Tom
I am a FH squatter
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2003
- Messages
- 17,212
Cicadas
These are small, locust-like insects, who emerge like clockwork on a 17-year cycle to wreak havoc (well, havoc to those people who dislike insects).
What puzzles me, is why 17 years? What is scientifically significant about 17 years? There must be a reason for it, some evolutionary advantage perhaps, possibly something in pre-history that we are unaware of?
The timing of things like monthly periods for women (caused by the lunar cycle), seasonal mating for various other creatures (caused by the seasons duh), they're all very obvious, but 17 years is going to take some serious guesswork IMO.
These are small, locust-like insects, who emerge like clockwork on a 17-year cycle to wreak havoc (well, havoc to those people who dislike insects).
What puzzles me, is why 17 years? What is scientifically significant about 17 years? There must be a reason for it, some evolutionary advantage perhaps, possibly something in pre-history that we are unaware of?
The timing of things like monthly periods for women (caused by the lunar cycle), seasonal mating for various other creatures (caused by the seasons duh), they're all very obvious, but 17 years is going to take some serious guesswork IMO.