant? The lion? Perhaps the horse?
Interestingly, as revealed in a journal study Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, one of the unexpected contenders is the CICADA. Researchers, likely equipped with goggles, found that these tiny insects can shoot their pee at speeds of up to 3 meters per second.
While that’s quite astonishing, billions—possibly trillions—of cicadas emerged in the US in 2017, possibly making you reconsider your summer plans.
So, should you be hiding away until the cicada frenzy subsides? Experts say that it might be wise, but it may not be for the reasons you think…
What are Cicadas and why are they headed our way?
“Cicadas are remarkable insects known for their unique life cycle and distinctive sounds,” says Dr. Elio Charita, one of the primary researchers on their urination studies at BBC Science Focus. “These sap-sucking insects belong to the order Hemiptera and can be found in temperate and tropical regions worldwide.”
Cicadas can grow quite large and are, indeed, very noisy. Their calls can reach volumes comparable to a chainsaw.
“One intriguing aspect of cicadas is their long juvenile phase, during which they spend several years underground feeding on plant roots. Depending on the species, this phase can last from a few years to 17,” Charita continues.
This year, the US will witness the significant emergence of Brood XIV, the most extensive group of regular cicada broods, as noted by the University of Connecticut.
After spending over a decade underground, these fascinating insects will appear en masse for a brief but enthusiastic mating season. Expect to see them across much of the eastern US, including states like Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
If their activity persists until late June, prepare for their numbers to swell at any moment.
For more on the cicada life cycle, be sure to check out our detailed article.
Is it time to prepare for a pee-pocalypse?
Before stocking up on canned goods and toilet paper this summer, Dr. Jonathan Larson, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky, tells BBC Science Focus that there’s really not much to worry about.
“For many, the thought of a swarm of six-legged bugs might recall sci-fi movies, but in reality, it’s more of a spectacular, almost Mardi Gras-like experience.”
Though large, cicadas pose no threat to humans, animals, or crops.
Larson also points out that compared to the Peruvian cicada species, which emerges annually, US cicadas are expected to feed and urinate less during their short lifespan.
Read more:
“In our studies, we find that these US species feed far less as adults compared to some others. When they emerge, their primary focus is finding a mate,” Larson explains.
Nevertheless, they still spend time feeding and urinating. Charita notes that cicadas have been seen urinating jets, even captured on camera.
Another upside (if you can call it that) is that cicada urine isn’t like that of larger animals. As mentioned, cicadas primarily excrete sap from trees, which is the same substance that forms the basis of maple syrup. Thus, what drips down is a sweet, watery substance known as “honeydew.”
Although it has a delightful name, I wouldn’t recommend tasting cicada pee this summer, but at least if it lands on you during a walk, it won’t be unpleasant.
As Larson says, “You can leave your umbrellas at home; these cicadas aren’t a big problem.” Phew.
“Watch your step.”
So, while cicada pee is remarkably fast, it’s not a major concern. According to Larson, the real issue arises when they die, not when they urinate.
“They tend to die en masse, creating piles of carcasses, which can lead to slippery sidewalks. I think that’s a more significant issue to worry about,” Larson says.
How significant could this be? Reports from 1990 indicated that people used snow shovels to clear sidewalks of dead cicadas.
What’s even worse is that when billions of these bugs die simultaneously, it leaves behind a nasty odor. Some have described the stench as reminiscent of rotten nuts.
Billions of cicadas emerge from the ground, mate, and soon after die. – Image credits: Getty
On the bright side, this process enriches the soil with nutrients, such as nitrogen. Although the smell may be unpleasant, these insects are beneficial to the ecosystem.
How Cicada Pee Could Inspire Future Robots
According to Charita, the fact that cicadas can generate such powerful urine jets is surprising for two reasons.
Most insects don’t exhibit this behavior because producing jets like larger animals demands a significant amount of energy. Typically, insects excrete urine in droplets. And since cicadas primarily consume sap with low nutritional content, this adds another layer of energy efficiency issues.
