Do Cicadas Die in the Rain? Exploring Insect Survival

Cicadas are large insects known for their loud courting sounds, produced by male cicadas to attract females. With their distinct black bodies and red-brown eyes, these creatures have intrigued many, leading to questions about their behavior and lifespan, such as the impact of rainfall on their survival.

Rainfall naturally affects the environment where cicadas thrive. These insects spend most of their lives underground as nymphs, feeding on tree roots, and then emerge to the surface as adults once every 13 or 17 years. Understanding the relationship between cicadas and rain plays an important role in grasping their overall lifecycle.

There is a common belief that cicadas die in the rain, but this isn’t entirely true. While heavy rainfall might cause some challenges for cicadas, such as making it difficult for them to fly or disrupting their usual mating patterns, most cicadas have enough resilience to withstand these conditions. However, in extreme cases of heavy rainfall or prolonged exposure to water, some cicadas may not survive. In general, these fascinating insects are well-adapted to various environmental factors, including coping with rain.

Cicadas and Rain: A Relationship

Rain’s Impact on Cicada Behavior

Cicadas are insects that experience significant life stages underground as nymphs and above ground during mating¹. When rain affects their environment, it influences their behavior and life cycle. For example, excessive rain may cause cicadas to seek shelter². Some ways they can do this are:

• Hiding under leaves and branches.
• Taking cover behind tree bark and other natural structures.

Effects of Rain on Emergence and Mating

The emergence of periodical cicadas, which occur every 13 or 17 years³, can be affected by rainfall. When the soil becomes too saturated, they may have difficulty tunneling⁴.

Considering mating, male cicadas are known for their loud songs, which attract females for mating⁵. Rain can impact the male cicadas’ ability to sing, and as a result, their mating success⁶.

In summary, rain has important implications for the behavior and life cycle of cicadas. It can influence their emergence from the ground, mating success, and overall behavior.

Cicada Life Cycle and Broods

Stages of the Cicada Life Cycle

Cicadas undergo an incomplete metamorphosis process that involves three main stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Nymphs hatch from the eggs, tunnel underground, and feed on plant roots for several years before emerging as adults.

• Egg: Female cicadas lay eggs in tree bark.
• Nymph: The nymphs feed on plant roots while living underground.
• Adult: Nymphs emerge as adults, mate, and die shortly after.

Brood Types and Emergence Patterns

Two primary types of cicadas exist: periodical cicadas and annual cicadas. Periodical cicadas include 13-year and 17-year varieties, while annual cicadas emerge every year but have a shorter 2-5 years life cycle.

Comparison Table:

Examples of Broods

• Brood X: A group of 17-year cicadas that emerge en masse in certain regions of the United States.
• Magicicada: A genus of periodical cicadas that includes both 13-year and 17-year species.

In conclusion, cicadas have unique life cycles and emergence patterns that differ between periodical and annual varieties. Understanding these patterns helps us appreciate the fascinating biology of these insects.

Survival Tactics and Predation

Mating and Breeding Strategies

Cicadas have evolved unique mating strategies relying on their sound-producing organs. Males “sing” by vibrating membranes on their bodies to attract females for mating (source). After mating, females lay eggs by making slits in tree branches (source).

Protection Mechanisms

• Exoskeleton: Cicadas possess a strong exoskeleton that offers some protection against predators.
• Camouflage: Some cicadas, like the annual or dog-day cicadas, have green or camouflaged coloration (source).
• Molt: Cicadas molt, shedding their old exoskeleton, which can help them escape certain predators.

Predators and Threats

Cicadas face numerous predators, including:

• Birds, benefiting from the emergence of cicadas as a food source (source)
• Mammals
• Insects

A comparison table of cicada types and their characteristics:

These survival tactics and predation methods are key elements defining cicadas’ behavior and their place in the ecosystem.

Physical Traits and Evolution

Cicada Size and Appearance

Cicadas are large-bodied insects with unique characteristics:

• Large compound eyes
• Small antennae
• Different color variations for camouflage
• Sizes varying between 1 to 1.5 inches long, including wings¹

Annual cicadas typically have greenish or camouflaged coloration². Periodical cicadas, on the other hand, possess black bodies with reddish-orange features like eyes, legs, and wing margins³.

