I think the predator angle is less convincing than the ecological angle: 17 year locusts don't have to compete for resources with 13 year locusts. Selection will favor staggered emergent years.
I'm not that well-informed about cicadas particularly. I just think the attention to the predation issue may eclipse what may ultimately be behind the staggered emergence cycles.
KC
This message has been edited by KCdgw, 05-18-2004 02:30 PM