Cicadas: How These Strange Creatures Are Related To Us

Cicadas are one of the strangest creatures on earth. Every 17 years, these insects emerge from the ground, mate, and then die. Their short life span and unusual reproductive cycle has puzzled scientists for centuries. Recently, they've discovered that cicadas are likely doing this to avoid being eaten by predators. In this blog post, I'll explore how this strange creature is related to us.

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What are cicadas?
Cicadas are a type of winged insect that belongs to the order Hemiptera. There are over 3,000 different species of cicada, and they can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Cicadas are best known for their loud, grinding song, which they use to attract mates.

Cicadas spend most of their lives underground, emerging only once every few years to mate and lay eggs. After the eggs hatch, the nymphs (young cicadas) fall to the ground and burrow into the soil, where they live for years until they emerge as adults.

Cicadas are fascinating creatures, and there is still much we don't know about them. For example, scientists are still trying to figure out why some species of cicada only emerge every 13 years, while others emerge every 17 years.

The life cycle of a cicada
Cicadas are interesting insects that have a unique life cycle. They spend most of their lives underground, emerging only for a brief period of time to mate and lay eggs. After the eggs hatch, the larvae fall back to the ground and burrow underground, where they remain for years before emerging again as adults.

This cycle repeats itself over and over again, with cicadas spending the majority of their lives in hiding. This makes them somewhat of a mystery to us, as we only get to see them for a brief period of time every few years. But their interesting life cycle is just one of the many things that make cicadas so special.

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The benefits of having cicadas around
Cicadas are often considered to be pests, but there are actually many benefits to having these creatures around. For one, cicadas help to aerate the soil, which can improve plant growth. They also help to control the population of other insects, such as aphids and grubs. And, their predators, such as birds and bats, can help to control the population of nuisance insects, such as mosquitoes.

So, the next time you see a cicada, don't be so quick to judge. These creatures may be ugly and noisy, but they can actually be quite helpful.

Are cicadas dangerous?
Cicadas are a type of insect that is known for their loud singing. Every summer, millions of cicadas emerge from the ground and fill the air with their distinctive sound. While they are mostly harmless, there are a few things you should know about cicadas before you get too close.

Cicadas can carry diseases that can be harmful to humans, such as West Nile virus. They can also bite, although their bites are usually not harmful. If you are allergic to bee stings, you may also be allergic to cicada bites. In rare cases, cicada bites can cause anaphylactic shock, so it's important to be aware of the risks before you approach these insects. Overall, cicadas are not dangerous to most people. However, it's still important to be cautious around them.

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How are cicadas related to us?
Cicadas are a type of insect that is related to us in a few ways. For one, they have a lifespan that is similar to ours. They also go through a process of metamorphosis that is similar to ours. Additionally, they are attracted to mates in a similar way to us.

While there are many similarities between cicadas and us, there are also some differences. Cicadas do not have lungs, for instance, and they breathe through their abdomen. They also have a lifespan that is much shorter than ours, with most cicadas only living for a few years.

Despite the differences, the similarities between cicadas and us are interesting to consider. It is possible that we share a common ancestor with these insects, and it is also possible that we have evolved in similar ways.

To wrap things up
In conclusion, cicadas are strange creatures that are related to us in a variety of ways. They have been around for millions of years and have undergone a number of changes. Today, they are found on every continent except Antarctica. They are an important part of the ecosystem and play a role in the pollination of plants.

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2 comments
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Nice post! Next time consider adding some references where to learn more about this :)

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How do they survive so long underground, this is really an amazing insect. I can't believe they mate after 13/17 years, wow!

What do they eat or survive on?

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