REALITY CHECK, May 28
By: Dawn Cariello
After a lengthy absence, they have returned to Princeton in droves. You’ll probably hear the interlopers before you see them, since they maintain a deafening decibel level. But see them you will, as there is no escaping their overwhelming numbers.
Local reaction to their presence varies. Some find them scary or creepy, while others label them a nuisance something to be dealt with from time to time if you’re going to live in Princeton. Then there are those who look upon these invaders with fascination and study them with scientific scrutiny, marveling at their every move.
Are these the adult periodic cicadas Magicicada septendecim that have emerged from the ground for a brief reign in Princeton? No, it is the adult periodic visitor Alumnus comebacus that has infested the area for Reunions Weekend.
While there are differences between cicadas and Princeton alumni, it is the similarities that are most striking. Let’s start with physical attributes:
Cicadas have black bodies and transparent wings with orange veins. Princeton alumni are also black and orange in appearance. The male cicadas can be further identified by their fat bellies as can the more sedentary male alumni.
They are optically analogous as well. Cicadas have beady red eyes and while alumni partiers’ peepers may not arrive at the reunion in that condition, many will depart that way.
Neither species is dangerous and during their stay in Princeton cicadas will wreak fairly harmless havoc. Ditto the alumni. However, visitors are cautioned that they may need to step over cicada bodies that are strewn on the ground. This warning can be repeated for avoiding the occasional post-P-rade alumni bodies.
There are, however, some differences between the two. Cicadas mature in 17 years. It takes alumni significantly longer. While in Princeton the cicadas’ sole purpose will be mating, and the odds are that they’ll succeed. For alumni, there are no such guarantees. (Lest alums feel envious, they should note that cicadas die after mating.)
This simultaneous occupation begs the question: Can these two species coexist peacefully? They should be able to, for the most part, although there will be times when even the cicadas complain that the alumni are too loud. Additionally, the cicadas are at risk because the wasp is one of their primary predators. Naturally, this is a grave threat given that the ranks of the alumni are filled with WASPs.
By Monday the alumni will exit just as suddenly as they entered. In July the offspring of the cicadas will go underground and resurface fully grown in 2021. Alumni progeny will return to Princeton, too. This phenomenon is known as legacy admissions.
For those bugged by this onslaught of insects and ivies, keep in mind local arborist Greg O’Neil’s sage words, recently quoted in this newspaper. He was referring to cicadas, but his statement is equally applicable to the alumni: "There’s really nothing you can do about them," he said. "You just have to let them run their course."