Category: Insects

Every 13 years in the Southeast and parts of the Midwest, countless cicadas rise out of the ground and breed. The spring and summer of 2024 marks the thirteenth year since the cicada brood known as brood XIX’s last emergence, which means in a few months they’ll be everywhere.

Jonathan talks with Clemson University entomologist Eric Benson about the fascinating lifecycle of what are called “periodical cicadas.”

Benson is going to tell us what we learned about brood XIX when it emerged in 2011, what we can expect when they come out again in 2024, and what citizens can do to help scientists understand this wonder of nature.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

SHOW NOTES

Brood XIX
UConn Brood XIX website
Magicicada tredecim 3D models and mating calls

Retirees and warm-weather seekers aren’t the only ones clamoring to move to the state of South Carolina. The Palmetto State is also under extreme pressure from invasive insects and plants that could devastate its agriculture industry and forests. In fact, a recent global report estimates that invasive species cause countries $423 billion a year in damage to crops, water, forests, wildlife, and more.

In this episode of Earthly, Jonathan talks to Steven Long about South Carolina’s fight against invasives.

Long is assistant director of a state program that works with Clemson Cooperative Extension Agents, researchers and other state and federal agencies to battle insects, plants and plant diseases that are already here or are trying their best to get here.

He gives an update on some notorious invaders we’re currently battling, and others that we’re trying to keep out.

Transcript

SHOW NOTES

Giant African Land Snail

Spotted Lanternfly

Box Tree Moth

Clemson Department of Plant Industry

Honeybees are a crucial part of the food system. In fact, they pollinate more than 100 of the food crops we eat. But a survey by Auburn University and the University of Maryland found that 48% of honeybee colonies were lost last year. Today on Earthly I talk to two experts in the protection and cultivation of honeybees. Brad Cavin leads a program that regulates the beekeeping industry in South Carolina, and Ben Powell runs Clemson Extension’s beekeeping and pollinator program. They’re going to explain the importance of honeybees, why they might be struggling, and steps we can take to help protect them.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Clemson University Apiary Inspection Program

Clemson Extension Pollinator Program

South Carolina Bee Keeper’s Association

National Bee Survey

Varroa Destructor