Moreover, earlier studies suggested that creatures weighing less than a kilogram are too small to generate such powerful jets, making cicadas’ ability unexpected.
Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for a variety of reasons. Given that cicada populations can number in the trillions, their role in environmental nitrogen cycling may be significant.
“We still do not fully grasp the ecological effects of cicada excretion on surrounding flora and fauna, especially for the seasonal species,” Charita notes.
Cicadas can produce jets of liquid traveling up to 3 meters per second. – Image credit: Elio Challita
When feeding, cicadas consume up to 300 times their body weight in sap daily, and all that sap has to go somewhere.
The research team also considers broader applications for this work. Insights gained could lead to advancements in small robotic jets, nozzles, and various applications in additive manufacturing and drug delivery systems.
“Our study underscores the significance of exploring seemingly trivial aspects of animal biology, such as excretion,” concludes Charita. “Investigating these processes reveals fascinating adaptations and illuminates how animals interact with their environments.”
“It also serves as a reminder that even in the most unexpected places, there’s still much to learn about the natural world.”
About our Experts
Elio Charita is a postdoctoral researcher at the Harvard Microrobotics Research Institute. He previously worked at Georgia Tech, where he studied how ultrafast invertebrates (including insects, hexapods, and arachnids) tackle challenges in fluid dynamics (e.g., feeding, excretion, predator evasion, etc.).
Jonathan Larson is an extension entomologist and assistant professor at the University of Kentucky, providing insect expertise for urban landscapes, turfgrass, nurseries, greenhouses, and household issues. He also co-hosts an informative insect podcast, Arthro-Pod.
With their bulging red eyes and alien-like mating sounds, periodical cicadas may seem scary and weird, but some of them are speed-freak, sex-crazed zombies that have been hijacked by super-sized fungi.
West Virginia University mycology professor Matt Casson, his 9-year-old son Oliver, and graduate student Angie Macias have been tracking a pesky fungus called Massospora cicadina, the only fungus on Earth that can hijack an animal’s body to make amphetamines (a drug known as speed)—and sure enough, it’s taking over cicadas, increasing their sex drive and spreading a parasite that’s transmitted sexually.
“They’re zombies, totally at the mercy of the fungus,” says John Cooley, a cicada researcher at the University of Connecticut.
The fungus has the largest genome of any known fungus—about 1.5 billion base pairs, Casson says, making it about 30 times longer than any common fungus we know—and while the periodical cicada lives underground for 17 years (13 years in the southern U.S.), its spores typically remain underground as well.
“It’s been a mycological oddity for a long time,” says Casson, “and it has the largest genome, produces wild compounds, keeps its host active, and has a whole host of other strange characteristics.”
Matt Cusson, a professor of mycology at West Virginia University, dissects fungal tissue from the posterior abdomen of a female periodical cicada infected with the fungus Massospora cicadina.Carolyn Custer/AP
This year, Casson decided to ask people to send him infected cicadas from around the country, and despite his injured leg, he, his son, and Mathias traveled from West Virginia to the Morton Arboretum outside Chicago, where they reported a fungus that takes over the lower half of the cicada’s body, discarding its reproductive organs and replacing them with a rather conspicuous mass that’s white, sticky but flaky. The spores then spill out like salt from a shaker.
Infected cicadas can be hard to spot.
Ten seconds after jumping off the golf cart, Macias was in the trees, looking around. She triumphantly raised the semi in the air and shouted, “I got it!”
“That was just luck,” Oliver complained.”
“Luck, eh? Good luck,” Macias replies.
Ten seconds later, Oliver spotted another bird in the bushes next to him, and a little later the photographer spotted a third.
