LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Thursday marked the official start of spring and while that may bring warmer temperatures, it will also bring something else. Cicadas.
This year, the 17-year cicadas will emerge from the ground.
According to UK professor and Entomologist Jonathan Larson, this
could happen around the end of April to beginning of May, or end of May depending on the temperature.
“They come out in this huge grove, they’re singing, they’re mating,” said Larson. “There’s all this kind of spring symbolism there, but then they all die in these big swaths.”
Much of Kentucky is going to be experiencing the insects this year, according to a map by the U.S. Forest Service.
The main thing people associate cicadas with, is their singing, which is all done by males.
“The males will first start to make this noise that tells their fellow male cicadas like ‘I’ve picked the best tree bros, this is the one to come to. Please come and form a band with me.’ they all come and start to sing together.”
Larson says, females will then join and pair off. After mating, the male dies and the female lays the eggs before also dying.
But, in spite of the constant singing, which some people might find annoying, Larson says cicadas actually have an impact on the environment.
“There is a boom to wildlife, so like turkeys often have a better year after a cicada emergence.”
Several animals, such as snakes, birds and foxes, also feed on them,.
For any farmers worried about crops, Larson says cicadas are not crop-pests, however they can pose a threat to trees.
Larson says big trees, especially those near rivers and creeks won’t suffer, but newly planted trees could be at risk. He says to put cicada netting over a tree to prevent damage.
If you’re someone who does not like insects, don’t worry. The singing bugs will only be around for about six to eight weeks and won’t be back again for another 17 years.
Categories: Featured, Local News, News
Tags: 17-year cicada, cicada season, cicadas, Jonathan Larson, Kentucky, Spring
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