Why do periodical cicadas emerge together?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Predator satiation strategy
Cooperative hunting for food — Wrong. Cicadas don't hunt—they feed on plant sap. Mass emergence is a survival strategy against predators, not for finding food together.
Building nests collectively — Wrong. Cicadas don't build nests. After emerging, they mate, lay eggs in trees, and die. Their offspring burrow underground for another 13 or 17 years.
Predator satiation strategy ✓ — Correct! Periodical cicadas (13 or 17-year cycles) emerge by the billions simultaneously. This 'predator satiation' means birds, mammals, and other predators can't possibly eat them all—enough survive to reproduce! If they emerged gradually, predators would eat a much higher percentage. Safety in overwhelming numbers!
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