Casson is tracking the only bacteria on Earth that produces amphetamines in living organisms when it takes control of them.Carolyn Custer/AP
Kasson and his small team collected 36 infected cicadas during a quick trip around Chicago, and another 200 or so have been sent in from elsewhere. He’s still waiting for the results of an RNA analysis of the fungus.
Some cicada experts estimate that one in every 1,000 periodical cicadas is infected with the fungus, but that’s just a guess, says Gene Kritsky, a biologist at Mount St. Joseph University who has written a book about the fungus. This year’s unique double appearanceHe said the numbers could be skewed because healthy cicadas tend to stay higher in trees.
“This year’s fungal situation is business as usual and not particularly unusual,” Cooley said in an email.
Scientists debate whether the fungus burrows deep underground and then infects the cicadas that emerge after 13 or 17 years, or whether it infects newly hatched larvae as they make their way underground for more than a decade.
The fungus isn’t a parasite that kills its host, but rather needs to keep it alive, Casson said. Infected cicadas will try to mate with other cicadas, spreading the spores to their mates/victims. Males may also become hypersexual and pose as females to lure and infect other males, Casson said.
Test tubes containing live periodical cicadas infected with the fungus Massospora cicadina await field processing at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, on June 6, 2024.Carolyn Custer/AP
A related species of the fungus that infects annual cicadas in the West also produces psychoactive compounds in the cicadas that are more similar to hallucinogens like magic mushrooms, Kasson said. That’s why some people, even experts, confuse the amphetamines produced by infected 17- and 13-year cicadas with the highly hallucinogenic compounds in the annual insects, he said.
Out of scientific curiosity, Casson experimented on one during this emergence, ensuring that it was taken from the body of a female, which was more sterile.
“It was really bitter,” Cason said, explaining that she quickly rinsed her mouth. “It tasted like poison.”
It’s finally here. Once every 200 years, two flocks of periodical cicadas will emerge from the ground.
Across much of the US, billions of winged insects are emerging from the ground in search of a mating opportunity, but an unlucky few have been infected by a mysterious pathogen that is transforming them into flying insects. The salt shaker of death.
Are you locking the door and hiding under the covers? Before you do, hear this: Although zombie insects sound like the plot of a low-budget ’70s horror movie, they’re completely harmless to humans, plants, and pets, so feel free to marvel (probably from afar) as one of nature’s most powerful forces takes control.
Why do cicadas turn into zombies?
Cicada species live all over the planet, but the species currently abundant across the US are called “periodic cicadas,” which spend years underground as larvae before emerging as adults to mate.
Currently, two so-called “swarms” occur simultaneously in parts of the eastern U.S.: one that appears every 13 years, the other every 17. If you live in an area where this phenomenon is occurring, you’ll notice that it’s accompanied by a noise that’s louder than traffic.
The current occupation is expected to continue until the end of June, by which time most of the cicadas will have died and their eggs will have hatched and burrowed underground for another 13 to 17 years.
“One of the main reasons for this periodic emergence is to prevent predators from developing specialized ways to catch them,” says Dr. Jonathan Larson, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky. BBC Science Focus.
The only exception, Larson said, is Massospora cicadaina. “It’s likely that the disease will play a long game and remain dormant and not cause any symptoms until the cicadas emerge as adults above ground,” he said.
Once above ground, the infected cicada’s normally hollow body fills with white fungal spores and the abdomen bursts open to reveal what Larson describes as a “chalky white mass.”
Once exposed, the spores are free to infect other cicadas…
read more:
How bacteria reproduce
Imagine a third of your body being filled with a harmful pathogen. You might not feel too great, and for good reason. However, infected cicadas can carry on with life as normal. In fact, the fungus changes the cicada’s behavior in some pretty significant ways.
“They can continue to act normally as if they are not infected, which allows them to continue spreading the virus,” Larson explains.
What is normal cicada behavior? After 17 years (or 13) underground, all they have on their mind is finding a mate. Male cicadas shake their abdomens to attract females, hence the loud explosion. Infected males do the same, killing unsuspecting females.
