Every 17 years, millions of cicadas emerge from the ground across the Chicago area. Scientists say some of them will get an early start this year.
“Cicadas count years by counting the fluid flow in trees,” explains Gene Kritsky, Dean of Behavioral and Natural Sciences at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati.
“With these mild winters we've been having, they can make a mistake and think that 17 years have passed, when in reality only 16 has passed.”
Kristsky has tracked, studied and written about cicadas throughout his academic career. He says the 17-year cicadas known as Brood XIII are due to return next year (2024), but there are indications some will arrive early, over the next couple of weeks.
“The ground warming is the trigger,” he said. “We'll probably see maybe a few hundred over greater Chicago.
“Next year however, we're going to see millions.”
As for those loud noises they make, Kritsky puts it plainly: “It’s all about sex. Only the males sing, and they do so to attract a female.”
For more information about early risers, check out this website.