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Cicadas emerge into the heat of summer in Kentucky

University of Kentucky Entomology

High heat, like what we’re experiencing, can be a friend or foe to those in the insect world. The annual buzzing in the trees signals the return of one summertime bug.

The song of the cicada has returned to portions of Kentucky.

These are the yearly cicadas, not the periodicals which emerge every 13 or 17 years. University of Kentucky Entomologist Jonathan Larson said, for insects, the temperature is one of the greatest drivers of success or failure in their lives. Readings into the mid-nineties can be a factor.

“Some of them have adaptations to avoid it. Some of them will perish and then some of them love it. They’re summer bugs,” said Larson.

Larson doesn’t look for excessive heat to spell doom for a high number of cicadas.

The university entomologist said this summer’s cicada contingent could be around right up until the first days of autumn. The next visit by the periodical cicada comes in 2024. Those bugs have been underground for 11 years, just waiting.

Here's more with UK Entomologist Jonathan Larson including the fate of a cicada stung by a predatory wasp:

4JONATHANLWEB.mp3

Stu Johnson retired from WEKU in November, 2024 after reporting for the station for 40 years. Stu's primary beat was Lexington/Fayette government.
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