Cicadas Are Coming. Biology Professor Breaks Down What to Expect
The hum of cicadas is a part of the natural soundtrack of summertime. But this year’s sounds could get a lot louder. Two broods of cicadas are expected to emerge in various parts of the Midwest and southeastern U.S. this summer, a once-in-a-lifetime event.
David Althoff is an associate professor and associate chair of the Department of Biology in Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences. He answers six questions about the upcoming cicada season and what it could mean for plants and predators that feed on these insects. He is available for interviews.
Q: Can you talk a bit about what’s expected with the emergence of the two cicada broods this spring?
A: Each brood will produce millions of adult cicadas across their ranges in the Midwest and southeastern U.S. The noise made by calling males will be intense given that males of both broods will be calling for females.
Q: What the commonalities and differences between the rare broods of cicadas hatching this spring, and the annual cicadas we normally see?
A: The periodic cicadas that will emerge have adapted to emerge based on length of time rather than growth rate of their larvae, in contrast to the annual cicadas that emerge once they reach a certain size. Otherwise, in terms of their natural history the cicada types are quite similar.
Q: Your research focus includes the interactions among plants and insects. How could this massive awakening of cicadas impact plant life in the affected areas?
A: Adult cicadas will be siphoning nutrients from trees and depending upon how many are on a single tree could cause damage to the tree. This could be particularly important for younger and smaller trees. Conversely, when the adults die, they fall to the ground and release nutrients back into the soil.
Q: What about the impact on other insects and animals in places where the cicadas will hatch?
A: For the most part, cicadas will not impact other insects much. They will, however, fill the bellies of predators that feed on them. In some cases, this can lead population increases in predators in subsequent years following a large emergence.
Q: Has there been any conversation around or evidence that the warming climate is having any sort of impact on these insect events?
A: I haven’t heard of any direct tests of the effects of global warming on periodic cicadas as they emerged based on length of time. For annual cicadas, warmer temperatures could potentially lead to faster growth and emergence.
Q: Based on your own perspective and research – what interests you most about this expected cicada event?
A: Cicada emergences like this always remind about how incredibly prolific insects can be and how they are an integral part of natural communities. It is also amazing to think that these millions of cicadas were living most of their lives right under our feet. I like how such events really get the public engaged with their natural surroundings and learning a bit about insects in general.
To request interviews or get more information:
Daryl Lovell
Associate Director of Media Relations
Division of Communications
M 315.380.0206
dalovell@syr.edu | @DarylLovell
Syracuse University
