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Biology class studies 17
BY CHANDLER BOESE @CHANDLER_BOESE
After almost two decades underground, the 17-year periodical eicada emerged this spring to feed, grow mate, lay eggs and die all in four to six weeks.
The Biology of Cicadas class at the University has spent the last three weeks learning about these insects and observing them in the field before the cicadas go back underground for the next 17 years.
Since May 19, the class has been spending its time at the University's Field Station researching, observing and talking about the insects.
The class spent most of its time in the field, Kaleah Ault, a senior from Lawrence said. The students collected shells, marked borrowing holes and looked for different species of
cicadas.
Because of the cicadas' burrowing patterns, the opportunity to study them this closely is a rare one, Kristen Manion, a junior from Kansas City, Mo., said.
"How often do you get to take a class on cicadas? Only once every 17 years," Manion said.
The class got to look beyond just the typical facts about the insects, such as their life cycles or diets. For example, Manion said cicadas can contract a sexually transmitted fungus that causes their stomachs to break off from their bodies.
Tim Eberhart, a senior from Topeka, said he finds the cicadas' burrowing patterns to be the most interesting part of them.
When they are underground, the cicadas survive on the xylem of tree roots,the part that helps the tree
absorb water from the soil a it, Eberhart said. Then, when sense it's time to emerge, th their way up through the soil.
"They have no real defense in nism," Ault said. "Their main of defense is predator satiate the idea that they make so mthem] that all the animals can and eat as many as they want they'll be able to make it up."
On Thursday and Friday, the wrapped up with two public to teach others about the cica
"It's one thing to learn son
it's another thing to be take that knowledge and tran to other people," Robert Hag class' professor, said.
The class participated in the of Summer event at South Thursday, where they discuss cicadas with people and o