And for one special, cacophonous month up to a trillion of them will engulf suburbs and woodlands across America. Mathematicians have long been intrigued by the question of why periodical cicadas follow prime number cycles, despite the lack of a clear evolutionary explanation.This year's event involves the 13-year Brood XIX, currently emerging in the Carolinas, followed by the 17-year Brood XIII in the Midwest. More acorns support larger populations of the mammals that feed on them, ultimately leading to more Lyme disease risk for humans. As the US warms up, a longer plant growing season provides more food, accelerating cicada growth. "I predict that more 17 year cicadas will turn into permanent 13 year cicadas," she says, "and eventually that trait will be genetically assimilated.

Source: Forbes May 04, 2024 17:20 UTC