But the fungus has another trick up its sleeve.
“Female cicadas flap their wings in response to the loud, boisterous calls of males,” Larson explains, “but if the males are infected, they also start flapping their wings, fooling other males into thinking they’re mating with the female.”
How cicadas manage to stay alive with so many parts of their bodies packed with spores remains a mystery, but scientists have found some clues in recent years.
Billions of cicadas will emerge in the United States this year in a once-in-200-year event. – Image credit: Getty
For example, a study published in the journal Fungal EcologyIt turns out that the fungus produces a type of amphetamine in its mass, which is used as a powerful human stimulant. Massospora Cicadina Will it stick?
Larson explains that it’s not clear exactly how the psychoactive substances affect the cicadas, but that the insects must be stimulated in some way. “That’s the real zombification part: They’re doing their job, they’re alive, but they’re just going through the motions. The lights are on, but no one’s home,” Larson says.
Should we worry about zombies?
First, the percentage of infected insects is very small, less than 5%, but 5% out of billions or even trillions of insects is still a lot of zombies flying around.
Thankfully, this fungus is specialized for cicadas. Massospora Cicadina ‘ is just a little hint so you don’t have to worry about infecting yourself.
“Transmission tends to be very localized, so while there are hotspots, it’s not common everywhere,” Larson said.
However, if you are planning to eat cicadas, you should definitely be careful. Yes, there are a lot of people out there who eat cicadas. Spicy Popcorn Cicada RecipeIf you’re interested, however, you should definitely avoid eating infected varieties.
“If you’re catching cicadas, the infected ones will be noticeably different,” Larson says. “If some fall off and you see a whitish lump, throw it away and don’t eat it.” Who would have thought eating insects infected with a pathogenic zombie fungus would be a bad idea? Everyone would.
About our experts
Jonathan Larson He is an entomologist and assistant professor at the University of Kentucky who provides his insect expertise to those dealing with problems in urban landscapes, lawns, nurseries, greenhouses and the home, and he is co-host of the informative insect podcast, The Insect Podcast. Arthropods.
Here’s a question you probably shouldn’t think about while eating. What is the fastest peeing animal on earth? Elephants? Lions? Horse?
According to the magazine’s recent research, there’s one surprising candidate. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: cicada. After studying urine flow throughout the animal kingdom, some scientists (preferably wearing goggles) have discovered that this tiny insect can spray pee at speeds of up to 3 meters per second. This is about three times faster than the average human.
So far so bad. But when you add that to the fact that a once-in-200-year event will soon see billions, perhaps trillions, of birds across the United States, you might start to feel a little nervous about your summer plans…
Now, is it time to hide out until the cicada storm passes? Experts say it probably is, but not for the reasons you might think…
What are cicadas and why do they come towards us?
“Cicadas are truly fascinating insects, known for their unique life cycles and unique sounds.” Dr. Elio Charita says the lead author of their urinary study. BBC Science Focus. “They belong to the order Hemiptera, are sap-feeding insects, and are found in temperate and tropical regions around the world.”
Cicadas can grow quite large, in some cases as large as hummingbirds, but in reality they really are quite noisy. In fact, their cries, clicks, and crackles are as noisy as a chainsaw.
“One of the most interesting things about cicadas is that they have a long larval stage, during which they stay underground for several years and feed on plant roots. Depending on the species, this stage lasts anywhere from a few years to 17 years. It can continue,” Charita continues.
This year, two “family members” of the so-called periodic cicadas (one emerges every 13 years, the other every 17 years) are synchronizing in some parts of the eastern United States. This is something that hasn’t happened since 1803 and will not happen again until 2245.
If you want to know more about the cicada life cycle, you can read all about cicadas in our explanatory article.
Is it time to prepare for the pee apocalypse?
