Cicada Central

The dogwood tree at the northwest corner of Grace Chapel is covered with hundreds of periodical cicada shells, making it cicada central at RTS Jackson. Look down and see the holes from which the insects emerged after 13 years of nourishing themselves on the tree’s roots. According to the Mississippi Extension Service “there are only three broods of 13-year cicadas in the world and Mississippi is the only state where all three broods occur” – another marvel that makes our state an endlessly fascinating place to live, study, and work.