 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 17-Year Cicadas in 2021

   May 25, 2021

    Cin_cicadas_IMG_6131 (005)a

    Cin_cicadas_IMG_6125 (004)a

   Photographer:  Cindy Sun

   Summary Author:  Jim Foster

    Brood X cicadas are now emerging by the multitudes in the Middle
   Atlantic and Mid-West regions of the U.S. Shown above are the throngs
   of juveniles that surfaced from beneath a  silver maple tree at my
   home. Once above ground they quickly shed their encasements and then as
   red-eyed adults (bottom photo) start a several week period of
   courtship. The screeching mating call made by the males can reach
   decibel levels near 90. While this call is annoying to most humans it
   obviously works for the females of the  cicada species. To hear
   their "chorus" and see them emerging  click here.

   Because almost everything eats these tasty morsels, their survival
   strategy is to overwhelm predators by popping out of the ground by the
   millions, in a matter of just a few days. This strategy is called
    predator satiation. They don’t do lasting damage to the mature
   trees they alight upon, but their egg-laying and sheer numbers can
   injure young trees, particularly newly planted trees that  bear
   fruit or bloom in spring, such as the one that for some reason I
   decided to plant earlier this spring.



   Silver Spring, Maryland Coordinates: 38.9907, -77.0261



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    More...

Animal Links

     *  Animal Diversity Web
     *  ARKive
     *  BirdLife International
     *  Bug Guide
     *  Discover Life
     *  Integrated Taxonomic Information System
     *  Microbial Life Resources
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