Cicadas

2024 - 3 - 20

Why Do Cicadas Power Spray Their Pee? The Bizarre Truth Revealed

Cicadas - Fluid dynamics - Insects - Nature - Science

Find out why billions of cicadas are set to emerge this spring and why they might pee on you! Discover the secret behind cicadas' powerful jets of urine.

Cicadas, those noisy creatures that fill the summer air with their buzzing calls, have a surprising secret hidden in their biology – they power spray their pee! These thirsty insects are known to produce more forceful jets of urine than some mammals, which has intrigued scientists for years. As billions of cicadas prepare to emerge across Illinois and other states this spring, it's essential to beware of potential encounters that could lead to a surprise shower of cicada pee.

The upcoming cicada emergence is part of a rare 'double brood' phenomenon, where both the 17-year Brood XIII and the 13-year Brood XIX cicadas are preparing to make their appearance. These bugs, belonging to the genus Magicicada in the eastern United States, are known for their synchronized and spectacular emergence after years of underground development. Dr. Elizabeth Long, an expert from Purdue University, sheds light on the ridiculously rare event and explains the fascinating biology behind these remarkable insects.

In the midst of the anticipated cicada invasion, it's crucial to be aware of the risk of being peed on by these insects when they surface. While their pee may not pose a significant threat, it adds a quirky element to the already captivating phenomenon. As we brace ourselves for the cicada swarm, let's marvel at the wonders of nature and the peculiar behaviors of these buzzing creatures that are about to take over the landscape this spring.

In conclusion, the upcoming cicada emergence serves as a reminder of the incredible diversity and resilience of the insect world. Despite their short lifespan above ground, cicadas play a vital role in ecosystems and contribute to the overall balance of nature. So, when a cicada pees on you this spring, remember that it's just nature's way of reminding us of the fascinating and sometimes surprising aspects of the insect kingdom.

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Image courtesy of "Scientific American"

Why Cicadas Power Spray Their Pee (Scientific American)

Thirsty cicadas produce more powerful jets of urine than some mammals.

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Image courtesy of "WGN-TV"

Beware: Cicadas could pee on you when they surface this spring (WGN-TV)

CHICAGO — Billions of cicadas will emerge across Illinois this spring, as well as several other states. We all know know the insect's distinctive features ...

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Image courtesy of "WPVI-TV"

Billions of cicadas are set to appear in a rare 'double brood ... (WPVI-TV)

This spring's bugs are part of a genus, or group, of cicadas in the eastern US known as the Magicicada, or periodical cicadas.

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Image courtesy of "WRTV Indianapolis"

Ridiculously rare cicada emergence: 6 question with a Purdue bug ... (WRTV Indianapolis)

WRTV asked Dr. Elizabeth Long about this summer's ridiculously rare emergence of the 17-year Brood XIII and the 13-year Brood XIX cicadas.

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

Scientists studied how cicadas pee. Their insights could shed light ... (NPR)

Cicadas, and the way they urinate, offer a 'perfect' lab for understanding fluid dynamics at very small scales, researchers say.

The unusual manner in which cicadas pee — and why the ... (knkx.org)

Little insects pee in droplets. But it turns out that cicadas pee in jets — and why and how they do it could help scientists better understand microfluidics ...

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Image courtesy of "WLS-TV"

17-year cicadas in Illinois part of 'double brood emergence' that will ... (WLS-TV)

The last time cicadas came out in Illinois was 17 years ago. This they they're part of a 'double brood emergence' that will unleash billions of bugs.

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Image courtesy of "WGCU News"

Scientists studied how cicadas pee. Their insights could shed light ... (WGCU News)

Cicadas, and the way they urinate, offer a 'perfect' lab for understanding fluid dynamics at very small scales, researchers say.

The unusual manner in which cicadas pee — and why the ... (90.5 WESA)

Little insects pee in droplets. But it turns out that cicadas pee in jets — and why and how they do it could help scientists better understand microfluidics ...

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Image courtesy of "MyStateline.com"

Can you eat cicadas? Billions of tasty bugs expected in Illinois this ... (MyStateline.com)

Cicadas have been referred to as "shrimp of the land" and have been the subject of a cicada cookbook. They're also a traditional fried food in Thailand.

The unusual manner in which cicadas pee — and why the ... (Tri States Public Radio)

ARI DANIELS, BYLINE: Not all animals pee in the same way. On the one hand, says Elio Challita, a bioinspired roboticist at Harvard University, you have larger ...

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Image courtesy of "WSB Atlanta"

Cicadas could 'stream jets' of urine on you this spring, researchers say (WSB Atlanta)

The Georgia Tech College of Engineering said cicadas pee like large mammals. The college said its researchers are the first ones to study this.

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Image courtesy of "The Daily Progress"

As billions of loud, alien-like bugs invade this spring, here's what ... (The Daily Progress)

For the first time in 221 years, more than a trillion of two particular periodical cicada broods are set to surface this spring. Brood XIX surfaces every 13 ...

The unusual manner in which cicadas pee — and why the ... (NPR)

Little insects pee in droplets. But it turns out that cicadas pee in jets — and why and how they do it could help scientists better understand microfluidics ...

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Image courtesy of "NBC Chicago"

The 1 thing you can do to potentially limit the number of cicadas in ... (NBC Chicago)

"There's no stopping them," Allen Lawrance, associate curator of entomology at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago said. "They're here. It's temporary, ...

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Image courtesy of "Indiana Daily Student"

Indiana to witness rare dual emergence of cicada broods (Indiana Daily Student)

Brood X cicadas are pictured June 10, 2021, in Danville, Illinois. The last time both the Brood XIII and Brood XIX cicadas surfaced from the ground at the ...

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Image courtesy of "ABC15 Arizona"

Study finds cicadas could project high-speed jets of urine at you (ABC15 Arizona)

Scroll down to watch how cicadas project jets of urine and could potentially spray you with their pee if you are considered a threat.

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Image courtesy of "Fox17"

Study finds cicadas could project high-speed jets of urine at you (Fox17)

Scroll down to watch how cicadas project jets of urine and could potentially spray you with their pee if you are considered a threat.

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Image courtesy of "WPTV.com"

Study finds cicadas could project high-speed jets of urine at you (WPTV.com)

Scroll down to watch how cicadas project jets of urine and could potentially spray you with their pee if you are considered a threat.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "New Hampshire Public Radio"

Scientists studied how cicadas pee. Their insights could shed light ... (New Hampshire Public Radio)

Cicadas, and the way they urinate, offer a 'perfect' lab for understanding fluid dynamics at very small scales, researchers say.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "KTVQ Billings News"

Study finds cicadas could project high-speed jets of urine at you (KTVQ Billings News)

Scroll down to watch how cicadas project jets of urine and could potentially spray you with their pee if you are considered a threat.

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