News outlets here in the United States have been buzzing in recent weeks in preparation of the emergence of periodical cicadas in the eastern states this spring and summer. The Brood II Magicicada will be out in force in states like New York, Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. After spending most of their lives underground, feeding on the juices of plants, these black-bodied flying insects emerge every 13 or 17 years to mate, lay eggs and die.
In 2004, I witnessed a cicada emergence first hand while I spent a summer home from college in Columbus, Ohio. Large parts of the United States (including the Buckeye State) were occupied by Brood X cicadas. At the time, I was a hopeless romantic 19-year-old who had recently moved from Chicago and was begrudgingly employed at a local ice cream shop. I can still remember eating my lunch every day in the park behind shop listening to the deafening drone of those lovesick bugs performing their ritual of reproduction. Read More
Insects that Flee the Sun
animalworld.com.ua
The Red Roman Spider, also known as a Sun Spider or Wind Scorpion, is a strange creature, belonging to the Arachnida class. Although its name suggests it is a spider; this is actually not the case. The only likeness that they share with spiders is that they have eight legs. They also somewhat resemble scorpions. Now, if this fact doesn’t leave you intrigued, it is also worth mentioning that these creatures are not poisonous and do not have venom sacs, although they are found to be very aggressive and can inflict painful bites. Read More »