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TechnographPeriodical cicadas: Noisy nuisance or tasty treat?
By Angelina Cole
Posted: 3/16/07 Section: News
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Nixon said that there have been reports in the Chicago metro area of 133 thousand cicadas per acre, with 2.5 acres comprising a city block. "More than three years ago, they were everywhere at Kickapoo State (Recreation Area)," Berlocher said. "The trees were crawling with enormous numbers of them."
Despite the incredible number of cicadas, no real damage is done to the environment, Berlocher said. Some small trees may suffer weakened trunks, especially fruit trees. But older trees will only lose a few inches off their twigs from the females using their ovipositors to slice open the bark to lay their eggs.
"For me personally, aside from the loud singing and chirping, I don't think it'll really be a big issue," said Daryl Swafford, sophomore in Communications.
Periodical cicadas are not only sources of protein for the predators who feast on them every 13 to 17 years but also for people, Nixon said. The insects have been known to taste like almonds.
"Eat cicadas?" Swafford exclaimed. "I think that's really disgusting. I guess if they were dunked in a ton of chocolate I'd eat them, but other than that I'd steer clear of them."
Despite the incredible number of cicadas, no real damage is done to the environment, Berlocher said. Some small trees may suffer weakened trunks, especially fruit trees. But older trees will only lose a few inches off their twigs from the females using their ovipositors to slice open the bark to lay their eggs.
"For me personally, aside from the loud singing and chirping, I don't think it'll really be a big issue," said Daryl Swafford, sophomore in Communications.
Periodical cicadas are not only sources of protein for the predators who feast on them every 13 to 17 years but also for people, Nixon said. The insects have been known to taste like almonds.
"Eat cicadas?" Swafford exclaimed. "I think that's really disgusting. I guess if they were dunked in a ton of chocolate I'd eat them, but other than that I'd steer clear of them."
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