Cicada Mania

Dedicated to cicadas, the most amazing insects in the world.

May 16, 2004

May 13th – 16th 2004 Cicada Comments

Filed under: Brood X | Mail, Comments & Social — Dan @ 11:25 am

They are singing!

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
I spotted my first adult cicada this morning on my balcony. Well, my cat Layla did. Luckily enough the window was closed hehehehe. Laura from Fairfax, I agree with you. If one of those things landed on me, I might die!!! Ewwwww. I’m not going out for the whole cicada season. Anyway, they are clearly visible today here across from W & OD Railroad Trail Regional Park, and they have been singing in the wooded park since this morning. Lori, Arlington, VA

Where are the cicadas?

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
I want to take my kids to see the cicadas but the only sightings in NJ appear to be in the central/northern regions of the state. I am in Cumberland County located in the southern region, has anyone sighted any in this area? Any ideas where to look, wooded areas etc. There seem to be plenty in DE and MD so I may just have to take a day/night trip. Cindy, Bridgeton,NJ

Cicada Emergence Maps

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
I would love to see a map of the US (or the world, if someone is really motivated) on this site that shows the areas affected by Cicada emergence. It would be cool if it were interactive, too, such that one can see maybe states, or moderately accurate colored areas indicating the emergence (and maybe colored to indicate they type of cicada that’s emerging) that one can click on to zoom and see a more accurate detailed layout of the emergence patterns. Robb, Columbia, SC

There here…..

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
Just came in from watching a few thousand emerge & molt in my back yard! There everywhere!

GlennR, Vienna, VA

The Plague Gathers Strength

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
Emergence picking up speed now…not yet to the horror stage (and I’m praying we are spared), but they’re coming out fast and furious. Started on 12 May and increasing by leaps and bounds. (BTW, The Pentagon courtyard was LOADED by 13 May), I am no longer spending any time outside. If one of those things lands on me I may have heart failure. Most bugs, spiders, etc., don’t much bother me, but these things are so big and so mindless (will land on ANYTHING upright!) and so numerous, that I am totally creeped out. Got my husband to clean out the garage so I can park my car inside and dash straight from the house, heehee. Also ordered 1/4inches mesh to put over my small (less than 6 ft.) trees, as there is a chance of injury to these less established plants. My dogs, on the other hand, are having a field day! Every ten minutes they are “bugging” me to go outside so they can gorge themselves. They are having a blast scouring the yard and the small bushes for what they obviously consider a VERY tasty treat. (sorry to you cicada lovers out there–no disrespect intended 🙂 Fortunately, I also have encouraged LOTS of wildlife in my yard, so everyone benefits. I hope I survive this month with my sanity intact–my Mom grew up in Baltimore and remembers the 1953 emergence there and she won’t even let me TALK about cicadas, she gets creeped out so bad…I am hoping my experience won’t be similar! Laura, Rt. 50 and Nutley St., Fairfax, VA

Pitches

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
They’re definitely out and about in Falls Church. Not a huge number yet in my yard, but enough to be distinctly audible. And from what I can tell, there are primarily M. septendecim in the area. But music geek that I am, I had to figure out the pitch of the call. For the most part, it’s a descending perfect fifth. Yesterday (13 May), the top note of that fifth was E, the bottom A440 (which is the pitch orchestras tune to)–and I found this very interesting. Today, though, I noticed that the top pitch is more like E-flat, and the bottom more A-flat (or some quartertone very nearby). Is there any known reason for shifts of pitch like that?
And has anyone ever studied the pitch/rhythm of cicada song in terms of musical analysis as opposed to biological function of the song? Mitya, Falls Church, VA

Spewing from the ground

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
There are hundreds beneath the street trees, climbing everywhere. Yesterday nothing. Tomorrow —- oh my! Rutherford B, Potomac

Cicadas are coming

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
I haven’t seen any until tonight. They are all over the sidewalks, and each step goes crunch. I think I’m really to go on a vacation for 6 weeks until they are all gone. Abby, Pikesville/Upper Park Heights – Baltimore

THEY ARE OUT!

