Does the thought of one trillion insects emerging together from the ground bug you? In a rare dual emergence of two different kinds of cicadas, that is precisely what is happening this spring in midwestern and southeastern states. It’s a complex mix of nature, science and timing that hasn’t happened for 200 years.
While lots of people are squeamish about the phenomenon, Entomologists are downright giddy. Just like drummers seem to be the happiest people, Entomologists seem to be the most enthusiastic about their work. They are the ‘Julie from The Love Boat’ equivalents of the scientific world. They live, breathe, and write songs about bugs, and then they share that glee with the world. It’s a wonderful thing.
Until you stop to think about what a trillion anything means, most particularly a trillion bugs. As each cicada is reported to be just over an inch long, this particular emergence would cover 15,782,828 miles if placed end to end. A slithering line that would reach to the moon and back 33 times. They even have red beady eyes and they will unite to make a buzzing noise that could be louder than an airplane.
Sounds slightly nightmarish but save your insecticide. Because you shouldn’t be using insecticide anyway, but mostly because: they are harmless; they are beneficial to trees; they won’t likely cross the border into Canada; and because there are just too darn many to kill anyway. Be more like Julie – grab a clipboard and start a roster of all the positives. Some chefs in the U.S. are preparing fancy cicada dishes because they quickly die naturally.
And entomologists are rubbing their hands in anticipation of the trillion opportunities for new learning. Perhaps they are even drumming their fingers excitedly, which would make them the happiest people a trillion times over.
Visit Sandy’s website at LifeInRetirement.ca