Scientists call insects’ transformations ‘magical’ and work to change public perceptions of the harmless bugs.
A Brood XIII cicada waits for its wings and new exoskeleton to dry and harden after climbing and molting on a tree in a front yard in Homewood in 2007. When his youngest daughter was born early in the summer of 2004 in Washington, D.C., John Lill and his wife could hear cicadas singing from inside the hospital.
“The confluence of space and time is happening in the state of Illinois in particular,” Lill said. “Any single spot in the entire state will have cicadas, as far as I can tell from the maps … the suburbs and the cities, any place there’s trees.” In the meantime, cicada lovers and experts like Lill and Weiss are trying to broaden interest from the general public, starting with children. Though the insects may look scary and have a bad rap as invaders, they have been around — mostly underground — for millions of years.
These insects spend most of their lives — over 90% — hidden underground. Each cicada has a small mouthpart shaped like a needle, which it inserts into the root of a tree to drink and feed from its sap for over a decade. Weiss said those who are curious can head out with a flashlight once they notice these little holes in the ground and might be able to spot the insects weeks before they come out.
They then begin a laborious process. The cicada’s shrimplike shell cracks open, and a ghostly white creature with red eyes leans back into a “diving board pose,” Weiss said“This is the most dramatic part,” she said. “John and I were both here 17 years ago with little kids, and having the kids watch this transformation was magical for them and magical for us.”
“Then there’s big piles of dead, stinky cicadas on the ground for a long time. And then everybody forgets about it,” Weiss said. But climate change may throw a wrench in the plans of scientists and enthusiasts hoping to visit Illinois to study and view two cicada broods at the same time. After a warm winter, the soil might reach the necessary temperature earlier.
Because periodical cicada species have existed for millions of years, they have undergone and survived substantial periods of climate change in glacial cycles. But they have still been affected by past changes in climate patterns Hundreds of years ago, when early colonists in the United States encountered cicadas they confused them with locusts — grasshoppers that migrate in swarms and can be devastating to crops. The Bible and Quran mention ancient locust plagues that caused famine and human displacement across the Mediterranean and North Africa.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Computational Biology - Chicago, Illinois job with University of Illinois Chicago - Department of Biochemistry and Molecular GeneticsDescription The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, at the University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC), is soliciting applications for an open rank tenure track faculty position in Computational Biology.
Read more »
Tenure Track (Cancer Research) - Peoria, Illinois job with University of Illinois College of Medicine at PeoriaHiring Department: UICOMP-CBP Location: Peoria, IL USA Requisition ID: 1023695 Posting Close Date: 4/15/2024 The Department of Cancer Biology and Pharmacology of the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria (UICOMP) is now inviting applications for tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor level positions to expand its...
Read more »
James Madison's magical run fueled by family and beliefJames Madison's men's basketball team has had a memorable season, one that started with a family reunion in East Lansing in November.
Read more »
A24’s Problemista Tells a Weird, Magical Immigration Story — & I Loved ItA24’s Problemista is a weird, magical movie that tackles the confusion and strangeness of early adulthood from the perspective of a soft-spoken but creative immigrant from Central America.
Read more »
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Had ‘Magical’ Date with Michael Bublé and Wife at Canada Restaurant (Exclusive)Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were 'extremely friendly' during a 'fun' double date with Michael Bublé and his wife, Luisana Lopilato, Chef Vikram Vij of Vij’s in Vancouver, Canada, tells PEOPLE.
Read more »
Magical Coffee Recipe on Food52This Magical Coffee recipe was inspired by a drink I love at a local café. Is it magic because it tastes amazing, or because it’s so simple to make? both!
Read more »