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
I came home tonight around 11:30 pm and hundreds of the little buggers were crawling all over the pavement and onto trees…i even saw some on the wheels of other cars! Took some great pictures. Oh and my cat loves them! Bring a few in for your kitty. They are a great toy! Andrew, Fairfax County off Columbia PIke, Falls Church, Virginia

Advice for Cooking and Eating

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
We have now tried a couple of the recipes from the Cicada-licious cook book, and I have some thoughts/advice to share. (1) Don’t to the blanching thing. They turn out really gross that way. Just freeze them and cook them later, dry roast them straight away, or use them fresh. (2) There is wide variation in size, with the very largest being easily 4 times as big as the very tiniest. (3) We have blanched, pan fried, and dry roasted, and no matter how you cook them they turn out basically hollow inside. Some proteinaceous material collects in the very tail end of the abdomen, and some more in in the thorax and head area, but they are at least 80% hollow after cooking. (4) Dry roasting took some experimenting. The cook book says 10-15 minutes, but I found it took a good 40-45 minutes to completely dry out the largest cicadas. When roasting, they smell a lot like baking potatoes. It’s probably a good idea to throw them in the freezer for 10 minutes to “knock them out” before you try to roast them. (5) By the time you get them home and begin cooking with them, they will probably start to turn a little dark. This did not cause us any problems at all with cooking or eating. They were all still alive at least 2 hours after we started collecting. (6) They really do taste like a very mild nut. The “soft shelled” cicadas from the cook book were basically a waste of time–they tasted mostly like the fried breading, with just a very small amount of cicada flavor. The chocolate covered cicadas are very good. They taste a lot like chocolate covered nuts, but have just a very slight chewiness. Have a glass of mild or water on hand, because the chocolate melts away before you are done chewing cicada material, and you might get some stuck in your teeth. Don’t let that last bit scare you away, because the cooked cicada is really only a small amount of actual stuff, and the taste of the chocolate covered cicadas is really very good. Good luck! Keith2, Bloomington, IN

Amazing Little Miracles

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
Went out last night and found about 7 or 8.
Had a good rain here today and this evening, my friends & I drove all over our neighborhoods, sighting hundreds!

http://share-photocenter.bestbuy.com/action/share/welcome?i=EeAs3LJu3ctHIw&open=1&sm=0&sl=0
zappagirl, cincinati (greenhills) ohio

Cicada’s have arrived

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
Haven’t seen them at my house but they have invaded my parent’s yard. There are holes about 2 inches apard all over one side of their yard and you can’t take a step without stepping on one. And the noise. It sounded like hundreds of motors running. Amazing. Sandy, East Tennessee

Cicada Landing

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
Yesterday (5/14) at the Howard County High School Tennis Tournament at Wilde Lake Tennis Center an adult Cicada utilized my leg as a landing strip. It was alarming at first but I recovered quickly and inspected the creature. Very docile and in a wierd way, cute.

Most of the High School boys around me reacted with curiosity. Most of the girls ran away screaming.

After seeing NO cicadas around my property I awoke this morning to see about 50 shells and 30 adults clinging to the side of my house. The area birds have yet to notice them. A literal smorgasbord awaits them! Jeff Grimshaw, Columbia, MD

Our Apartment is crawling, neighbors have very few…

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
We first started seeing them on Tuesday at our apartment. On Wednesday night I could only find 4 to use as fishing bait. Friday night there were hundreds crawling everywhere around our apartment building, but the neighboring buildings have very few. Today, we are seeing them everywere, in all stages of growth. Jeff the Canadian in MD, Catonsville, MD

The Unearthly Singing

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
You walk outside in the morning and it’s like the ALIENS have landed (so true). No kidding, it’s like the Flying Saucer Invasion sound effect in the movies. To me that’s the most unsettling part initially. You actually don’t even have to go outside, you can hear them indoors too. You cannot escape it. It is here. We spent last night watching hundreds of them coming out of their shells on our front step, and all around the creepy rustling. Everywhere. John, Arlington, VA

First Large Emergence–and First Sounds too!!

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
Updated photos at http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sllesq/detail?.dir=/3883&.dnm=a1be.jpg&.src=ph
Found a HUGE concentration in some weeds and grass over by a stream, and heard them chirping for the first time while I was over there taking photos. WSOsGirl, Wilde Lake, Columbia, MD

Haven’t Seen a one!

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
I live in South Bowie and I haven’t seen one cicada. My son said he saw a couple of shells on his way to school yesterday. I am thankful and hope this will continue. I do like those big bugs that fly on you. If I don’t see a one it will be ok with me. Denise, Bowie, Maryland

Bienvenidos Cicadas

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
They are here in Columbia. I watched them emerge last night around 10:30. It was so cool. Today there are many shells on trees and bushes. There are also a few fully developed cicadas on plants and trees. There were two hanging out on the tires of my car!! They are so cute. Tommorrow I expect to see a lot more. Monica , Columbia MD

Cicadas Everywhere!

