Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

elleng

(131,028 posts)
Sat May 29, 2021, 03:25 PM May 2021

Cicadas feel the chill and have shut down, but they'll bounce back.

Temperatures in the Washington region Saturday afternoon, stuck between 50 and 55 degrees, are about as cold as they get at this time of year. Does this unseasonable weather endanger cicadas?

They’re certainly feeling the chill, but should be okay.

The insects have stopped chorusing, mating and flying. For the most part, they are clinging to trees motionless. On Saturday morning in Oakton, there was no cicada noise. On Thursday, it had surged to an almost deafening 89 decibels.

“The cold spell will certainly dampen activity, and there will be attrition,” Daniel Gruner, a professor of entomology at the University of Maryland, wrote in an email. “But they’ll hunker down and bounce back when it warms again.” >>>

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/05/29/cold-weather-cicadas/?

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Cicadas feel the chill and have shut down, but they'll bounce back. (Original Post) elleng May 2021 OP
Yeah, I noticed that earlier today Deep State Witch May 2021 #1
I feel bad for them. Really bad luck in weather here soothsayer May 2021 #2
There's one clinging to the window screen by my desk Wicked Blue May 2021 #3
I remember them in '87 I think it was, but 2004? Zip. /nt bucolic_frolic May 2021 #4
WaPo has a dog that won't stop eating cicadas IronLionZion May 2021 #5

Deep State Witch

(10,440 posts)
1. Yeah, I noticed that earlier today
Sat May 29, 2021, 03:35 PM
May 2021

I was out running errands earlier today. NO cicada sounds! It was great after the auditory assault of the past week!

Wicked Blue

(5,845 posts)
3. There's one clinging to the window screen by my desk
Sat May 29, 2021, 04:20 PM
May 2021

It does not seem happy.

I wish I could give it a tiny sweater to wear.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»District of Columbia»Cicadas feel the chill an...