It’s been 17 years since these insects burst out of the ground. And while they’re a nuisance to some people, their emergence is a boon to wildlife. In fact, some animal species time their own reproduction with the cicadas. And we’ve seen some wild animal populations soar this year as a result.
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Crickets and cicada seeds are symbiotic with trees and shrubs, using their mouthparts to sip sap and stay hydrated. While they may cause some damage to mature trees when they cling to branches, it’s usually minor and temporary. And they won’t kill the tree, unlike locusts or Japanese beetles.
The symbiotic relationship between the trees and the cicadas is important for the health of our landscapes. Cicadas aerate the soil, creating tunnels that encourage root growth and prevent compaction of the topsoil. The tunnels also help the plants by letting in more sunlight. And the cicadas’ loud chirping helps to regulate insect populations, keeping them under control.
The cicadas’ emergence is also one of nature’s great cyclical events, though we don’t know how long this brood will last. Some scientists say it could be shorter than usual because of climate change and ongoing human development. But even if it is shorter than normal, this is still an amazing natural event that’s sure to entertain and delight us all. It’s the sound of millions of screaming, winged insects chirping in the air.