When it comes to the fascinating world of insects, few capture our attention like cicadas. These buzzing creatures are famous for their loud summer songs across Arkansas. But beyond the sound, cicadas have one of the most remarkable lifespans in the insect world. Let’s explore the unique cicada life cycle and why Arkansas summers wouldn’t be the same without them.
The Hidden Years Underground
Cicadas spend most of their lives buried as nymphs. In Arkansas, species can remain underground for 13 to 17 years, feeding on sap from tree roots. This long subterranean stage makes cicadas one of nature’s most patient insects.
The Mass Emergence
The most dramatic part of the cicada life cycle is their synchronized emergence. As soil temperatures warm in late spring or early summer, thousands of cicadas rise from the ground at once. This spectacle, often compared to a natural orchestra, is one of the most striking seasonal events in Arkansas wildlife.
Shedding and Transformation
After emerging, cicadas climb onto trees and shed their nymphal exoskeletons. This transformation reveals their adult bodies, complete with large transparent wings. At this stage, called “teneral,” cicadas are soft and vulnerable until their exoskeletons hardens.
The Iconic Song of Summer
Male cicadas create their distinctive buzzing by vibrating membranes called tymbals. These songs, sometimes reaching 100 decibels, serve as mating calls to attract females. For many Arkansans, the chorus of cicadas is a nostalgic reminder of long, hot summer days.
The Brief Adult Stage
Despite years spent underground, adult cicadas live only a few weeks. Their sole mission is to reproduce. After mating and laying eggs in tree branches, adults die, leaving behind silence where there was once a deafening buzz.
A New Generation Begins
Female cicadas deposit eggs in small slits along branches. Once hatched, the young nymphs drop to the soil and dig down, starting the cycle again. This generational rhythm is a powerful reminder of how interconnected Arkansas’s ecosystems truly are.
Takeaway: Nature’s Hidden Rhythm
The lifespan of cicadas in Arkansas shows us the beauty of patience and timing in nature. From underground nymphs to summer’s loudest songsters, these insects live extraordinary lives that shape the seasonal soundtrack of the Natural State. Next time you hear cicadas buzzing, pause and remember: you’re listening to a life cycle that began more than a decade ago.
Image Information
- Date: 8/10/23
- Time: 8:19:35 AM
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500 mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- ISO: 8000
- Aperture: f/8
- Shutter: 1/800
- Exposure Compensation: +0.7
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I love this informative post and your photo of the cicada!