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
There are everywhere this morning, 5-15-2004 and I don’t think they were here yesterday! They are mostly found in sunny places, I suppose to help with their metamorphosis. I can clearly see them emerging from their old shells, unfolding their wings, warming up and hardening and then moving for vertical structures. Dave Starcher, Reisterstown, MD

Blackhill Regional Park

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
Found a couple of molting nymphs out front of my house. I can hear the drone of cicadas in the distance, across the lake at Blackhill. Was getting worried because I’ve seen tons in Rockville, but none up here. Thought that maybe that these new townhouse developments had plowed all the critters under. drex snodworth, Germantown, MD

Cicada attack

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
I woke up this morning, and went outside. And there were cicadas all over my house! There are probably about 50 of them on my front porch! Laura, Maryland

cicadas are awesome!

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
TOP SERIOUS! Jon, Owings Mills, MD

Lots now

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
Yesterday 7pm, nothing. Yesterday 11pm, maybe a hundred on all the trees. 5/15 at 11:30am, over a thousand shells. More coming, but the stupid dog eats all of them (along with everything else non-metal) Brad, Timonium, MD

They’re here!

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
The cicadas were slow to emerge here, in Reston, but are coming out more and more. Yesterday we had about 10 in the back yard on the house, but today, there were enough for my husband to sweep up and move out of the way. Our dog has already eated one and decided it wasn’t as tasty as it could have been!

No noise yet either…I’m anxious for the noises. This brood year is the first I ever remember seeing.

Robin, Reston, Va

Theyre here and singining!

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
After seeing lots of thier holes in the ground, and lots of thier husks on trees, and LOTS of thier dead bodies on the sidewalk and street, they are not only finally here, but they started to sing today.

At first I didnt think there were going to be that many, but I was wrong. They are literally crawling all over the place. I was kind of surprised even to hear them this morning when I woke, let alone how LOUD they are.

At the gas station this morning while pumping fuel, I felt a strange tickling on my lower leg. I brushed it away not even looking or thinking. Then a minute later I looked down.. and there were 4 fully adult cicadas on the ground near me. I didnt pay much attention to them at first. Then I felt the strange tickling again. I look down and one is on my shoe, and one is on my leg about half way up my calf!

He fell off and fluttered around on his back for a minute then went right back to climbing up my shoe again. So when I finsihed pumping the gas. I picked all 4 of em up, and placed them in the tree at the edge of the station.

I dont see how on earth anyone can be scared of these things. I think they are kinda cute! I even feel kinda sorry for them because they are so clumsy. LOL! So they are here and in BIG numbers in Fairfax VA! DC UNITED FAN – K.J., Fairfax, VA

There Here!!!!!!! First shells/bugs late Fri evening

Date: Saturday, May/15/2004
There Here!!!!!!! First shells/bugs late Fri evening.

We have had intense rain….and Now Cicadas..found 10 in just the lenght of my house on west side of foundation.

Here we go…….

James Hail, Martinsville Indiana

Need travel advice

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
So, my 82 year old dad mentioned to me that he would like to experience a cicada emergence before he passes on. He’s in great health, don’t worry, but despite his robust nature, chances are he won’t be around for Brood X’s next go ’round.

If I was to organize a trip in the next month to see an emergence, where in your expert opinion might we have the most memorable experience?

Any advice is helpful, as I’m a California native and never seen a cidada, much less an emergence.

Thanks! Edith , Never Seen a Cicada, CA

Massive

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Each last three nights ten times the night before. Tonight so many they are knocking each other out of the trees for lack of space. Chris, Potomac, MD

1st sighting

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I haven’t been sure if I was looking forward to this or dreading it, having grown up in the western US, where periodical cicadas don’t live. We saw a couple dozen this evening in south-eastern Ellicott City. Came home (western Ellicott City) and looked outside with a flashlight, and still no sign of mass emergence, but did see one brave little cicada fly past my head and through the beam of my flashlight while I was looking! Corine, Ellicott City, MD

All over the place!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I live in Annandale, VA and during the morning to early afternoon, they are all over the place. I know they are only bugs but they scare me because of how big they are. Just waiting at the bus stop, I saw them going into the street and beside the bus stop in the dirt. Mike, Annandale, VA

I never thought an insect could be cute…until now!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I was terrified when I opened my door a few days ago and saw so many huge bugs all over my front porch. Since then, I have learned all about cicadas and am no longer afraid. I love seeing and hearing them all around my yard. Jo, Cheverly, MD

