The reverberating sound of Cicada’s is a familiar sound this time of year across the Commonwealth. But, the song of the insect is expected to grow significantly louder next summer.
University of Kentucky Extension Entomology Professor Jonathan Larson says millions of male Cicadas are primarily in trees, trying to attract a mate.
It’s the fast tempo sound of Cicadas flexing abdomen muscles. These insects are a part of the summer scene each year. But Larson said just wait until next June when periodical Cicadas emerge, after 17 years underground.
“You will see millions and millions of Cicadas coming out of different locations. They like to be near river and stream corridors. They have some preferences for trees, but they do pop up in cities as well,” said Larson.
While the summer of 2020 is different than any other before in modern history, Larson noted the insects are not a COVID-19 threat. “We’ve been very concerned about that with mosquitoes and even bed buds and other blood feeding organisms, but so far we haven’t encountered any insects that have the coronavirus in them or on them and I don’t think the Cicadas would have a very good chance of encountering it. They’re below ground and then they’re up on their trees for the rest of their life. They’re not interacting with us too much,” explained Larson.
Larson said this large brood of Cicadas is expected to make their clicking sounds in Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Tennessee.
UK Entomologist Jonathan Larson offers more insight into Cicadas and the sounds of Kentucky:
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