The Biological Phenomenon of Brood X

The anticipated emergence of Brood X in the eastern part of the United States fills people with either fear or awe. Words like “infestation,” “plague,” and “invasion” are often used to describe this rare occurrence. These insects have existed for at least 200 million years and their clockwork-like emergence every 13 or 17 years is nothing short of a miracle. Scientists are still unsure just exactly how a cicada knows when to emerge. Different hypotheses suggest that cicadas can tell a year has passed by sensing seasonal changes in the tree sap they feed upon, but it is still a mystery as to how they track the overall years. Whatever their mechanism for telling time, when the soil hits about 64 degrees Fahrenheit, they begin to emerge from their subterranean home.

Their sheer numbers as a means of survival is fascinating but unfortunately becoming more and more tenuous. External factors such as climate change and human impact from continued development could alter their behavior or longevity irrevocably. So, let’s celebrate these mysterious creatures because as it turns out, we may have a lot more in common with these bugs than we think.

Read the full blog post to find out what kind of cicada you are, and how these mysterious creatures can teach us a lesson on how to emerge from the darkness.