Cicada Bloom
Danny LyonsJ
Scanned-Illustration

“Cicada Bloom” is a piece that was created from scanning an actual (expired) cicada bug. Cicadas are fascinating because they live most of their lives between 1-8 feet underground. After 13 or 17 years underground, depending on the species, the nymph eventually climbs out of the ground, molts to become an adult, sings, reproduces and dies in about two weeks. This happens in large numbers within just a few days over thousands of miles. This explosion of cicadas is referred to as a “cicada bloom.” The numbers 13 and 17 are prime numbers. Based on these prime numbers, some scientists think the cicada’s life cycle makes it more difficult for nature to time a predator species to coincide with cicada blooms, thereby ensuring the safety of the species.

This piece is being shown at the "Underground" exhibition. For more information about the show, click on the Underground flyer below: