9 Fascinating Facts About Cicadas

Cicadas are among the most fascinating insects due to their unique lifecycle, loud mating calls, and periodic emergence. Here are nine intriguing facts about cicadas that highlight their remarkable nature:

1. Long Lifecycles

Cicadas are known for their unusually long lifecycles, with some species spending up to 17 years underground as nymphs. This period is spent feeding on the sap from tree roots before they emerge to mate, lay eggs, and die.

2. Periodical and Annual Cicadas

There are two main types of cicadas: periodical and annual. Periodical cicadas, including the famous 13- or 17-year cicadas, emerge in large numbers after spending many years underground. Annual cicadas, on the other hand, appear every year and have a shorter lifecycle.

3. Broods

Periodical cicadas are organized into broods. Each brood emerges in a different year and location, with some broods containing millions of individuals. There are 15 recognized broods of 17-year cicadas and 3 broods of 13-year cicadas in the United States.

4. The Loud Song

Cicadas are well-known for their loud mating calls, which can exceed 100 decibels. These sounds are produced by the males using special organs called tymbals. The noise can be deafening in areas with large cicada populations.

5. Camouflage and Predators

Despite their loud calls, cicadas use their green and brown coloration to blend into their surroundings as a defense against predators. However, when they emerge in large numbers, their sheer quantity ensures the survival of the species despite predation.

6. A Delicacy for Wildlife

Cicadas provide a feast for many predators, including birds, squirrels, dogs, and even humans in some cultures. Their emergence is a boon for the local ecosystem, providing a significant source of nutrition for many animals.

7. Cicadas and Trees

Female cicadas lay their eggs in slits they cut in the branches of trees. While this can damage young or weak trees, most healthy trees survive the cicada lifecycle without significant harm.

8. No Harm to Humans

Cicadas are harmless to humans and do not bite or sting. Their emergence is often a curiosity and marvel to people, though their loud songs can be a nuisance to some.

9. Soil Aeration

When cicada nymphs emerge from the ground, they create small holes in the soil, which can help aerate it. This natural process benefits the soil by improving water infiltration and root growth for plants.

Cicadas are a fascinating part of the natural world, with a lifecycle and behaviors that have intrigued scientists and the public alike for centuries. Their periodic emergence is a reminder of the wonders and cycles of nature that occur right beneath our feet.