Nature & Environment
Live Cicada Cam: Insects Expected to Hit the East Coast by the Billions (Video)
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: May 28, 2013 12:07 PM EDT
Most of us have been simply dreading the cicada invasion that comes every 17 years. However, for those who haven't seen it yet, it's coming-and better yet, you can check out what some Cicada's are doing live on the Cicada Cam, via Science Channel.
This streaming live video (which you can see if you click below) shows the insects up close and personal. (And personally, a bit too close for us!) They've got some beady red eyes and fluttery wings that may make you cringe. But, regardless, these live clips give you a better glimpse into what's about to emerge on the East Coast by the billions.
The life cycle of these bugs can be rather bizarre. According to the Periodical Cicada, babies develop underground and suck juices from plant roots. After 13 to 17 years below ground, they mature to nymphs that emerge from the soil at night and into the morning hours. They soon after molt into winged adults, shed their outer skins or exoskeletons.
Adult cicadas only live for about two to four weeks, during which they feed relatively little. Male cicadas sing by vibrating membranes on the underside of the first abdominal segment, which helps aid in courtship between a female cicada. Females, on the other hand, are silent.
Female cicadas can lay up to 400 eggs each in 40 to 50 different sites, which usually remain in the nesting area for up to a six to ten week period before hatching begins.
During the spring of the emergency year, cicadas can be seen in large numbers--usually around June through August.
"By appearing suddenly in overwhelming numbers, scientists believe that predators such as birds, rodents, snakes and even fish become so full while feasting on the bugs that plenty more remain alive to mate and lay eggs," said Monte Morin, according to The New York Times.
Even this little glimpse of cicadas makes us feel a bit nervous about the upcoming months. What do you think?
Want to see the Live Cicada cam? Check it out, below!
Live video by Animal Planet L!ve
See Now:
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First Posted: May 28, 2013 12:07 PM EDT
Most of us have been simply dreading the cicada invasion that comes every 17 years. However, for those who haven't seen it yet, it's coming-and better yet, you can check out what some Cicada's are doing live on the Cicada Cam, via Science Channel.
This streaming live video (which you can see if you click below) shows the insects up close and personal. (And personally, a bit too close for us!) They've got some beady red eyes and fluttery wings that may make you cringe. But, regardless, these live clips give you a better glimpse into what's about to emerge on the East Coast by the billions.
The life cycle of these bugs can be rather bizarre. According to the Periodical Cicada, babies develop underground and suck juices from plant roots. After 13 to 17 years below ground, they mature to nymphs that emerge from the soil at night and into the morning hours. They soon after molt into winged adults, shed their outer skins or exoskeletons.
Adult cicadas only live for about two to four weeks, during which they feed relatively little. Male cicadas sing by vibrating membranes on the underside of the first abdominal segment, which helps aid in courtship between a female cicada. Females, on the other hand, are silent.
Female cicadas can lay up to 400 eggs each in 40 to 50 different sites, which usually remain in the nesting area for up to a six to ten week period before hatching begins.
During the spring of the emergency year, cicadas can be seen in large numbers--usually around June through August.
"By appearing suddenly in overwhelming numbers, scientists believe that predators such as birds, rodents, snakes and even fish become so full while feasting on the bugs that plenty more remain alive to mate and lay eggs," said Monte Morin, according to The New York Times.
Even this little glimpse of cicadas makes us feel a bit nervous about the upcoming months. What do you think?
Want to see the Live Cicada cam? Check it out, below!
Live video by Animal Planet L!ve
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone