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Brood X cicada’s re-emergence will provoke copperhead feeding frenzy in southern Illinois

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Illinois

Many of you may have already read about the Brood X cicadas that are set to emerge from their underground habitat starting around mid-May 2021 or once temperatures below ground reach 64°F. Once these critters come marching out of the ground, a host of other critters will descend upon them. Cicadas make a tasty meal for many other creatures including birds, amphibians, fish, some mammals, and reptiles including copperheads. Watch out this spring and summer! There may be more copperheads than normal slithering about as they hunt for some crunchy cicada snacks.

These cicadas are special and were last seen in 2004. This year, millions of them will march out from the ground across 15 states, including Illinois, and will first search for higher ground.

The nymphs will shed their external skeleton and will be able to fly - that is, if they survive potential predators and make it to this stage. They then mate, lay eggs, and die several days later. The next Brood X crew won’t emerge for another 17 years.

These insects are incredibly noisy but harmless. But what isn’t harmless is at least one predator - the eastern copperhead.

Yes, eastern copperheads do exist in Illinois. They are found mainly in the southern third part of the state in forests, river bluffs, and rocky outcroppings.

Depending on where you live in the Prairie State, you may not have to worry about these venomous snakes. But if you do live close to where they do and in an area that will also experience a Brood X cicada infestation, let this serve as a warning to watch out!

It’s too early in the day to post the pics, so click here to see them yourselves.

More info here and here.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 9:58 am

Comments

Hah. I thought this was about Eastern bloc-heads.

Comment by walker Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 10:03 am
If you go hiking in the Shawnee National Forest, Giant City, of Trail of Tears, leave the shorts and sandals at home.
Long pants and boots, and carry a walking stick.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 10:06 am
Gotta love southern Illinois, especially in the spring.

Comment by Siualum Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 10:14 am
I always pronounce “Cicadas” the way Jerry Garcia does. It sounds better that way.

Counting stars by candlelight
all are dim but one is bright
The spiral light of Venus
rising first and shining best
On, from the northwest corner
of a brand new crescent moon
While crickets and cicadas sing
a rare and different tune
Terrapin station

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xg-2geyOm4&ab_channel=chasefukuoka61

Comment by Paddyrollingstone Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 10:45 am
Why would Confederate sympathizers and fellow travelers be eating bugs?
.
.
.
What? Oh. Never mind.

Comment by Emily Litella Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 11:15 am
wow, I turn to CapFax for government and politics and a Dale Bowman Sun Times type column broke out. (if you don’t read Dale’s work, you should. fantastic writer, covers hunting and fishing and wild watching and foraging in action, and government regulation ways. his work is a must read for thoughts on guns.)

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 11:18 am
When the cicadas appeared up here in Northern Illinois back in 2007 we had to cut back on our dog’s regular food because he was gorging himself on the nymphs.

We have many mature trees on our property and at night you could hear the nymphs coming out of their holes and crawling along the ground & grass. If you stopped to listen our back yard sounded like Rice Krispies after you added the milk.

Comment by anonamoose Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 12:35 pm
I can never hear the cicadas over my tinnitus . . . . sigh

Comment by Flapdoodle Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 12:47 pm
Extra busy on Snake Road in SIL?

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 3:01 pm
I once fought a bass for a cicada while bank fishing a small pond…I cast a topwater lure at a cicada stranded in the water near the shoreline…I twitched the “minnow” and a big bass exploded choosing the cicada over my plug…causing me to reflexively set the hook…into my forearm…Instant Karma it was.

Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 3:04 pm
“- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 3:01 pm:

Extra busy on Snake Road in SIL?”

I thought of Snake Road when I read this…Slithery.

Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 3:10 pm
“If you go hiking in the Shawnee National Forest…” - Flyin’ Elvis

On my list of “first things to do”…I’m going to take a long shroom walk when COVID is under control.

Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 3:51 pm
Cool Papa Bell -
If Snake Road gets any busier they’ll have to install a stoplight. Man the influx of visitors has risen sharply…not sure how sustainable that’s ultimately going to be.

Comment by DownSouth Thursday, Apr 15, 21 @ 7:23 pm