The moment has arrived for trillions of periodical cicadas to emerge from underground across more than a dozen states. These insects, part of the genus Magicicada, are ready to molt, sing, court, and mate in a spectacle that can be mistaken for a U.F.O. landing by casual human listeners.
This year, two groups of periodical cicadas are in attendance in a rare “dual emergence”: Brood XIII, or the Northern Illinois Brood, and Brood XIX, the Great Southern Brood. The stakes are high for these insects as they engage in an intricate courtship ritual that involves singing specific songs to attract mates.
Male cicadas must arrive early to increase their chances of reproducing, but not too early to avoid becoming prey for hungry predators. After emerging from the ground, they must molt, unfurl their wings, and solidify before beginning their courtship songs.
The male cicada’s song is produced by vibrating a membrane called a tymbal on their abdomen. Courtship proceeds in phases with specific songs associated with each species. Males must be attentive to female signals of interest and avoid interference from competing males.
If a female expresses interest, the male can approach and switch to a different song before initiating physical contact. The mating process can take several hours, with the female ensuring she mates with the correct species amidst the cacophony of cicada songs.
However, cicadas must beware of a fungus that turns them into “sex-crazed, spore-filled zombies” as they emerge from the soil. Despite this threat, the mating season will come to an end in four to six weeks, leaving behind spent carcasses and nests of cicada eggs.
In the end, the cycle will continue as the tiny nymphs hatch, drop to the ground, and burrow down to wait another 13 or 17 years before emerging once again. The intricate and fascinating courtship rituals of periodical cicadas continue to captivate and amaze observers across the country.
