Meet the Bizarre Insects Taking Over Your Backyard

The cicada swarm is here! Periodical cicadas are absolutely overwhelming the forests of the US, but why have they come? What do they want? And most importantly, why do they only come once in over a decade? I'm heading into the swarm to find some answers!

Here at MyWildBackyard we investigate the secrets of the natural world- secrets that can be hidden in our very own backyards! I want to share the incredible world of insects, spiders and other wildlife with you and inspire you to explore your curiosity. Get out there, and find your adventure!

For those who read the description- we've updated the channel! I'm working on adding more features to videos to better expand our conversations about the secrets we find in the natural world! Introducing the Creature Tier System! There are four rankings:
1. Staple - These are the lowest tier creatures. They are the most common species in a given habitat, and while they're not boring, they're really only exciting when you're exploring a new habitat and you haven't seen them before. Not something to write home about.
2. Neat - These are a step up from Staple. They don't make your entire day, but they are worth taking a closer look at when found. Definitely can be exciting to have a productive day finding many Neat species.
3. Wild - These are exciting to find. Whether they have interesting defensive features that offer a nice challenge in the field, are particularly cool looking, or maybe a little bit rare, Wild species aren't necessarily the MOST memorable of encounters, but they definitely make your day when you see them. An adventure featuring many Wild species will truly be memorable.
4. Gem - These are special. Usually involving extremely interesting biology and significant rarity, Gem species are animals that you really do not see every day. These species can make your whole adventure, and will be very memorable.

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

#insects #cicada

[HayTatsuko]

I'm so glad Brood XIX is alive and well here in north Alabama. This is my fourth time hearing them! 1985, 1998, 2011, and this year's edition!

[Isaac-]

so, i have heard cicadas seemingly every summer wherever i have resided. So, according to google, the ones with green are every year and the orange wings with red eyes are your 13 and 17 yr variety. i have pucked up the red eyed ones before. And I did wonder where they came from and why they are different.

[ErinRenee-mkqh]

It's nice to find a channel that really appreciates how COOL these creatures are!

[charliehay]

One thing that makes you an excellent teacher is your passion..it is one of the reasons why i subscribed..

[joeh]

Every year when I start hearing these little guys I know summers here and its going to get hotter!

[Hyperion-]

I was 7 years old the first time i seen a cicada nymph, we were going to my great grandparents place in tennesse and i wanted to take it with me, but i didn't get to. 3 weeks ago i recorded a video of a cicada next to it's molted shell.

Good video spencer.

Fascinating lovely little insects. Isn't nature just stunning what it throws up. Great video Spencer I always enjoy what you put out.

[daltonv]

That clip from Signs always creeped the shit out of me when i was younger 🤣

[PrisPrivate]

These cicadas are so cool! I feel very thankful to have experienced such an incredible natural event. Sometimes we forget that our planet doesn’t belong to us until it literally screams at us haha. Loved this video as always

[sutherngirrl]

I was wondering if you were gonna cover this. Glad you did! We used to use Cicadas for bait.... Nature is absolutely amazing!! Thanks Spencer & Happy Memorial Day weekend 😊

[TheWildlifeBrothers]

This is an incredible video man, you wove the story and the science together really well, great deep dive. I feel very lucky to have run into some remnant Magicicada tridecem in Mississippi, but I do really want to experience a full swarm of them in a peak emergence location. Great work with this one Spencer! I hope a lot of people see it.

[TheBlubunni]

I have always been fascinated by cicadas! They're an amazing insect! Thank you Spencer.

[fatherandsonwildlifeandexp]

Hello Spencer hope you are well congratulations on 152k subs that's amazing 😊

[Acousticeg]

I enjoy your channel very much. Thanks for sharing.🐛

[pumpkinchow]

I haven’t seen or heard them in Pennsylvania or New York yet 🤷‍♂️ there one of my favorite sounds to hear outdoors along with all the frogs. Favorite time of the year to go camping and hiking. Keep up the great work bud and wish you all the best hope you have a great day 🙋‍♂️✌️

[ROARDABAND]

opened my window and i was almost deafened by these guys

[sonny]

the fact that these guys are alive for so long down there, is wow. 13 year old bug, living life for this moment. thanks for making this video!

[keitarokobe]

Hey, Spencer! Love your videos my friend. I have to know, WHAT IS that grasshopper/cricket at 10:51? I saw a *tiny* grasshopper-like insect years ago in Indiana and it was entirely a metallic gold in color and I have *never*found any information on it via google or otherwise! This reminded me of it. Keep up the great work and stay safe out there! ^_^ God bless you and your family in everything you do!

[RaulGonzalez-qgjf]

I have an old tree in front of my house that houses the neighborhood Cicadas. Every time I mow underneath it I sometimes feel a light “mist” am I being peed on?

[Isaac-]

so, since i have heard them every year, how can one telk the difference between the annual and the 13/17 yr ones?