Why do cicadas wait 17 years

Some are confined to small regions, such as brood 7, which is only found in upstate New York ; while others are scattered across swaths of the country, such as brood 19, which is found in the Midwest and along the East Coast from Maryland to Georgia.

Some broods overlap, meaning two broods might even live in the same city. Periodical cicadas' synchronized schedules boost their survival. For them, safety is in numbers. Their broods are so dense—as many as 1. One common theory has to do with avoiding predators. Long life cycles—and particularly those that are prime numbered—are difficult for predators to match, making it impossible for them to specialize in eating cicadas.

Other studies have targeted glacial cycles. Cicadas prefer warm weather, the theory goes, so perhaps the extreme cold of the last ice age favored the evolution of a longer life cycle.

But Cooley questions this theory, too, as glaciation would have affected all cicada species and not just those in the United States. Liebhold, the research entomologist with the U. He speculates it could be related to the region's forests, which are known for a high diversity of plants and insects. But, he adds, it could be purely chance that these species slipped into an unusual life cycle.

Sometimes, periodical cicadas get confused. Gene Kritsky , dean of behavioral and natural sciences at Mount St. Kritsky, who discovered one of the year broods, believes cicadas have probably been exhibiting these behaviors all along, but scientists had limited means to document it in the past.

Now scientists can use mapping technology—and can cast a wider net with the help of citizen scientists reporting sightings through Mount St. Editor's note: This story was originally published on June 3, It has been updated to reflect the emergence of Brood X. All rights reserved. Cicadas in sync. Share Tweet Email. Why it's so hard to treat pain in infants. This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city Caracals have learned to hunt around the urban edges of Cape Town, though the predator faces many threats, such as getting hit by cars.

India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big. But now with the vaccines, with restrictions being lifted, people are getting outside again. Now, think about the cicadas.

And just like us, this spring in May, they're coming up and out of the ground. For those feeling even braver, a student at the University of Maryland, Jenna Jadin, wrote a book in to give cooking directions for eating cicadas. In Cicada-Licious: Cooking and Enjoying Periodical Cicada s , she suggests eating only newly-emerged cicadas whose outer bodies have not hardened.

Boil them for about four to five minutes. Remove the hard parts -- the wings and the legs. They will not hurt you, she writes. But they are not that tasty. Then you can fry them in seasonings. Raupp and other experts warn that people should talk to their doctor before eating any insect. He also suggests that those people who are afraid of cicadas think of them this way. So, I think we have a lot to look forward to. Load more comments. Search Search.

Audio menu. Learning English Broadcast. Want to add a little wonder to your website? Help spread the wonder of families learning together. We sent you SMS, for complete subscription please reply. Follow Twitter Instagram Facebook. How loud are cicadas? Why do cicadas emerge every 17 years? What is the life cycle of the cicada? Wonder What's Next? Try It Out Keep learning with help from a friend or family member and the activities below! Check out this map of periodical cicada habitats.

Do you live in any of these areas? If so, which cicada brood should you expect to see? When will the next brood emerge? Discuss with a friend or family member. Feeling creative? Print and color this diagram of the life cycle of the cicada! You can also color the picture online. You can do so on the back of your picture or on another piece of paper. Choose one more insect to learn about today.

Start by making a list of questions you have about the insect. Then, ask a friend or family member to help you research online or at the local library. Be sure to write down the answers you find! Did you get it? Test your knowledge.

What are you wondering? Wonder Words broods nymph molt species emerge evolved exoskeleton abdomens periodical Take the Wonder Word Challenge. Join the Discussion. Related Wonders for You to Explore Match its definition: to rise or appear from a hidden or unknown place or condition.

Word Match Congratulations!