First cicada

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Saw the first cicada climbing up the brick wall at school this afternoon. Lynn, Dover DE

Brood X finally spotted in New Jersey

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
There havent been alot of postings from New Jersey. They have finally arrived. I saw hundreds of them today when cutting lawns about 5 miles away in a wooded area in southern Somerset County. Lots of discarded shells….Cicadas resting in bushes and tree leaves. Also saw some deformed cicadas and just leftover wings with no bodies…I guess the birds got to them. I didnt get a chance to see one molt before my eyes or the nymphs climb up from the ground but hopefully in my travels I will. mark, belle mead, new jersey

The songs have begun

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
This afternoon I heared cicada songs for the first time this week. They were faint, only a few cicadas, and they sounded like they were a few houses over from mine. This week has been pretty active with cicadas emerging each evening. Sean, Kensington, MD

Cicadas are arriving!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Talking with co-workers today, someone who lives in Columbia MD saw them emerging today and watched one moult. Someone who lives in Kensington MD said they began to come out yesterday, today he had what he called “cicada siding” on his house and hosed them off, I’m sure they’re back. I saw one in North Potomac today all by itself (my first sighting). None yet in my yard in Poolesville. The yard looks aerated though with their holes. Daughter has bug cage ready we are waiting. Barb, Poolesville MD

Deformed Brood X Cicadas

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I can hear the cicadas coming out of the ground. They sound almost like rice crispies. There are cicadas on my porch that need to be swept away, there are cicadas on every leaf of many of the trees here, there are cicadas every morning on my car tires, there are cicadas an inch thick around the base of several of my trees. We have tons of them.

But–the thing that scares me is that about 10% of them are deformed. Yes, hundreds are emerging with dwarfed, curled wings. Some have no wings and some are small and round. Is anyone else experiencing the same?

Linda, McLean, VA USA

Yes! They’re finially here!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Yesterday, during my daily walk, I found one cicada dead in the road. I never saw any shed shells on the trees, so I though it was possible that it was brought up from DC on someone’s car.

Today on my walk, I found more smushed cicadas in the road where I found the other one. But this time, I found scores and scores of husks in the nearby shurbs.

I’m sure my girlfriend will be less than pleased. Dale, Harpers Ferry, WV

Where did they go

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
This morning there were plenty with the wobbling noise. By this afternoon all the live ones were gone. There are tons of shells, some trees having hundreds. Maybe the birds havn’t been sated. Alan, Fairfax

yuck!!!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Cicada’s are ugly. I saw a picture of one and I’m gald they have not came here ,yet! paige, maryland,pasadena

no sign of them yet

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
i live just outside of nashville,tn…so far i have not seen or heard them yet jon, nashville,tn

Saw our First Cicada

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I work at the Tournament Players Club at Jasna Polana, a golf club in Princeton NJ. One of our workers trapped the first cicada we’ve seen, right by the clubhouse, in a soda cup with a lid. It was his gift to me! Kristine, princeton, nj

LOTS of Cicadas at Potomac Overlook Park!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
My wife & I went “hunting” for the cicadas last night at Potomac Overlook Park on Marcy Drive in Arlington last night and saw about 100 or so in various stages of the molting process. There were lots of empty shells around, but we only saw 1 adult. I grabbed him and he started vibrating like he was trying to sing.

It was really cool watching them come out of the ground, molting out of their shells, and expanding out their wings. They look beautiful and angelic while they’re still white, before they turn dark. What fun! Evan, Arlington

Any in Centreville/Manassas?

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Has anyone seen ANY of the 17-year cicadas in the Centreville or Manassas areas?

We have yet to see EVEN ONE of them in that area. Brad, Centreville

First poor buggers didn’t stand a chance

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
We watched hundreds of the critters emerge last night. This morning, our sons could find nothing but shells and wings–we live next to a bird sanctuary. The birds seemed happier this morning. Cicadapizza, Cincinnati

They’re coming out in KY

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I’ve had few exoskeletons decorate my front porch, and a few more live ones climbing trees nearby. No mating calls yet, but we’re getting ready for the orgy. Robin Jones, Louisville, KY

Sighting

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
2 shells found in yard Karen, Severn, MD

Seen, not heard

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
The last couple days I only saw a few cicadas here and there. This morning my yard had lots of little holes in it and my bushes were covered with hundreds of cicadas. Haven’t heard them sing yet, though. Lynn, Cheverly, MD

Nuttin’ Yet

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I am in northern baltimore county, And I have a 150 year old property with many old trees, I have one seen a few single cicadas around the yard ,but no masses just yet. Cicada Bob, Hereford , MD

Vast sightings

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
The madness has begun. In the neighboorhood of Somerset in Chevy Chase, MD, there are pockets of activity. The most activity is near where some trees were recently cut down (the trunks are still there). I imagine that the loss of tree cover has exposed the ground to more sunlight, causing these areas to become more active than others.

