Insect populations bloom relative to solar activity (both minima and maxima). It also appears that "pandemics" correspond, similarly. Not because of the bugs, because of the effects of space weather on a wide range of terrestrial protective systems.
The Solar Activity Cycles and the Outbreaks of the Gypsy Moth –
Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) in Serbia
MILAN MILENKOVIĆ and VLADAN DUCIĆ
(Sorry, there is no link I can find to paste where; link d/ls doc)
So whatever the underlying dynamic, you gotta love the gulls for taking advantage of the cricket surplus...and one might expect there was a gull surplus that year as well?
Fall 1847 was approaching the peak of Solar Cycle 9, Feb. of 1848 with 220 sunspots that month.
The cycle ended in 1855...and in the upswing of Solar Cycle 10, peaking in Jan. 1860, earth experienced the famous "Carrington Event" (Sept. 1859).
https://weather.plus/solar-cycle-9.php
Insect populations bloom relative to solar activity (both minima and maxima). It also appears that "pandemics" correspond, similarly. Not because of the bugs, because of the effects of space weather on a wide range of terrestrial protective systems.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9510177/
See also
The Solar Activity Cycles and the Outbreaks of the Gypsy Moth –
Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) in Serbia
MILAN MILENKOVIĆ and VLADAN DUCIĆ
(Sorry, there is no link I can find to paste where; link d/ls doc)
So whatever the underlying dynamic, you gotta love the gulls for taking advantage of the cricket surplus...and one might expect there was a gull surplus that year as well?
1933 was near the bottom of Solar Cycle 16.
1939 was at/near the top of Solar Cycle 17.
2002 was at/near the top of Solar Cycle 23.
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2020/10/Tracking_the_solar_cycle_NOAA
Oh man, I gotta say I am loving the Mormons for this
Great lore and research! Thanks for a terrific morning read.