“In places where they’re going to be present, it’s going to be spectacular. There could be as many as 1 billion cicadas emerging per square mile,” Michael Raupp, a professor of entomology at the University of Maryland, told 1010 WINS. Translation: Ick!
Cicadas spend most of their lives underground. Near the end of their lifespans they emerge to climb trees, shed their exoskeletons, sing, fly and mate. Both females and males die soon after the females lay their eggs. The next generation will emerge in 2030 to repeat the cycle all over again.
Aside from the mess and the loud mating calls, these swarms of critters are harmless. But their homecoming in the last stage of their lives is unforgettable to those who experience it thanks, in part, to how they serenade whole neighborhoods with their loud chorus of chirping.
"Most people say it is like a science-fiction movie UFO sound,” cicada researcher Dan Mozgai wrote to Yahoo News in an email.
Borg said:My wife was driven crazy by the last big invasion here in 2004. She panicked so bad one time that she almost ran in front of a car. My big fear is that she'll see one in the car while she's driving.
Thanks, phinds. She will definitely have all of the windows closed. I'm more worried about one getting in while she's at work or slipping in as she enters the car and not announcing its presence until she's driving down the road.phinds said:When that big one came that I mentioned above, I was driving a car that had a wing vent and one of them bounced off the vent and smacked me right in the face while I was doing about 70 on the Washington Beltway. A bit scary there for a moment. Hope nothing like that happens to you wife.
Lol. So much they don't know...so little time. Of course they're here to mate, I'm surprised that they even care. Wait, it's the Onion! Hah! Cicadas don't care!lisab said:17-Year Cicadas Horrified To Learn About 9/11
http://www.theonion.com/articles/17year-cicadas-horrified-to-learn-about-911,32341/
lisab said:17-Year Cicadas Horrified To Learn About 9/11
http://www.theonion.com/articles/17year-cicadas-horrified-to-learn-about-911,32341/
Cicadas return after 17 years due to a natural phenomenon known as "periodical cicada emergence." This is when a large number of cicadas emerge from the ground at the same time after spending 17 years underground as nymphs.
The 17-year cycle of cicada emergence is believed to be an evolutionary adaptation that helps them avoid predators. By emerging in such large numbers and in sync, the chances of survival for individual cicadas are increased.
Yes, there are different "broods" of cicadas that emerge in different years. The brood that is emerging in a particular year is determined by the geographical location and is specific to that region.
After emerging as nymphs, cicadas will spend about 4-6 weeks above ground. During this time, they will mate, lay eggs, and eventually die. Their offspring will then burrow underground and the cycle will repeat in another 17 years.
Cicadas do not pose any direct threat to humans. They do not bite or sting and are not known to transmit any diseases. However, their loud mating calls can be quite noisy and can be a nuisance to some people. Additionally, their sheer numbers can cause damage to trees and plants, but this is usually not significant enough to cause long-term harm.