(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A cicada was found recently with what’s been described as a “one-in-a-million” mutation in the Chicago suburbs — and it’s been donated to the Field Museum.
Wheaton 4-year-old Jack Bailey was collecting bugs when his older sister, Caroline, noticed a blue-eyed cicada in his bucket. According to the Field Museum, Caroline showed the blue-eyed bug to their mother Greta before releasing it in the yard.
“Well, after telling my family about it, we came to find out how rare they are and were kicking ourselves for not keeping it,” Greta said.
Greta said Caroline and her twin sister Addison took flashlights outside and managed to find the rare cicada, and the suburban mother said she emailed the Field Museum to see if they would be interested in adding it to their collection.
The museum said the cicada will be added to its behind-the-scenes insect collection while Field Museum researchers work to learn more about the DNA that causes the unusual eye color.
Officials said the cicada will be on display during cicada-themed events happening weekly through the end of June.
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