So when will they be gone?
The big question right now is: “when will the cicadas be gone?” Alas, for some, their charm has dwindled.
Based on my experience maintaining this site over the past 12 years, emergences tend to last about 6 or 8 weeks from the emergence of the first adult until the last cicada dies. That time span if for the entire emergence, covering all locations in every effected state. The emergence for you in your specific location should last around 4 weeks: 1 week to emerge, 2 weeks of singing and mating, 1 week of egg laying and dying. Most cicadas don’t follow that precise game plan, but that’s the basic idea: 4 weeks. Cicadas that emerged on June 1st, should be gone before the 4th of July.
BTW, based on the number of messages and emails I’ve received, Brood XIV appears to be a bigger event than Brood XIII. Brood XIII received more press (because it overlapped Chicago), but from my vantage point, Brood XIV is turning out to be the more exciting emergence.
I noticed a possible “menage a trois” with 3 cicadas interchanging positions with one another. Is this common? Thx.
Linda
Comment by linda burton — June 11, 2008 @ 11:41 am
Um. The question for me, in my duty to “greet the cicada,” is…when will they peak? I have to travel to get to the west Cape and I want the full sonic tornado. What it boils down to is this weekend (June 14/15) or can I just as well go next weekend (June 21/22).
Thanks!
Comment by Christian Herold — June 12, 2008 @ 7:36 pm