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Date: April 28, 2024 at 10:32:51
From: ryan, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Zombie-like fungus could turn cicadas into ‘saltshakers of death’ this |
URL: https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/4627259-zombie-like-fungus-could-turn-cicadas-into-saltshakers-of-death-this-summer-experts/ |
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Zombie-like fungus could turn cicadas into ‘saltshakers of death’ this summer: experts
by Laura Morrison and Addy Bink - 04/28/24 11:09 AM ET
CLEVELAND (WJW/NEXSTAR) — An epic amount of cicadas are expected to soon infiltrate over a dozen states, with two broods emerging from their current earthen homes to fill the air with their song.
But some of the bugs will bring far more foul luggage: a fungus that has a zombie-like effect on their bodies and minds. If your own mind immediately conjured thoughts of “The Last of Us,” don’t worry — this fungus will only affect cicadas.
We’re only a couple of weeks away from Brood XIX emerging. Considered the largest periodical cicada group, they emerge every 13 years. Then, another group, Brood XIII, will emerge. This group resurfaces every 17 years. Some are referring to it as a “cicada-geddon,” with trillions of cicadas expected to appear with one mission: to mate, and start the process all over again.
But they won’t all be affected by the Massospora cicadina fungus, researchers at West Virginia University recently told CNN. Current predictions say there is a chance that only about 10% of the cicadas that emerge in the coming weeks will be infected.
Dr. Matt Kasson, an associate professor of mycology and forest pathology at WVU, explained to CNN that it will be grisly for that group. The fungus will grow inside of them until there’s nowhere else to go and “a clump of spores erupts out of where the genitals and abdomen once were. It looks like there’s a gumdrop that’s been dropped in chalk dust, glued to the backside of these cicadas.”
The fungus also causes limb loss, and male cicadas will go around in a “hypersexual” state, trying to mate with anything they encounter.
“They are only zombies in the sense that the fungus is in control of their bodies,” Kasson said in 2019 when he and a group of researchers published a study showing the fungus contains chemicals not unlike those in hallucinogenic mushrooms.
Students at the university dubbed these bugs “flying salt shakers of death,” as they’re able to release and spread spores after the grisly gumdrop has been removed from their abdomen. Those spores can spread the fungus to the next group of cicadas.
Rarely-seen ‘species of concern’ captured on West Virginia trail cam
Unfortunately for the cicadas, the fungus reaches them while they’re underground. Then, within about a week of emerging from their years-long slumber, the fungal infection appears, according to WVU.
Scientists hope further research of the fungus could lead to new drug discovery while working to analyze what this means for cicada genetics.
Should the thought of fungus-filled cicadas entice your tastebuds for some reason, it’s worth noting that, according to researchers, you would need to eat a lot of them to feel the effects of the hallucinogenic mushroom-like chemicals. And, like most possibly-infected things, experts say you shouldn’t eat them anyway.
The cicadas of Broods XIX and XII, zombie-like or not, are expected to awaken from their naps (which started in 2011 and 2007, respectively) next month, if they aren’t already. This is the first time they’ll co-emerge since 1803, according to the University of Connecticut.
Whether you see any cicadas depends on where you live. Outside of hurting your ears with their singing or spattering you with their urine, cicadas are harmless to humans and pets.
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Date: April 28, 2024 at 22:13:02
From: EQF, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Two Special Cicada Observation Areas - Apr. 29, 2024 |
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Posted by EQF on April 29, 2024
Here are some additional facts or opinions.
If I have this right, cicadas are reportedly good eating as they contain large amounts of protein.
However, as your report suggested, is it probably not a good idea to try eating them. There are several reasons for that that are not listed in that report. I believe that I am probably right with both opinions. But I am not sure about that.
1. Some people who are not used to eating bugs (including me) might experience an allergic reaction to any number of chemicals etc. contained in the bugs.
2. Since they live underground for such a long time before they emerge, they might have been exposed to dangerous pesticides and other potentially toxic chemicals. If that is the case, then someone eating them might then get a dose of those pesticides etc.
If they are eating cicadas at locations such as in the middle of forests where there would normally not be any chemicals being sprayed, the cicadas are likely safe to eat. I especially wouldn't try to eat one that was present near a golf course as lots of chemicals can be applied to the green areas etc. to keep weeds under control.
SOME OTHER CICADA TOPICS
1. While underground they apparently feast on tree and grass roots etc.
2. When they emerge they attack trees where they lay their eggs in the twigs. That can damage young trees. But most of them reportedly survive. They might just be stunted for a year or so.
3. Reportedly, they are underground for so many years so that when they do emerge, no matter how many birds and other animals feast on them, there are so many of them that a good fraction will still mate and reproduce.
4. The two main groups of cicadas scientists are talking about emerge once every 13 years and once every 17 years. This is the first time since Thomas Jefferson was the U.S. President that both groups have emerged at the same time.
5. There are groups of cicadas that emerge every year if I read that correctly. I have personally seen that happen but didn't know that they do that until I did some reading. I previously thought that the yearly cicadas were just 13 or 17 year group members that got their timing wrong.
6. Perhaps the best places to observe them this year are two locations. One is near Springfield, Illinois. The other is at some location in Iowa.
The reason that those two locations are so special is that they are the only locations where both the 13 and 17 year groups overlap. So, if all goes well, those locations should have perhaps twice as many cicadas flying round at the same time as any other locations.
I don't know what the chances are that both groups will emerge at exactly the same time at those two locations. But it sounds like that will be the case.
If I were a bug specialist I would probably try to schedule a visit to one or both of those locations just to see all the excitement.
That SHOULD be exciting for bug specialists. From what I understand, many people who don't like cicadas tend to go on vacation around the time of a normal cicada event. I would expect that they would be especially interested in doing that this year if they live in one of those areas where both groups will emerge.
7. The cicadas don't appear across the entire U.S. during these events. Instead, they generally appear in areas around the Midwest and a little farther to the East. I don't believe that they appear anywhere near the U.S. East and West coasts or in Canada or Mexico.
8. The noise that the cicadas make when they emerge is really, really intense. I would expect that this would be especially the case in the two areas where those two groups will overlap.
These are personal opinions.
Regards to all,
EQF
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