Billions Of Cicadas Emerge After 17 Years In The Ground And Create Chaos In Parts Of The US (30 Pics)

Professor Raupp explained to Bored Panda that these cicadas have a very strange life cycle which makes them an untrackable species, safe from most predators. The fact is that what would normally be cicada predators—squirrels, raccoons, birds, etc.—don't live as long as the bugs which stay buried underground. It's a tactic that ensures better survivability.

According to Professor Raupp from the University of Maryland, some ground-dwelling mammals may snack on the cicadas while they're below ground, however, living underground for 17 years is still far safer and relatively predator-free than staying on the surface. In fact, many other kinds of bugs live underground and it's a very common tactic to stay safe.

The professor reiterated that cicadas are harmless: they don't bite or sting. However, he noted that we still shouldn't let our dogs eat too many of the bugs while out on walks. Cicadas themselves are "tasty and nutritious" when prepared properly, but anyone with an allergy to shrimp should avoid them, as both of their exoskeletons are the same. So fair warning, fellow gourmands.

I was also curious to find out how those Americans who are very much afraid of bugs should react to the current events. Professor Raupp told me that there are three main approaches that people could take. "Learn as much as possible," he told Bored Panda, highlighting the importance of educating ourselves about the natural world.

Second of all, the professor suggested that anyone who's incredibly worried and living in fear could seek professional counseling, whether that means speaking to your local clergyman, social worker, or psychologist. That way, you can work through your fears.

However, if that doesn't work, you can always take what Professor Raupp called a "cicada vacation" and get out of town for a few weeks. This doesn't necessarily mean flying to the West Coast to escape the billions and billions of cicada (unless you want to, of course!)—there are plenty of cicada-less areas nearby in the east, too. All it takes is a bit of research.

Even though they’ve spent so much time below ground, these cicadas won’t be around above it for much longer. Their mating season will end by around mid-June, by which time, that particular new generation of cicadas will wait years and years to surprise future Americans.

Here’s the thing, though, periodical cicadas don’t necessarily emerge only on the 17th spring of their lives. Some choose to emerge on the 13th year, sometime between late April and early June, depending on the area.

They do this in sync and in massive numbers, but scientists are still baffled as to how the cicadas know to do this. Nature, you’re wonderfully weird, and I love it. There are some theories, however.

For instance, the Cicada Crew of the University of Maryland notes that one hypothesis for how cicadas track time is by sensing the seasonal changes in the quality or quantity of nutrients or plant hormones in the xylem sap that they use for nourishment.

Meanwhile, another theory is that they have an unknown molecular clock inside their bodies that works like a calendar. Whatever the exact reason might be, on the 17th or 13th year, cicadas emerge from the ground en masse once the soil temperatures reach around 18 degrees Celsius or 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

After emerging from beneath the earth, male cicadas get together in chorus centers and attract the loves of their lives. Afterward, the females lay eggs in the stems of woody plants. Unfortunately, that’s where the lovey-dovey romance ends, however. Having completed their prime directive in life, going forth and multiplying, the adult cicadas die off. However, they’ve seeded an entire new brood and the circle of life continues.

One last thing before we end things: did you know that more people eat cicadas than you'd expect? Enjoy that thought while I try and get my appetite back before lunch.