Maryland Biodiversity Project's Journal

Journal archives for May 2021

May 25, 2021

Brood X Magicicada - Please document species feeding on them

The Brood X periodical cicada emergence is an incredible phenomenon and we're excited to document it. This periodic super-abundance of insect protein means an easier than usual year for many species. For example, a wide variety of birds will have higher nesting success (i.e., more young successfully fledged), including the high potential to raise additional broods of young.

Let's try to document as many species feeding on Magicicada species as possible in Maryland this year. Please feel free to tag me (@billhubick) on iNaturalist for species feeding on periodical cicadas and I'll try to keep a master list on the MBP Magicicada page. There are also many folks studying the Magicicada emergence and the major effects on the local ecosystems. I'm sure they'll appreciate as much documentation as possible. I may also be sharing some requests for additional predator-prey detail requests soon for those really enjoying documenting these relationships. As for the periodical cicadas themselves, remember this is their amazing strategy for success - totally overwhelming and saturating the galaxy of predators so a massive remainder is successful. They sing and reproduce while their predators snooze in hammocks, fat and happy.

Here's an Eastern Chipmunk with Magicicada prey in Montgomery Co., Maryland. Photo courtesy of Emily Keith. Yes, this discussion will also show that nearly every species will take a little protein on the side when it's right there for the nibbling.

More at Maryland Biodiversity Project:
https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/18964

  • Bill
Posted on May 25, 2021 01:07 PM by billhubick billhubick | 2 comments | Leave a comment