Magicicada spp., brood X, May 2004, McLean, VA
Brought out the specimens I collected in 2004 - my first serious insect collecting effort!
Brood X is actually three different species: Magicicada septendecium, Magicicada cassinii, and Magicicada septendecula. Their characteristic red eyes (and occasionally light blue) have faded over the last 17 years, but I'll be adding to the collection in pinned specimens, art, and in food soon enough!
One theory for their unusual 17-year cycle is that it developed to avoid ice age glacial cycles, but the most commonly accepted theory is that it's a predator avoidance strategy. Such a long reproductive cycle, especially in prime numbered year intervals, makes it nearly impossible for predators to sync their own population levels - and when the cicadas do emerge, it's in such large numbers that their predators are completely overwhelmed. So if you live in the US mid-Atlantic, keep an eye out for very fat birds and squirrels over the next few weeks! And if you're interested in contributing to citizen science efforts, consider downloading the app Cicada Safari to log your cicada sightings - made by researchers at Mt. St. Joseph's University! For iPhone and Android.
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source https://www.reddit.com/r/Entomology/comments/n1heud/brood_x_cicadas_2004/
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