For a small insect, crickets have caused quite a stir this year.
This spring and summer, a rare double breeding emergence of crickets will take place, meaning trillions of male crickets (the insects) will sing their mating song – a distinctive buzz that can reach 100 decibels, which is comparable to the sound of a blender.
More: Alabama Cicada-geddon: Trillions of insects emerge in rare double breeding event
The two cicada broods will cover a wide area, including Alabama and 16 other states in the Midwest and South. This is the first time since 1803 that two broods have emerged at the same time, so many misconceptions about cicadas have surfaced.
John Abbott, entomologist and chief curator and director of the University of Alabama’s department of museum research and collections, has debunked some of these myths.
Here’s what Abbott had to say, according to an article on the University of Alabama News Center website.
Can the buzzing cicada sound damage your hearing?
“I doubt they can damage your hearing, but they can be loud if you’re in the middle of a large turnout. I’ve read about 100 decibels, similar to standing next to a lawn mower engine,” said Abbott.
Can crickets bite people?
“They’re harmless. They can’t bite,” said Abbott. “They can grab you if you pick them up, but not in a painful or harmful way.”
Are crickets harmful to pets if eaten?
“No, rather they are a tasty treat for many,” said Abbott.
Can crickets damage plants or damage crops?
“Generally not,” said Abbott. “Despite large numbers, they have been feeding on the roots of underground trees for the past thirteen years. The adults do feed on the sap of trees, but only in rare situations would they actually harm them.”
Will the buzzing of the cicada attract copperhead snakes?
“No, not the sound, but their presence might. Periodical cicadas appear en masse to satiate predators,” said Abbott. “There are so many that predators can fill up on them, but most crickets survive to reproduce. Because of the large numbers (think all-you-can-eat buffet) they can attract predators including raccoons, coyotes, birds, snakes and more. Copperheads eat crickets, so the sheer number of them can be attractive to snakes.”
Can people with a shellfish allergy eat crickets?
A person with a shellfish allergy can eat cicadas, but should be careful, Abbott said.
“They are related (both crickets and crustaceans are arthropods), so depending on your allergy you might have an allergic reaction to them, but you might not,” he said.
According to other experts, crickets are safe for most people to eat. Cicadas are a good source of protein, fiber and minerals. People from Thailand to Mexico and the North African regions eat crickets for their taste and nutritional value, experts say.
Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Six cicada myths: University of Alabama bug expert weighs in
