Exploring the manipulation of cicadas by a zombie fungus to spread its spores, and the potential impact of cicada emergence on ant behavior and seed dispersal in forest ecosystems.
The last time these exact cicada broods emerged from the ground at the same time, Thomas Jefferson was president. The red-eyed bugs come out looking for love and change forest ecosystems forever. Vox’s Benji Jones thinks it’s magical.
This show was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Herman, and hosted by Rebeca Ibarra.
Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast
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