Before we started buying canned goods and toilet paper in bulk in preparation for a summer spent indoors, the University of Kentucky entomologist said, Dr. Jonathan Larson, tells you BBC Science Focus Really, there’s no need to worry too much.
“For many people, the idea of a six-legged teenage insect invasion sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, but in reality, it’s a beautiful life experience, just like Mardi Gras.”
Although cicadas are large, they are harmless to people, animals, and crops.
Larson also pointed out that the cicadas found in the recent study were a species that lives in Peru and emerges every year. As a result, they spend more time feeding and urinating than the U.S. species we expect this summer.
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“For species in the United States, we’re talking about species that feed much less as adults than some of the species studied. The periodicals here say that once they emerge as adults, it all comes down to finding a mate,” Larson says.
However, it takes a while for them to eat and pee. Charita explains that periodic cicadas have been observed to urinate on jets before. It was also captured on camera.
…
Another good thing (or should we call it that?) is that cicada pee is completely different from animal pee. As mentioned above, cicadas feed exclusively on the xylem sap of trees. This is the same thing that forms the basis of maple syrup. Therefore, what comes out is a sweet, watery liquid known as “honeydew.”
Despite its delicious name, we don’t recommend drinking cicada pee while walking around this summer, but at least you’ll feel a little less sick if cicada pee falls on your head during a walk.
In other words, as Larson says, “With these cicadas, you can leave your umbrella at home.” Phew.
“Please watch your step.”
So cicadas pee surprisingly fast, but that’s not really a problem. In fact, the bigger problem for Larson would be when he dies, not when he goes to the bathroom.
“They die in groups, so you get big piles of carcasses. If they get stepped on, they can make sidewalks slippery. I think it’s a bigger liquid nightmare,” Larson says.
How bad could this be? In 1990, there was a report as follows. Chigoan has to use a snow shovel to remove dead insects from the sidewalk.
To make matters worse, billions of bugs die and rot at the same time, leaving a terrible stench in the air. Several people explained this. Hmm, a unique smell like rotten nuts.
Billions of cicadas come out of the ground, mate, and then die one after the other. – Image credit: Getty
On the positive side, this process returns many nutrients, including nitrogen, to the ground. So, while they may stink, they benefit the ecosystems they end up in.
How cicada pee can help build future robots
The fact that cicadas urinate in such powerful jets was surprising for two reasons, Charita said.
Most insects do not urinate because it takes a lot of energy to urinate in a jet like larger animals do. Instead, they are excreted as droplets. Cicadas in particular feed on tree sap, which has little nutritional value, making their energetic eviction even more troublesome.
Not only is jet peeing less energy efficient, previous research suggested it would be impossible for animals weighing less than 1 kilogram because their orifices are too small to produce a dense jet.
Understanding this process is important for several reasons. Especially since cicada populations number in the trillions and the impact their excrement has on the environment can be significant.
“We still don’t fully understand the ecological impact of cicada excretion on surrounding flora and fauna, especially in the case of periodic cicadas,” Charita says.
Cicadas can produce jets that travel at speeds of up to 3 meters per second. – Image credit: Elio Challita
When feeding, cicadas can consume 300 times their body weight in sap each day, and all that sap has to go somewhere.
But the team also has other applications for this research in mind. The knowledge gained could be useful for manufacturing jets and nozzles for small robots, and could also be applied to additive manufacturing and possibly drug delivery.
“Our study highlights the importance of studying seemingly mundane aspects of animal biology, such as excretion,” concludes Charita. “Investigating these processes can reveal interesting adaptations and provide insight into how animals interact with their environments.
“It also reminds us that there is still much to discover about the natural world, even in the most unexpected places.”
About our experts
Elio Charita He is a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University’s Microrobotics Institute. Previously, at Georgia Tech, he studied fluid mechanics to help ultra-fast invertebrates (insects, hexapods, and arachnids) perform essential biological functions (e.g., feeding, excretion, and predator avoidance). I was researching how to deal with this issue.
