A 17-year event of cicadas will take place in 2021. Trillions of crazy flying bugs appear from the ground annoying you with their mating call and courting. They have been lurking beneath your feet since 2004.
I’m speaking of The Great Eastern Brood of periodical cicadas which emerge in 2021 from their underground dwelling and yes, in the trillions. This brood is substantial compared to other 17-year cycle broods. The Great Eastern Brood, otherwise recognized as Brood X or Brood 10, enjoys the greatest range and concentration of any 17 year-cicadas.
Brood X span 15 states including Delaware, Illinois, Georgia, Indiana, New York, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Michigan, and in Washington D.C.
When emerging, they surface and prepare for the next generation. They lay eggs and perish after a few weeks. Dormant for long periods, vast emergence and short surface time, equip broods to endure each cycle.
What are Periodical Cicadas?
Cicadas are often confused with Locusts. Cicadas are true bugs, whereas Locusts are grasshoppers.
Almost their full existence is underground, sustaining on plant root fluids from trees that shed leaves. When these cicadas emerge in the springtime, it’s as an adult. A short 4-6 weeks as adults, their exclusive purpose is to reproduce.
When do Periodical Cicadas Emerge?
One sign of emergence is soil temperature. When 8 inches below the surface, soil reaches 64oF or 17.9oC ascent starts. For Brood X, often in late May or early June.
They are easy and natural targets for birds, squirrels and other mammals, including humans. They sometimes arrive in numbers over 1.5 million per acre. This helps continued survival by overwhelming predators.
What impact do Periodical cicadas have?
Adult males will make loud sounds to entice a mate. Females will respond, showing they are receptive. When a group of males hears females responding, males’ combined sound reach between 80 and 100 decibels. On top of mating calls, males display a distinctive sound when near individual females. These noises become uncomfortable for individuals.
They also impact trees and plants. A year prior to their emergence, trees decline because preparing cicadas increase feeding. When females lay eggs, they damage crops and plants during the process. Extensive damage causes plants to suffer.
Animals are impacted too. Animals feed on cicadas at various developmental stages. Subterranean animals foraging on cicadas do well before emergence, but populations decline after. Likewise, animals feeding on cicadas after their emergence respond well.
Is there reason to be alarmed?
Outside the noise nuisance during mating, the idea of trillions of bugs flying around driving you and animals crazy, humans have little to worry about. They may damage trees, and unless young they will recover. Cover young trees with a mesh net or wait to plant until the fall. Avoid pesticides because they have little affect and may harm other insects.
Did you know?
Native Americans would roast periodical cicadas in heated ovens. This species is edible when cooked. Larva feeding off only plant matter is a clean source of food. Their existence is an inadequate form of sustained nourishment which make them a treat for many.
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