This summer, the United States is anticipated to witness the emergence of the giant swarm of cicadas in 221 years, a phenomenon garnering significant attention.
According to reports from esteemed publications such as the Financial Times and the Washington Post on the 20th (local time), from the end of this month until June, specific regions of the United States, including Illinois, are expected to experience substantial noise levels as two broods of periodical cicadas simultaneously surface and become active.
Globally, cicadas encompass approximately 3,000 to 5,000 species. Periodical cicadas primarily inhabit the eastern United States and are categorized into broods following either 13-year or 17-year cycles. The last instance of both broods being active together was recorded in 1803, and this year, after 221 years, their cycles are projected to overlap.
This year is forecasted to mark a period when all periodical cicadas will be active. It is anticipated to have a concentrated impact on 17 states, including Maryland, Iowa, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia, where approximately 1.5 million cicadas per acre, totaling several trillion individuals, will emit their calls simultaneously.
These cicadas are active for about four weeks and emit a distinctive whistling sound. Following mating and egg-laying by the females, adult cicadas perish, marking the end of their cycle. The hatched larvae fall from trees, burrow into the ground, and commence their lifecycle.
Distinguished by their larger body size, red eyes, and membranous wings with visible orange veins, periodical cicadas exhibit distinct characteristics compared to regular cicadas.
Unlike locust swarms, which threaten crops, cicada swarms serve as an ideal food source for birds and are not known to cause harm to humans or crops. However, the noise levels associated with their growing population can become problematic.
John Cooley, a cicada expert at the University of Connecticut, has coined this year’s phenomenon as ‘Cicada-Seddon,’ warning that noise levels in some areas could reach 110 decibels (dB), akin to standing next to a jet engine and potentially causing discomfort. For reference, the noise generated by a passing motorcycle or a train crossing tracks typically measures around 100 decibels.
Meanwhile, biologists and climatologists studying cicadas are expressing anticipation for the phenomenon appearing for the first time in 221 years.
They plan to research whether interbreeding is possible between the two broods, given confirmed cases where a brood with a 17-year cycle has shifted to a 13-year cycle due to climate change, whether the emergence of cicada swarms increases bird populations, and how fungal infections progress.
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