Molting and Development of Exoskeleton

Cicadas undergo notable developmental stages:

• Nymphs live underground, feeding on roots
• Long lifespan: 2 to 5 years for some species
• Periodical cicadas spend 13 or 17 years underground⁴

Molting is a crucial part of the cicada lifecycle, coinciding with their transition from nymph to adult. Once fully grown, cicadas leave the soil to molt for the last time, shedding their nymphal skin and developing a hardened exoskeleton. Males, equipped with a vibrating membrane, use their evolved singing abilities to attract females⁵.

Heat

Heat affects cicadas’ activity. They typically sing and fly during spring or in late afternoon and evening⁶.

Comparison Table

Experts and Their Findings

Gene Kritsky

Gene Kritsky is a renowned cicada expert from Mount St. Joseph University. He explains that a cicada’s body is similar to a musical instrument:

• Body structure: Resonating chamber for sound amplification
• Mating call: Loud noise produced by the male cicadas; females are silent

Rain, however, does not seem to have a direct impact on cicada mortality.

Cicada Expert

Cicada experts have discovered numerous fascinating facts about these insects:

• Cultural significance: Symbol of rebirth, health, wealth, and happiness in some Asian cultures
• Species: Over 3,000 species found worldwide

Entomologists’ Contributions to Cicada Research

Entomologists from various universities, such as the University of Maryland and Purdue University, have contributed significantly to cicada research. They’ve learned about the insects’ life cycle and behavior:

Still, the direct impact of rain on cicadas remains inconclusive, and more research is needed to explore this relationship.

Geographical Distribution and Habitat

Cicadas in North America

Cicadas are widely distributed across North America, ranging from the eastern United States to parts of Mexico. These insects are found in diverse habitats, including forests, grasslands, and urban areas. Some species have more specific geographic ranges:

• 17-year cicadas: These are mainly found in the eastern United States, such as New York
• 13-year cicadas: Commonly emerge in Georgia and other southern states

Cicada Emergence in U.S. States

Periodical cicada populations are divided into broods, which emerge in different years and geographical areas. There’s a brood emerging in some part of the United States every year (Illinois Extension). For example:

• Brood X: This brood is one of the largest and emerged in multiple states in 2021, including New York, Georgia, and several others

Cicada emergence patterns may vary due to weather conditions. While rain itself doesn’t kill cicadas, extended periods of cold and wet weather can slow down their activity and make it difficult for them to complete their life cycle.

Common Misconceptions

Cicadas vs Locusts

• Cicadas and locusts are often mistaken for one another.
• They are, in fact, different insect species.

Here’s a comparison table to highlight their differences:

The Cicada Sting Myth

There’s a common myth that cicadas sting people. Allow me to clarify:

• Cicadas do not sting.
• They have no venom or stingers.
• Female cicadas possess an ovipositor, which is used for laying eggs.

For example, a female cicada may use her ovipositor to pierce plant stems and deposit her eggs. This process is known as oviposition and is not harmful to humans.

In summary, the myth that cicadas sting is false. Their loud noise and large size may cause alarm, but they are not harmful insects.

Cicadas In Pop Culture and News

Cicadas in Media and Art

Cicadas have been significant in various cultures since ancient times¹. In many Asian cultures, they represent re-birth, health, wealth, and happiness².

• Inspiration for art, music, and theater
• Over 3,000 cicada species found worldwide³

Cicadas in News Outlets

Cicada emergence typically occurs in late May, making them an exciting event covered by news outlets like CNN⁴.

• Periodical cicadas emerge every 13 or 17 years⁵
• Cicada lifespan is brief, adults die shortly after mating⁶

Schedule

Cicada activity generally follows this schedule:

1. Female cicada lays eggs: Eggs hatch six to seven weeks later⁷
2. Nymphs fall to the ground: The nymphs burrow into the soil
3. Development: Cicadas feed and grow underground⁸
4. Emergence: Nymphs come out of the ground and molt into adults⁹

Pros: Fascinates people, part of nature’s cycle

Cons: Can produce loud noises¹⁰, may damage young trees

Animals Affected

Cicadas can impact various animals:

• Predators: Birds, small mammals and other insects
• Threat: Do not inherently harm humans or pets

Comparison Table: Cicada Types