Arboretum Society to host Zoom session about periodical cicadas’ rare emergence
Adult periodical cicadas are brightly colored: blue bodied with red eyes and golden wings. (photo:Stephen Lyn Bales )
Of the approximately 3,400 cicada species worldwide, only seven spend 13 or 17 years underground as nymphs before emerging as adults. These unique insects, known for their red eyes and golden wings, are among the most intriguing members of the true bug family.
This year, Brood XI will emerge in certain areas of Tennessee, continuing a pattern of annual cicada appearances across the state. In recent years, residents have witnessed Brood X in 2021 and Brood XIX in 2023. There are 15 distinct cicada broods, each emerging in different years and locations.
The upcoming presentation will feature Michelle Campanis, education coordinator at the University of Tennessee Arboretum, and naturalist and author Stephen Lyn Bales. They will provide an overview of cicada life cycles, habitats and behavior during the UT Arboretum Society’s First Thursday Nature Supper Club.
The program is free, but registration is required to receive the Zoom link and a recording of the session. To register, visit www.utarboretumsociety.org and click on the Programs tab. Closed captions will be available.
For questions or registration issues, contact Campanis at mcampani@utk.edu. To reach Bales or inquire about his books published by the University of Tennessee Press, email hellostephenlyn@gmail.com.
The Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2024, is one of 10 UT AgResearch and Education Centers across the state. The UT Institute of Agriculture includes the Herbert College of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension offices, which serve every Tennessee county.
The UT Arboretum Society will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2025. For more information, visit www.utarboretumsociety.org.
