Conservationists are embarking on an ambitious project to reintroduce a species of singing cicada to the UK, a creature not heard in the country since the 1990s. The Species Recovery Trust (SRT) has successfully obtained eggs from France, marking the first step in a plan to bring the insects back to the New Forest.
A Long Road to Re-emergence
While the acquisition of eggs is a significant development, the process of re-establishing the species is expected to be lengthy. Charlotte Carne, programmes manager at the SRT, noted that even if the eggs hatch, the immature insects, known as nymphs, are believed to spend between four and 10 years underground feeding on plant roots. This subterranean phase is crucial for their development before they emerge as adults.
"We're really excited about the project because, by rearing the cicadas in captivity first, we are learning a lot about their life cycle and behaviour, much of which is still a mystery even to experts across Europe," Carne stated. Researchers are still gathering fundamental details about the insect's life cycle. The captive rearing program aims to provide critical insights that will aid in the successful reintroduction.
The Ultimate Goal
Once the cicadas reach adulthood and their life cycle in captivity is better understood, the final stage of the project will involve releasing them into a carefully chosen, secret location within the New Forest. The ultimate aim is to once again hear the distinctive song of hundreds of cicadas filling the summer air in the forest.
The species' disappearance from the UK in the 1990s highlights the vulnerability of native insect populations to environmental changes. This reintroduction effort represents a significant conservation undertaking, aiming to restore a lost element of the UK's natural soundscape.