The Return of the Cicadas: A Natural Phenomenon
After a 17-year hiatus, the red-eyed, buzzing cicadas are making their presence known once again in the United States. The last time these insects emerged was back in 2008, a time when global financial concerns were rising, iPhones were considered a luxury, and George W. Bush was in office.
Reports from the citizen-science app Cicada Safari confirm the initial sightings of Brood XIV cicadas in the southern regions of the country. As temperatures warm up in the northern states, millions more of these unique insects are expected to emerge.
Cicadas, belonging to the insect order Hemiptera, are often mistaken for locusts due to their mass emergences, which early English settlers likened to Biblical plagues. Brood XIV was first documented as far back as 1634.
There are approximately 3,500 species of cicadas worldwide, with many still unnamed. However, periodical cicadas, which emerge en masse every 13 or 17 years, are exclusive to the eastern United States, along with two unrelated species found in northeastern India and Fiji, according to cicada expert Chris Simon from the University of Connecticut.
Simon describes cicadas as a fascinating phenomenon that captivates people due to their sporadic appearances after long periods of dormancy. She encourages the public to appreciate these insects rather than fear them, emphasizing the importance of insects in maintaining ecological balance.
With their staggered emergence cycles, different cicada broods appear in different years. In 2024, a rare occurrence happened when the 13-year Brood XIX coincided with the 17-year Brood XIII. Although this won’t be the case in 2025, the intrigue surrounding these mysterious creatures remains high among scientists.
Cicadas, often considered creatures of history, evoke memories of past events during their emergence years. Spending most of their lives underground in different instar stages, they resurface briefly to molt, mate, and lay eggs before perishing, restarting the cycle anew.
Male cicadas produce loud mating calls using tymbals, creating a chorus that can be compared to sirens or power tools. Despite their intimidating appearance, cicadas do not pose a threat to humans as they do not bite or sting and primarily feed on water.
These insects play a crucial role in the ecosystem by overwhelming predators with their sheer numbers, such as birds, raccoons, foxes, and turtles. However, human-induced changes like deforestation, urbanization, and climate change pose threats to their survival, leading to the emergence of “stragglers” that disrupt the natural population balance.
Simon warns that areas like Washington, D.C., are experiencing overlapping broods due to these asynchronous emergences, creating a patchy mosaic of cicada populations. As we witness the return of these fascinating creatures, it’s essential to appreciate and protect their role in the environment.
© Agence France-Presse