Jonathan Larson He is an extension entomologist and assistant professor at the University of Kentucky, providing insect expertise to those working on urban landscapes, turfgrass, nursery crops, greenhouses, and household problems. He is also the co-host of the Informative Insects Podcast. arthropod.
read more:
“Insect Apocalypse” will feature billions of cicadas. Here’s what you can expect
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Bugs on the brink: Why bugs are disappearing from your garden this year
This spring, in a rare synchronized phenomenon that last occurred in 1803, swarms of two different cicadas, one with a 13-year cycle and two with a 17-year cycle, emerge from the ground at the same time.
Billions of winged insects emerge from the Midwest to the Southeast, beginning in late April in some regions and performing noisy mating rituals that tend to fascinate and disgust in equal measure.
This year’s twin feathering is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Although a particular 13-year offspring and his 17-year offspring may appear at the same time, the cycles of a particular pair align only once in his 221 years. Additionally, this year’s groups of cicadas, known as Brood XIII and Brood XIX, happen to have habitats adjacent to each other and narrowly overlapping in central Illinois.
“The last time these two brothers were on the scene, Thomas Jefferson was president, so is that unusual? Yes.” said Gene Kritsky, author of “A Tale of Two Broods,” a book about this year’s double broods.
After 2024, Brood XIII and Brood XIX cicadas will not synchronize their emergence for another 221 years.
These types of cicadas are regular insects that spend most of their lives underground feeding on tree roots. After 13 or 17 years, depending on the mate, the cicada tunnels to the surface and matures, noisily searching for a mate for a month.
Cicadas typically appear on the surface in the spring when soil temperatures reach about 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
Blue dots on the map indicate Brood XIII cicadas, and red dots are areas where Brood XIX has appeared in the past. These areas may experience periodic cicadas in 2024.semi-safari
The Blued XIII cicada appears in the Midwest, primarily in Illinois, but has also spread to Wisconsin, Ohio, and Iowa. Stage XIX cicadas have been sighted in a much wider geographic area, including Missouri, Illinois, Louisiana, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland.
When these insects emerge, they occur in large numbers. And they are not quiet at all in the mating frenzy.
The insects are known to emit a high-pitched buzz, or mating song, that can reach up to 100 decibels, which is about the same as a motorcycle or a jackhammer.
The insects themselves are harmless to humans, but billions of insects emerge from the ground, making the cicada noisy for several weeks during its lifespan. When that happens, the ground can also be littered with large amounts of dead insects.
In 2019 “ semi-safari This will allow citizen scientists to report cicada sightings from their location.
“I’ve already spoken to six people who want to take a vacation and come to the area for the cicadas,” he said. “In years past, I’ve helped people plan vacations that depart while the cicadas are singing.”
In parts of the Southeast where the Blued XIX cicada occurs, the insects may begin to emerge from underground in late April.
Then, as temperatures warm across the Southeast and Midwest, more cicadas will show up throughout May and June.
When the insect reaches the surface, it sheds its nymph exoskeleton and spreads its wings. It usually takes a few more days for adult skin to harden.
The mating ritual itself is hectic, with cicadas taking only a few weeks to find a mate and lay eggs. This entire process takes approximately 6 weeks.
“By July 1st, they’ll be gone,” Kritsky said.
But while cicadas are on the ground, scientists are keen to track where they appear. Kritsky himself plans to study cicadas in the Chicago area, and hopes people in the Midwest and Southeast will report sightings using the Cicada Safari app.
Mapping insect ranges helps researchers understand how cicadas adapt and change between cycles. During this year’s double emergence, scientists are also interested in whether mating will occur between two different chicks.
But beyond science, Kritsky said this year is also a chance to experience a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon.
“This year marks 50 years since I started researching cicadas,” he says. “Many of us will be in the borderlands of Illinois, driving back and forth, meeting for coffee and eating pie.”
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