cicada arrives early
Day 70 something. We lost count. But we are still taking the pandemic seriously. Staying home. Staying safe.
But you can go out into the world, just keep your social distance from other people. But, bugs? They are OK.
Case in point: If you attended my Science Caf´talk last August at the zoo, you know I predicted that at least some periodical cicadas would emerge one year early.
This morning at Ijams, our favorite local naturalist Nick Stahlman spotted an insect he knew was unusual, really out of place. A blue-bodied, golden-winged, red-eyed cicada. And it would take a keen eye and understanding of local bug-ology to know that it was a 17-year cicada, one year too early from the rest of Brood X's next emergence of millions, May 2021. The poor thing was out of sync with its tribe. The last time they came out in force was 2004.
These cicadas live underground for 17-years as larvae only to climb out of the ground, molt into winged-adults and find a mate to reproduce before dying. Yet, starting the process all over again.
I predicted this would happen because dozens did emerge three years ago in 2017. Well, it is pretty hard to know the passage of years if you live underground. Click: 2017.
Yet, to date in 2020. Only ONE has been found. Great job Nick.
To know more. There's an entire chapter in my first book Natural Histories about 17-year cicadas.
•
No comments:
Post a Comment