Cicadas incoming: Billions to emerge in double-brood invasion
Billions of cicadas are set to pop out of the ground in May and June in a rare synchronized emergence of two broods.
Read more at NBC News
The cicadas are coming! A CU entomologist's take on a once-in-200 ...
For the first time since 1803, these two broods, or generations, of cicadas—Brood XIX and Brood XIII—will rise up from the earth simultaneously in 15 states ...
Read more at CU Boulder Today
Cicadas emerge - 10 things to know with detail
Cicadas are insects known for their loud, buzzing mating calls, which can reach up to 100 decibels. These calls are produced by males to attract females for mating.
Cicadas spend the majority of their life underground as nymphs, feeding on the sap from tree roots. They emerge as adults after spending anywhere from 2 to 17 years underground, depending on the species.
The emergence of cicadas is a natural phenomenon known as a "brood." Different broods of cicadas emerge at different times, with some broods emerging annually and others emerging every 13 or 17 years.
Cicadas are not harmful to humans or pets, as they do not bite or sting. They primarily feed on tree sap and do not pose a threat to crops or other plants.
When cicadas emerge, they shed their exoskeletons and emerge as winged adults. They have large, transparent wings and prominent eyes.
Male cicadas produce their loud mating calls by vibrating a specialized organ called a tymbal, located on their abdomen. The sound is amplified by their hollow bodies.
Female cicadas use their ovipositors to lay eggs in the bark of trees. Once the eggs hatch, the nymphs will fall to the ground and burrow underground to begin their long development process.
Cicadas are a valuable food source for birds, mammals, and other predators. They play a role in the ecosystem by providing a food source for other animals.
The emergence of cicadas can have a significant impact on the environment, as their large numbers can overwhelm predators and lead to an increase in population numbers.
While the loud buzzing of cicadas may be annoying to some, their emergence is a natural and fascinating phenomenon that serves as a reminder of the diversity and complexity of the insect world.