Stuck on a Crossword Puzzle? Find Out What ‘Colony’ and ‘Plague’ Have in Common

Sure, I’d be happy to explain the answer ‘Cicadas’ for the crossword clue ‘Ants : colony :: ___ : plague’.

Cicadas belong to the order Hemiptera and the family Cicadidae. These insects are known for their distinctive appearance, particularly their large eyes and wings that extend beyond their body.

What relates cicadas to the given crossword clue is the fact that cicadas can cause a type of “plague” in certain regions. When cicada nymphs reach the end of their underground lifespan, they emerge from the ground in large numbers and molt to become winged adults. This emergence and subsequent mating period can lead to a massive increase in cicada populations, which can cause serious damage to trees and other vegetation if prolonged.

The noise generated by male cicadas during this mating period can be overwhelming, with some areas experiencing cicada choruses reaching over 90 decibels. In some areas, cicadas can be so numerous that they represent a nuisance to humans due to their sheer volume.

Therefore, the answer to the crossword clue ‘Ants : colony :: ___ : plague’ is ‘Cicadas’ – as cicada swarms can represent a type of plague, with their rapid increase in population and accompanying noise and damage to plants.