THE BIZARRE NATURAL WONDER EVERYONE IS BUZZING ABOUT
May 01 2024 - 11:22AM
American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization,
encourages families to come together and learn about the
fascinating cicada broods (XIX and XIII) emerging this
spring.
This year will be the first time in over two centuries that two
different broods will emerge at the same time. This type of cicada
spends over a decade underground, feeding off tree roots until it
is time to emerge and start their brief adult life above ground.
Americans across the Midwest and South who witness this natural
wonder can use the opportunity to teach their children how every
creature plays a vital role in our ecosystem.
“Cicadas have always captivated human interest with their
remarkable abundance and impressive size,” said Dr. Robin
Ganzert, president & CEO of American Humane. “Despite their
commanding exterior, cicadas symbolize the wondrous diversity of
life, highlighting humanity's humble role amidst the countless
species that share our world.”
While to some their appearance may be unwelcome and their
chirping annoying—or even alarming—- cicadas are essential to their
native habitats. They provide many crucial environmental benefits,
including:
- Aerating the soil. When cicadas burrow and tunnel, they
naturally aerate the soil, which helps air, water, and nutrients
enrich the roots of plant life.
- Fertilizing the soil. When cicadas die, their bodies
provide an incredible nutrient boost to the soil, stimulating
vegetation, which in turn feeds herbivores.
- Pruning mature trees. Female cicadas lay their eggs at
the end of branches, from which the newly born nymphs will drop to
the ground before burrowing down and beginning their underground
life. Many species of trees benefit from this process and produce
more flowers and fruit in the following year.
“Cicadas rarely cause significant damage to the plants they feed
on,” said Jason C. Schaller, Curator of Entomology at ABQ BioPark.
“However, they are an important food item for a plethora of larger
animals including birds, lizards, and various mammals.”
In addition to their ecological contributions, there are a lot
of other surprising facts about cicadas. This spring, young
learners will have a unique, firsthand educational experience,
observing one of nature’s most bizarre animals. Parents can help
children learn how cicadas:
- Generate 100 decibels of noise. When male cicadas
emerge, they vibrate a part of their exoskeleton called the
tymbals. The noise can reach 100 decibels as hordes of males search
for a mate, which interests scientists because of how little energy
they expend.
- Naturally repel water. Microstructures that cover the
wings of a cicada help keep the insects dry by repelling water.
Scientists are attempting to replicate these marvels of nature to
use in human technology.
- Avoid predators by living underground. The unique
lifespan of the cicada helps the species avoid predators through
their irregular emergence. While they provide food for creatures
big and small, they also emerge in large enough numbers to protect
themselves from extinction.
Families across the Midwest and South can expect the cicadas to
appear when the soil warms to 64 degrees. Parents and educators are
encouraged to use this phenomenon to kick start an enthusiasm for
the animal kingdom. Learn more at
www.AmericanHumane.org/BeKind.
About American Humane:
American Humane is the United States’ first national humane
organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare,
helping to verify the humane treatment of more than one billion
animals across the globe each year. Founded in 1877, American
Humane has been First to Serve™ the cause of animals and for over
145 years has been at the forefront of virtually every major
advance in the humane movement. For more information or to support
our lifesaving work, please visit www.AmericanHumane.org, follow us
on Facebook, X and Instagram and subscribe to our channel
on YouTube for the latest breaking news and features about the
animals with whom we share our Earth.
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Paige Strott
American Humane
202-677-4231
paiges@americanhumane.org