For the first time since the beginning of the 19th century, two species of cicadas emerged at the same time in the United States.
These insects will produce a hell of a noise for several weeks in 17 states of the country.
For residents, this is a difficult time to get through.
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This is a phenomenon that has not happened for over 200 years, since 1803 to be precise. An eternity: Thomas Jefferson was still president of the United States which had just purchased Louisiana from France. In the space of a few days, hundreds of billions of cicadas will sweep across the Atlantic.
To fully understand, you need to know that among the large family of cicadas, which includes more than 3,000 species of insects around the world, some appear every year, while others emerge from the ground every 13 or 17 years. And it is precisely these periodic cicadas that we are talking about, with two groups concerned which will emerge almost simultaneously: the XIX, which emerges every 13 years and has already started to do so in North and South Carolina (southeast), the XIII in the Midwest, which emerges every 17 years. And according to forecasts, the two species could be present in the same place, in Illinois (north). “When they surface, they do so in large numbers, which excites parents and children”slips entomologist Gene Kritsky, from Mount Saint-Joseph University, in the columns of AFP.
Up to 110 decibels in some locations
Who says cicadas necessarily means high volume, even more so when we are talking about billions of specimens. The sound can reach 110 decibels in places. “This song only comes from males. (There can be) hundreds, thousands or tens of thousands singing at the same time on a single tree”, explains to TF1 Floyd Shockley, entomologist at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. A shrill cry, launched during reproduction, with which the locals must deal, as best they can. “Gardening hasn’t been as calming for a month. I even had to look for relaxation music to help me deal with it”declares a resident, who saw insects colonizing her garden. “I gave up. It’s their territory. I’m at home”for her part, a woman despairs in a video published on social networks.
Effects on ecosystems to be closely monitored
But beyond the noise, and this is often less known, the massive presence of cicadas produces obvious effects on the surrounding ecosystems. In a study recently published in the journal Science, John Lill, professor of biology at George Washington University, and other researchers demonstrate that the emergence of a group of cicadas in Washington in 2021 coincided with the increase in the number of caterpillars – abandoned by birds , who focused on cicadas – in the region. As a result, the consumption of young oak shoots has increased.
Along the same lines, other research proves that these same oaks produce more acorns two years after the cicadas emerge. Gold, “the more acorns there are, the more the populations of mammals that feed on them grow, the more the risk of Lyme disease in humans increases”, recalls AFP. That “shows that there are potentially longer-term ecological impacts lasting for years after cicadas appear”summarizes John Lill.
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They are invading the United States by the billions: listen to the shrill noise the cicadas make
However, cicadas do not represent, as such, a threat to humans at all: they do not sting or bite, and can even be eaten. “You can see them flying from one tree to another. When they leave, it will be 13 years before you hear this amazing sound again.”concludes Susan Jones, manager at Crabtree Lake County Park, in Morrisville (North Carolina).
