the cicadas no longer sing

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C. Tomaso, S. Desjars, A. Raynal, S. Janneau – France 3

France Televisions

Due to the excessive heat, the cicadas have become mute. Ultimately, this could impact the species, since the song is used to attract females to be able to reproduce.

It is silence in the pine forest. Or almost. But where did the powerful song of the cicadas go? For the past few days, in the north of Montpellier, they have been much less likely to rub their wings. The cicadas in decline, this specialist has also noted. He conducted his own research. Its results are indisputable, the heat wave has something to do with it: “We observe the hatching date of the cicadas according to the years. The more we advance in the years, the earlier the hatching date, almost every degree gained. It’s about three to five days of precocity on hatching”.

This song is necessary for cicadas to attract females and reproduce. But beyond 38°C in the shade, it is impossible for the cicadas to sing, because it is too hot. A dangerous disappearance for the food chain. If the cicada does not sing all summer, other species are likely to find themselves very deprived, when the north wind comes.

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