by Kathleen Castner
The Brood X cicadas have wreaked havoc on our plant for the first time in 17 years. Read on to find out more about these mystical insects.
What are Brood X cicadas?
Colloquially known as periodical cicadas, they are different from annual cicadas. They spend most of their 17-year life cycle underground, feeding on tree roots. In the spring of the 17th year and once soil temperature reaches 64 degrees F, they emerge for two to six weeks. The holes that they come out from are about an inch deep in diameter and are referenced as Cicada holes. These holes could potentially stick up, forming what is known as a “Cicada chimney.” This is beneficial because it aerates the soil and promotes grass growth.
Immediately after emergence, they climb to a vertical tree surface where they shed their exoskeletons and strengthen their wings. Then, mating begins. The males cluster in trees and release a distinguishable, high-pitched clicking sound.
You can expect these cicadas to be around for two to six weeks. Also, the weather may quicken this process. Timothy Best, a board-certified entomologist, explained that “The warmer it is, and the drier it is, the sooner these insects will complete their reproductive cycle and the adults will expire.” Females will begin dying off once they are done laying their eggs. These future cicadas will not wreak havoc until the spring of 2038. All in all, most of them will be gone by the beginning of July.
However, Brood X Cicadas will leave their mark. You can expect to see the exoskeletons of cicadas surrounding the base of trees. You can also expect other structures from cicadas as teen cicadas mature into adult cicadas. Most notably, you can expect millions of dead cicada bodies. These will be around until their predators, including birds and ants, gobble them up. Cicadas are an intriguing source of protein for predators, so don’t worry about them being around too long.
Cicadas are unique because they have increased levels of chitin, a structural material, in their wings. This makes their wings heavier. This is what causes their clumsiness when flying.
What do they look like?
These insects, or nymphs, are characterized by their bright, orange eyes and large wings. This wingspan makes it difficult for them to maneuver themselves and they will often crash into people. The rest of their body is black. At least they don’t bite.
Where will they emerge and for how long?
Fifteen states across the east coast and the midwest will be visited by these insects. The cicadas usually come out around early- to mid-May and stay through late June.
Fun Facts
-Periodical cicadas are attracted to the sound of movers and power tools. This makes them an annoyance for maintenance operations.
-Dogs and cats like to eat periodical cicadas and this is luckily harmless. However, the pets will usually regurgitate the remains of black and orange cicada parts.
-Some Americans have taken this opportunity to cook up some cicadas. Cicadas are a delicacy in other cultures. Scientists think that cicadas are rising in popularity as people look for a more sustainable source of protein. Here are the steps for hunting down and preparing cicadas:
1. Collect your cicadas at night. Do not consume empty shells.
2. Freeze them overnight so that they die off.
3. When you’re ready to cook, remove them from the freezer and rinse well to remove any dirt.
4. Parboil or blanch them for two minutes to “firm them up.”
5. Cook as you like! You can grill them, fry them, or roast them. A popular recipe that has emerged is spicy popcorn cicadas.
-The FDA has warned Americans with seafood allergies to not eat cicadas. This is because they share a relationship with shrimps and lobsters. Just like these shellfish, cicadas have an exoskeleton and jointed appendages.
Sources
1. Miller, K. (2021, June). Now That the Brood X Cicadas Are Here, When Are They Supposed to Leave?. Yahoo Life. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/now-brood-x-cicadas-supposed-202800935.html
2. National Park Service. 2021. Brood X Periodical Cicadas FAQ. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/cicadas-brood-x.htm
3. Sonde, K. (2021, May). Can you eat cicadas? Yes, and here’s the best way to catch, cook and snack on them. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2021/05/05/cicadas-cooking-recipes/
4. University of Connecticut. 2021. General Periodical Cicada Information. https://cicadas.uconn.edu/#