PBS NewsHour has a wonderful feature on cicadas, the mysterious insects overwhelming large swaths of the Eastern United States this summer. Their behavior and deafening song provides research material for scientists, inspiration for artists and mixed reactions from residents. Miles O'Brien reports. A transcript and links to some of the cool projects referenced in the piece are all here.
Below, an extended cut NewsHour out-take video I requested featuring David Rothenberg, a musician who makes music with the cicadas. How cool is this guy? He is my favorite thing about this piece. And of course Pesco has blogged about him before here on Boing Boing, back in 2010!
And don't miss PBS NewsHour producer Jenny Marder's periodical cicada hunt with John Cooley, "a veteran expert of the behavior, distribution and unusual courtship rituals of these insects."
