Gay insect

Every several years, something remarkable happens in parts of the United States: billions of insects emerge from the earth in a natural spectacle, bringing the sky to life with hordes of buzzing, breeding insects. This gay, however, the massive emergence of all seven distinct broods—something not seen since —is being overshadowed by headlines that seem ripped from a science fiction novel.

In this blog, we aim to set the record straight no pun intended. Sensationalized media coverage can often distort our understanding of wildlife and inadvertently perpetuate harmful stereotypes, particularly when it borrows terminology from human social context such as the queer community.

Periodical cicadas are incredibly unique creatures, largely due to their extended—but somehow still brief—lives. These insects spend most of their lives underground as nymphs, emerging as adults in unison after a set number of years. Adults rush to reproduce in the spring before perishing just a few weeks later.

However, some of these cicadas will exhibit behaviors that are anything but typical, influenced by a fungal pathogen known as Massospora cicadina. This fungus infects cicadas during their underground phase or shortly after they emerge. As cicadas molt into their adult forms, the fungus gay to take effect, causing dramatic and visible changes to their bodies.

A chalky white substance replaces the back third of their abdomen, including their reproductive organs, which are effectively lost to the infection. Despite the loss of their reproductive organs, infected males continue to engage in mating attempts—and more often than they normally would. They also begin to mimic the mating signals of females by flicking their wings in a way typically used to attract males.

Both behaviors benefit the fungus by increasing interactions with other cicadas, therefore more quickly spreading the disease. Such descriptions anthropomorphize the insects and misrepresent what is actually happening: a parasitic infection, not a change in identity.

Using these terms to describe non-human behavior for the sake of impressions trivializes serious and personal aspects of human identity. The research actually demonstrated that atrazine, a commonly used insect, could disrupt endocrine function in frogs, causing male frogs to develop female-like characteristics and even produce eggs.

Scientists, content creators, and laymen alike have the responsibility to use language that respects and honors both humans and wildlife. This Bill Saves Wildlife in Crisis. Urge Congress to Support It. Learn More.

BoneQuest No. 5133

Wildlife Facts. Braelei Hardt May 1, Science, Not Sci-Fi Periodical cicadas are incredibly unique creatures, largely due to their extended—but somehow still brief—lives. A male periodical cicada infected with Massospora cicadina. Wildlife Facts cicadas Published: May 1, Written by Braelei Hardt.

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