If you do not like bugs, then it will be a rough few weeks for you, as billions of cicadas are about to start swarming the skies after a long period of hibernation. The insects, which stay underground for a period of 17 years, have started to emerge all over the East Coast in their adult forms, ready to look for mates and begin the life cycle all over again.
Cicadas have an unusual life, to say the least. According to Periodical Cicadas, the baby insects begin their lives underground, feeding on the juices taken from plant roots. After about 13 to 17 years, they mature to nymphs that emerge at night and stay above ground into the morning. Eventually, they shed their exoskeletons and turn into the winged adult form of the species, ready to mate. During this two to four week adult period, the male cicada makes a distinctive call by vibrating membranes on the underside of their abdominal segments. Combined with the sheer number of cicadas coming into maturity, this will lead to some sleepless nights for light sleepers.
Scientists have decided to take advantage of this phenomena to study the cicada while they are out in force. The Science Channel has set up a live camera of a terrarium full of the creatures, allowing curious people to get an up close and personal look at the insects. The live feed can be viewed below.
Of course, soon people all over the East Coast, from Georgia all the way to New York City and beyond, will be able to see the bugs firsthand as they emerge. By appearing all at once in such great numbers, natural predators will not be able to stem the tide of cicadas as they begin to mate and lay eggs in batches of up to 400 eggs at once, and at 40 to 50 different sites for one female cicada. Those who do not particularly like bugs should watch out for the winged pests during their mating period, which is estimated to last through August.
Live video by Animal Planet L!ve
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