The city of Chicago is grappling with the aftermath of a “biblical emergence” of cicadas, which has left residents suffering from severe rashes and has rendered certain areas virtually “off-limits.”
Earlier this year, Illinois experienced an unprecedented swarm of cicadas. In early to mid-May, millions of these periodical insects surfaced from the ground in Northern Illinois for the first time in 17 years, creating near-plague-like conditions across the state.
While the cicadas have now ceased their chaotic buzzing through the city’s streets, the aftermath has brought a new concern for Chicagoans.
The mite menace
In an interview with NBC, cicada expert Dr. Gene Kritsky highlighted a new threat: “A particular mite known as the ‘oak leaf itch mite’ can be seen in vast quantities following a cicada emergence.”
Dr. Kritsky issued a cautionary note to the people of Chicago, recalling the cicada invasion of 2007, when thousands reported being bitten. “It turned out that the oak itch mite was found in the egg nests of Brood XIII cicadas,” he explained in an email to NBC Chicago.
This very brood was among those that appeared during the remarkable emergence earlier this year, which Dr. Kritsky characterized as “biblical.”
Reflecting on the earlier part of the summer, Dr. Kritsky remarked on the uniqueness of this event, saying, “There are things I’ve seen this time that I’ve never seen before.”
Lingering threat of mite-induced itchiness
The threat of mite-induced itchiness could well linger for months, with thousands of cicada eggs still left to hatch. “The eggs hatch six to seven weeks [after they are laid], the nymphs fall to the ground and go into the soil, and the cycle begins again,” the Natural History Museum explained.
“People should avoid sitting under the trees until after the eggs hatch in mid-August,” Dr. Kritsky advised.
Off-limit areas
Additionally, Dr. Kritsky cautioned Chicago’s residents regarding certain “off-limit” areas of the city if they wished to dodge the mites. Speaking to NBC, the expert noted that some oak trees might harbor up to 40,000 eggs poised to hatch.
As Chicagoans navigate the aftermath of this “biblical” cicada emergence, they are urged to remain vigilant and heed the advice of experts to avoid the discomfort and potential health risks posed by the oak leaf itch mite.