Random thoughts…have there ever been any studies done examining correlations between Cicadellidae and solar activity (as bioindicators of past, present, and future solar behavior, et cetera)? Yes, I’m blindly drawing a pencil line between two distinct periodic but regular processes that just so happen to be coinciding with our own current time and space. If not, it sure seems like a great time to start. With cicadas or otherwise.
Also random but tangential, the inconceivable amount of energy bombarding the planet. I can only imagine the myriad of ways different families of insects interpret or ‘feel’ the effects of these solar bursts.
Edit: Aside from cicadas, are there other floral or faunal sources that could potentially serve as bioindicators of impending solar activity?
I don’t know the kind of data you are after. Are you interested in behavioural changes caused by solar activity?
If so, there probably will be some as insects are ectothermic and therefore more active when it is warm and sunny.
As for whether any studies have been done on this, I cannot answer that.
Do my dead houseplants which got either 1 photon too much or too little light once count?
Generally, these type of studies tend to focus on smaller creatures:
Apologies. I suppose the curiosity grew from interest in this extremely rare coinciding periodic cicada emergence and CMEs (and there isn’t a specific point of data I am seeking, just a conversation starter).
“I wonder how insects are taking these CME waves.”
“I wonder what we could learn from insects during this very short window of solar activity.”
“Periodic cicada emerge every 17 years. Wonder if solar activity has anything to do with it?”
“The last few days, have any flora/fauna populations reacted peculiarly to the CMEs or cicada emergence in a way that we can derive information?”
Just open-ended queries.
PS I am autistic and all activity on this site from me is bore from special interest. I am not a professional in sciences, even though my activities, studies, and depth at which I study nature could rival the study habits of adept students, I obviously have not had access to labs, experiments, in-person networking, etc. Just a middle-aged man finding purpose in a purposeless world.
I found your question interesting and skimmed a few articles. I took away that what studies so far indicate is that animals that migrate may be affected by such solar storms. I thought the snippet about gumboot chitons was interesting, as its mouth parts are quite magnetic.
My initial thoughts too. Even things where we may have answers, we don’t have them all. It never hurts to question or re-evaluate things we “already know”. You never know when you’ll notice something you didn’t before.
Regardless of your field, topic of study, or special interest, there is always more to learn. No matter how documented anything is, it is almost guaranteed you missed something. Usually many things. And hey, how often is Earth bombarded like this?
“Probably not. Because […]”
“So you’re telling me there’s a chance…” --Lloyd Christmas