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The Wild Pest
Book
Periodical Cicada (17-Year) (Magicicada septendecim)
Mathematical
85Six Legs
Bug Bite · From the file on Periodical Cicada (17-Year)

Magicicada life cycles are 13 or 17 years — both prime numbers, mathematically chosen to prevent predator life cycles from ever syncing up.

JournalGoles, E. et al. (2001). Theoretical Population Biology2001Verified by sources
Read the full file on Periodical Cicada (17-Year)

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Count her chirps in 13 seconds and add 40 — that's the air temperature in Fahrenheit, accurate to ±1°F.

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