No, they won't bite: Debunking 8 common myths about cicadas and the incoming Brood X
For the first time in 17 years, millions of periodical cicadas will soon be swarming Indiana. And 17 years, experts say, is just long enough for people to forget what happened last time they came.
The cicada swarm is a natural phenomenon unlike any other, as millions of cicadas that have been living underground for years emerge en masse in a monthlong mating ritual.
Brood X, the name given to this cycle of cicada emergence, is one of the largest broods in the eastern United States and is slated to appear in Indiana by late April to mid-May.
In areas of high cicada concentration it's a spectacular sight, experts say. But it's also alarming for some people, and often accompanied by a slew of misinformation and myths.
That's why Hoosier scientists are gearing up to address this misinformation head-on.
'Otherworldly':For the first time in 17 years, millions of cicadas will be swarming Indiana
Purdue University entomologist Cliff Sadof said a team of experts around the state are pooling their information and preparing messaging for people who might be surprised or fearful about the sudden onslaught of insects appearing in their backyard.
Maybe along the way, he said, they can generate some interest in a field that often flies under the radar.
"We want this to be an opportunity for people to learn about nature and insects, and begin to appreciate them a little bit more," Sadof said. "The other thing that we're trying to do is, we are trying to help maintain public calm."
Here are common myths about cicadas, debunked.
Myth: Cicadas are locusts
When a mass of cicadas shows up outside their home almost as if overnight, some people associate the emergence, much like the Biblical plague of locusts, with a bad omen.
While cicadas might be colloquially called locusts in some parts, they're actually completely different species. Locusts are a type of grasshopper, while cicadas are a distinct insect type.
Locusts swarm in large groups much like cicadas emerge all at once. But locusts are much more damaging than cicadas, eating substantial amounts of vegetation and causing significant damage for local farmers. Cicadas, on the other hand, won't destroy crops and only feed on juices from trees.
Myth: Cicadas will harm you or your pets
Although it may look a little "Night of the Living Dead" when the ground starts bubbling up with emerging cicadas, there's no reason to panic. Cicada emergences are a natural phenomenon that has taken place for tens of thousands of years. Cicadas have been around since the age of the dinosaurs.
And they can't hurt you, said Elizabeth Barnes, exotic forest pest educator at Purdue.
People tend to worry that cicadas will bite, but they don't have the mouthparts to do that, she said. Instead, they have a long, straw-like tube that they use to suck fluids from trees.
"They can't bite you, even if they want to," she said.
They also won't hurt your pets if they eat them, she said. In fact, many wildlife species will get nice and plump this year from all the extra protein. Sometimes, Barnes said, turkeys are even larger in the falls after a cicada emergence.
If your dog or cat is throwing up or acting sick, it's probably because they ate too many of them. That said, it's always a good idea to take your pet to the vet if you're concerned, she said.
Myth: Eating cicadas is gross
Although the idea of eating an insect may make some squirm, cicadas are a great source of protein and perfectly tasty, said Marten Edwards, a biology professor at Muhlenberg College.
"Seventeen years ago eating insects kind of had this yuck factor," Edwards said. "That's really changed since the last emergence. There's restaurants now that are serving insects, not as a gimmick, but actually because they're really good to eat."
For a cicada snack at peak deliciousness, Edwards suggests cooking a fresh one right after it emerges from the ground. At this point, the cicada will be pure white and soft before it hardens its shell, and there's less chance it's been affected by insecticide or other toxins.
That said, if you're allergic to shellfish, you might want to steer clear. Sadof explained that because insects are arthropods like shrimp or lobsters, there's a chance eating cicadas won't be good for you.
Myth: Cicada killer wasps are murder hornets
A type of wasp called a cicada killer or a cicada hawk feasts on cicada emergences, so if you live near an area of high cicada concentration, there's a chance you'll see these buzzing around as well.
With their striking black and yellow stripes, people will confuse them with infamous "murder hornets" that were sighted in Washington last year, Sadof said.
They're not the same, and they're probably going to leave you alone, Barnes said.
"We're trying to make sure that people know the difference between the two and not worry too much about them," she said. "It does hurt a lot if they sting you, but they're not aggressive ... these particular wasps, unless you directly threaten their nest, they should leave you alone."
Myth: Insecticides will keep cicadas away
Sadof said a major goal for the cicada team at Purdue this spring is preventing people from panicking at the sight of cicadas and then spraying insecticide all over the place.
"There are people who see bugs, and they hate them so much they just want to spray, spray, spray," Sadof said. "And that is precisely the wrong thing to do, because it's not going to have any effect."
There are too many cicadas to make an impact with insecticide, he said. In some parts of the state, there may be as many as 1.5 million cicadas per acre. Even if you kill a few cicadas, more will just take their place.
And remember, they'll only be around for a couple of weeks. Cicadas don't bite or sting, hurt your plants or your pets, and so there's really no reason to try and kill them, Sadof points out.
Myth: They'll be everywhere
Many of the maps showing where Brood X will emerge depict huge swaths of land covered in cicadas. But that's not exactly the case, Edwards said.
"It's a bit of an urban legends that they are going to be millions everywhere," Edwards said.
There will be some areas with higher concentrations of cicadas — again, as many as 1.5 million per acre — but those hot spots will probably be in forested areas. You're not likely to see concentrations near that high in many parts of Indianapolis.
Myth: Cicadas will keep you up at night
Cicadas can be loud — really loud. Some songs can reach 90 decibels, roughly the same level as a lawnmower.
Because of this, people tend to assume they'll keep them up all night, Barnes said, but that's not the case. Cicadas tend to mainly sing in the afternoon. If you hear the sounds of cicadas at night, it's probably just because a cicada was startled by something or it's the sound of something else entirely, she said.
Myth: Cicadas will hurt your plants
Possibly related to locusts' reputation for crop destruction, there's a common fear that cicadas will eat flowers, landscaping or vegetables.
They won't hurt your plants, Barnes said. In fact, they might help them. When cicadas die, their decomposing bodies have a lot of nitrogen in them, which makes for excellent fertilizer.
That said, if you have a small tree in your yard you might want to wrap it with mesh before the cicadas arrive. When they lay their eggs, female cicadas use a tool on their abdomen to saw a groove into the small twigs or branches. The result may cause those twigs to die. Large trees won't be too affected, she said, but small trees might need a little protection.
Contact IndyStar reporter London Gibson at 317-419-1912 or firstname.lastname@example.org. Follow her on Twitter @londongibson.
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