In Forest Park, Illinois, Mayumi Barrack has become known as the queen of cicada chasers, posting over 4,600 photos of the bugs on the Cicada Safari app. Despite not being a bug person, Barrack finds the cicadas adorable and sees herself as a caretaker for them. Gene Kritsky, a biology professor, has been studying cicadas for decades and created an app for enthusiasts to track and post pictures of the bugs. This year marks his third time mapping Brood XIII of the cicadas, as they emerge every 17 years.
New York City chef Joseph Yoon sees cicadas not just as amazing creatures but also as potential food. His company, Brooklyn Bugs, aims to promote the taste and sustainability of edible insects, serving up tempura cicadas to 400 people at a Syracuse University event. Yoon acknowledges the pain of collecting and cooking cicadas as he loves the bugs, but believes that each cicada’s life has the potential to change someone’s perception of eating insects.
Not only are cicadas the subject of scientific study and culinary experimentation, they also inspire art. Wisconsin artist Jennifer Angus incorporates cicadas into her artwork, creating pieces that feature the bugs in costumes and posed as dolls. Interior design professor Renee Martin from the University of Kentucky combines her passion for art and puppetry by performing a cicada-themed strip-tease puppet show at a Cincinnati puppet festival. Her performance, complete with noisemakers and audience participation, adds a humorous twist to the cicada frenzy.
As cicadas continue to emerge in large numbers, enthusiasts, including Barrack and Kritsky, are documenting their experiences through photos and apps. Nearly 5,000 people have posted pictures of cicadas on Kritsky’s app, with Barrack leading the way with over 4,600 photos. While some may find the bugs gross or intriguing, others like Barrack and Kritsky see cicadas as a gateway to natural history. The emergence of periodical cicadas offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the beauty and complexity of these insects that only come out once every 17 years.
In conclusion, the cicada emergence in Forest Park, Illinois, has brought together a diverse group of enthusiasts, from photographers and biologists to chefs and artists. As the bugs continue to captivate people’s attention, their presence serves as a reminder of the fascinating and intricate world of nature. Whether through scientific research, culinary exploration, or artistic expression, cicadas have become a source of inspiration and wonder for many individuals in the community.
