Where’s the Buzz?

Well, I’m bummed! And I’d rather be buzzed. The news of the coinciding emergence of two groups of cicadas has been everywhere. I was excited, looking forward to the massive multi-brood appearance of these prehistoric-looking insects. But alas, the exciting cicadas are only in 17 states, ranging from Iowa to Georgia! Sadly, Arizona is not between Iowa and Georgia…

So, What’s All the Buzz About?

2024 is the first year since 1803 when Brood XIII and Brood XIX will emerge together, producing this largest emergence. Yes, Thomas Jefferson was the US President. Experts say the numbers will be in the trillions! It could be up to 1.5 million per acre! I want to be part of it! A friend has been posting recordings of the cicada’s sounds from her yard in central Illinois. Of course, you can’t get the real sense of the intensity of their singing from her videos, but I appreciate her sharing.

Scientists recognized these fantastic insects with the scientific name Magicada, short for “magic cicada.” The 13- and 17-year cicadas seem unique because they have underground juvenile development times, resulting in mass synchronized emergences. This dense mass of insects increases the opportunities for finding a mate – the only reason these insects are coming out of the ground up into the air. That’s why they need to molt to get their adult wings to get around. Time is of the essence.

In addition, having so many tasty insects in a group creates safety-in-numbers protection from predators. Predators will have plenty to enjoy, leaving sufficient cicadas alive to produce the next generation.

We in Arizona, deprived of the exciting mass emergence, are not entirely deprived of cicadas. The most common one in the Tucson area is called cactus dodger (Cacma dissimilis Distant). Unlike most male cicadas, who select a perch from which to sing to the females for the mating season, cactus dodgers frequently change perches. These cicadas must avoid the many cacti and plants with long spines’ hence the name cactus dodger.

Even though I won’t get to immerse my ears in the siren songs of the famous cicadas, I’ll take comfort in the fact that my life won’t be bereft of the cicada sound. Learn more about the unique species of the Sonoran Desert! Check out my conservation books and workbooks.