April 2004
National Science Foundation
The cicadas are coming, the cicadas are coming: Research on 'Brood X' cicadas focus of briefing
Full size image available through contact
Cicada experts funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) will discuss the biology, economic impact, geographic distribution and genetics of the Brood X periodical cicadas emerging from the ground this May. These large, winged insects appear by the trillions across the northeast and mid-west every 17 years.
Brood X cicadas have developed in underground holes for the past 17 years by sucking on tree roots. The insects will surface in areas where susceptible trees were present during the last infestation, which occurred in 1987. Scientists predict that Indiana alone will be infested with millions of the bugs. A particularly heavy emergence will also occur in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Among other topics, the scientists will discuss how human alteration of forests affects cicadas. Cicadas are drawn to the forest edge; because eastern forests have grown since the last emergence, this year's cicadas will likely emerge deeper in the forest and move to the edge. Tracking the cicadas' relocation is among the researchers' topics. They will also present the latest findings on the effect of cicada root parasitism on red maples; how periodical cicadas interact with the forest ecosystem as a whole; and biogeographic and behavioral research that led to the discovery of a new cicada species with a 13-year life cycle, which appears to have originated from a 17-year life cycle species.
Who: Scientists from Indiana University at Bloomington; Indiana State University; and the University of Connecticut:
Biologist Keith Clay, Indiana University, Bloomington
Geographer James Speer, Indiana State University
Geographer John Odland, Indiana University, Bloomington
Biologist Christine Simon, University of Connecticut
What: Briefing on "Brood X" Periodical Cicada Research
When: Tuesday, May 11th, 1:30 p.m.
Where: National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1295 Arlington, VA 22230
(Metro Orange Line, Ballston Stop)
For Directions, see http://www.nsf.gov/home/visit/start.htm
For more information, and to arrange for a pass to enter the NSF building, please contact:
Media contacts: Cheryl Dybas, 703-292-7734, [email protected]
Liz Malone, 703-292-7732, [email protected]
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering, with an annual budget of nearly $5.58 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 40,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes about 11,000 new funding awards. The NSF also awards over $200 million in professional and service contracts yearly.
Receive official NSF news electronically through the e-mail delivery system, NSFnews. To subscribe, send an e-mail message to [email protected]. In the body of the message, type "subscribe nsfnews" and then type your name. (Ex.: "subscribe nsfnews John Smith")
Useful NSF Web Sites:
NSF Home Page: http://www.nsf.gov
News Highlights: http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa
Newsroom: http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/media/start.htm
Science Statistics:http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/stats.htm
Awards Searches: http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/a6/A6Start.htm
| |
|