A benign invasion is coming this May (or when the soil heats up to 64 degrees), the likes of which has not been seen since 2004, and will not repeated again until 2038. The large red-eyed cicadas
are coming to New York (Central Park, the Bronx and Staten Island at least) but I am not certain
that includes Roosevelt Island? We will know for sure when we hear their 100 decibels mating
call, which will make the FDR seem quiet by comparison. We will know for sure when we see
their shredded exoskeletons lining the tree branches as if they were frozen in time from some
ancient lost world. They will be with us for about a month before they go back into hibernation. And our local birds will be able to eat up to their hearts content. Some have asked why the 17 year cycle? It could be a clever defense mechanism to avoid predators, or a way that helped them cope with the last ice age, but I think they are doing it just to remind us that nature has its own way of doing things that go beyond our understanding. go beyond our understanding. I hope to see them again in 2038. By Neal Weissman
For more scientific information check out this KidsPost Article from the Washington Post.
are coming to New York (Central Park, the Bronx and Staten Island at least) but I am not certain
that includes Roosevelt Island? We will know for sure when we hear their 100 decibels mating
call, which will make the FDR seem quiet by comparison. We will know for sure when we see
their shredded exoskeletons lining the tree branches as if they were frozen in time from some
ancient lost world. They will be with us for about a month before they go back into hibernation. And our local birds will be able to eat up to their hearts content. Some have asked why the 17 year cycle? It could be a clever defense mechanism to avoid predators, or a way that helped them cope with the last ice age, but I think they are doing it just to remind us that nature has its own way of doing things that go beyond our understanding. go beyond our understanding. I hope to see them again in 2038. By Neal Weissman
For more scientific information check out this KidsPost Article from the Washington Post.
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