Monumental symphony performance in
Springfield, Illinois, will
feature curated songs that harmonize with the singing and rhythm of
trillions of cicadas
ATLANTA, May 22, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Trillions of newly-emerged cicadas are
about to crank up the volume on the sweet sounds of summer in much
of the country – particularly across the Southeast and Midwest. For
the first time in 221 years, two broods of periodic cicadas will
emerge from the ground at the same time. To commemorate this
historic event, Orkin will host an "Orkinstra" symphony in
Springfield, Illinois, to coincide
with what experts believe will be the peak area and time for this
double brood emergence.
On Saturday, June 8, at
6 p.m. CT at Lincoln Memorial
Gardens, Orkin will host the public to join dozens of
classically-trained musicians as they play a never-before-heard
symphony composed to incorporate the singing and rhythm of this
summer's loudest and most vocal insect. Those interested in
attending can sign up at orkin.com/orkinstra.
Music composer Bryan Rheude has
orchestrated a seven-act symphony based on the cicada life cycle.
This 45-minute performance will be streamed live on Orkin's TikTok
and the curated songs will be available on Spotify following the
event. Orkin is also commemorating this historic event by releasing
a limited-edition t-shirt, available for free to cicada and
symphony enthusiasts, while supplies last.
"This summer's 'Orkinstra' was composed specifically with the
cicadas in mind," said Ian Williams,
technical manager for Orkin and board-certified entomologist.
"These emergent events come in large numbers. What's special about
periodic cicadas is their scheduled emergence – and their near
absence during the years in between. Knowing exactly when they'll
emerge can be difficult to determine. The event is based on a
variety of environmental conditions being met, such as soil
temperature, soil moisture and Mother Nature."
Cicadas have some of the longest insect lifespans, but they
spend most of their lives underground. For cicadas to emerge, the
top eight inches of soil need to be at least 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
Then, they are likely to emerge after a warm rain. So, when the
conditions are right – starting this month in some states – the two
broods of periodic cicadas will emerge after more than a decade in
the ground.
- After 13 years, Brood XIX is set to emerge in 16 states across
the Southeast and Midwest.
- The 17-year Brood XIII will emerge in five Midwestern states:
Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan.
The double emergence of these two broods, with all seven species
of periodical cicadas out at the same time, won't happen again in
these general areas until 2245. With potentially trillions of
cicadas rising from the earth, it's natural to be a little unsure
of what to expect, but don't worry, cicadas aren't pests at
all.
"Cicadas aren't dangerous to people, property, plants or crops,
so the best thing to do is leave them alone," Williams said.
"Contrary to common names, cicadas are not locusts; they belong to
different families. Cicadas only emerge in such large numbers as a
survival tactic to overwhelm predators with numbers of
individuals."
So, how loud can cicadas get? At close range, cicada singing can
measure between 80 and 120 decibels, which places them between the
loudness of a hair dryer and a commercial jet aircraft engine. And,
what's more, the cicadas' song is created by an all-male chorus.
It's part of the male's attempt to attract a mate.
While the cicadas' singing will be hard to miss across the
Southeast and Midwest, residents are also likely to find another
tell-tale sign of their emergence – molted cicada skins. Once they
emerge, cicadas will molt into adults and mate before dying. They
only last about a month above ground. People have likely already
started seeing these molted skins on tree trunks, outdoor
furniture, fences – just about anywhere outside! Once the new
generation arrives, the nymphs will bury themselves in the soil and
lay dormant until the brood's next cycle.
For more information on this monumental "Orkinstra" event, visit
orkin.com/orkinstra. While Orkin doesn't treat for cicadas, visit
Orkin.com to schedule an inspection for treatment of general
summertime pests and to speak with your Orkin Pro about how you can
reduce cicadas from disturbing your yard.
About Orkin, LLC
Founded in 1901, Atlanta-based
Orkin aspires to be the world's best service company. As an
industry leader in essential pest control services, Orkin offers
protection against termite damage, rodents and insects, providing a
safe place for people to live, work and play. Orkin has more than
360 owned-and-operated branch offices and more than 45 franchise
locations in the U.S and international franchises and subsidiaries
in Canada, Europe, Central
America, South America, the
Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, the Mediterranean, Africa, and Mexico. Through its values of safety,
integrity, innovation, professionalism and empathy, Orkin is
committed to protecting public health by helping prevent and
control pests as well as educating consumers on the potential
health risks posed by these pests. As such, since 2020, Orkin has
partnered with the American Red
Cross® to inform the public about the health threats of
mosquitoes while boosting our country's blood supply through
monetary contributions and blood donations. Orkin is committed to
hiring the world's best to deliver the peace of mind only a
service-minded Orkin Pro can provide. Learn more about careers at
Orkin here. Visit Orkin.com for additional information. Orkin
is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rollins Inc. (NYSE: ROL).
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SOURCE Orkin, LLC