In stretches along sidewalks near these, you can see many nymphs actively walking towards their molting destinations in the evenings and mornings (along with the unfortunate ones that didn’t make it). This morning alone, I got an excellent view of several stages of the molting process on one tree. There were the just emerging, the struggling to get out, the out, but white, and the darkening ones.

And to think that this is only the beginning! I must take pictures. Maurice, Chevy Chase, MD

search at the right time of day(night)

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I thought we were going to miss out on the show. Not many to be found in my yard.
Peeked out again before I went to bed at 11:30pm and found the yard FULL of hatchlings. Sat on my porch and watched several hatch from right up close. They are so beautiful when they are still white!
I thought I heard it start to rain but shortly realized I was hearing the scuffling of all the cicadas in the leaves and in the grass. Okay – THAT was pretty creepy.
By morning they were again hard to find. Finally located many spent skins from the night before, and discovered that the grown bugs had hidden under leaves or flown high into the trees.

Next came the free Cicada Buffet for all the birds and squirrels in the neighborhood! Saw one last white nymph on a tree trunk but before I could get close enough to see him close a bird swooped in and gobbled him up.

Now its afternoon and the adults are flying and one has finally started singing – WEEEEoooo! WEEEEooo!

Oh this is going to be fun! Pat, Gaithersburg MD

HEARD ‘EM

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
HAVE NOT SEEN THEM YET, BUT HEARD THEM
OVERHEAD IN CLIFTON STEVE, FAIRFAX,VA

A-feared from a-far

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I was 8 years old when the 1987 infestation hit metro DC, and am now 25 and living in New England, where no one I’ve talked to has even HEARD of cicadas. My mother, still living in Arlington, VA, has been keeping me posted, and I’ll be traveling that direction tomorrow for a week. I feel that I’m making some sort of pilgrimage. Ben, Keene, New Hampshire

not much here

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
So far, I’ve only seen about 6 cicada during walks with my dogs on a wide path in some open woodland. No “buzz” yet. Hoping for a little more drama! joan, west Columbia, MD

5/13 – none – 5/14 – Hundreds

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Saw 2 discarded shells yesterday (5/13) today on the post for the Stop sign at the end of our Sreet there are at LEAST 200 of them, like they were trying to pretend they were strings of Alien Christmas (or should that be Stop sign) lights! Ed, Glenelg, Maryland

Slowing Starting to Emerg

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I’ve seen a few on the sidewalks but not a major amount yet. Live in the Courthouse Area so I’m not sure about what type of population to expect. Mike, Arlington, VA

Heard a Cicada Yesterday , IL

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Heard the first Cicada yesterday in Naperville, IL where I back up to a golf course…My Girlfriend is from California and was freaked out by the noise. Will, Naperville, IL

There are only a few HUNDRED!!!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Yesterday morning saw a few shells on the driveway. Came home from work and saw the crows having a party in the front yard so I had to see what the party was about. Looked up in the trees and saw hundreds of shells. Then I went in the backyard and along the fence there were at least 250 – 300 more shells. I couldn’t believe it!!! And this is only the beginning…….
I saw a white one (he hadn’t turned black yet) this morning on the driveway and he was kind of cute so I avoided running him over. Mind you I have a serious bugphobia!!! This is going to be very hard for me. I’m even going to quit smoking because of the cicadas I can’t smoke outside anymore!! Charlene, Aspen Hill, MD

I hear them now

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
This morning, I can hear them singing for the first time. That same sound I haven’t heard since 1987. Jason, Alexandria

Cicada emergence

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
This morning, May 14th, cicadas emerged and are visible in large numbers, both molting and done. Boris, Towson, Maryland

Finally!!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Had one on the garbage can and a few more on the telephone pole. I live in an older neighborhood across from a wooded park so the noise ought to be deafening cicadalady, Arlington, VA

Pesticides

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Someone posted a message earlier about the number of deformed cicadas in his yard. I’ve been doing a lot of reading on these fascinating creatures (thanks to all the excellent links on this site!) and more than one has confirmed what I suspected: the use of pesticides in the garden can lead to deformed larvae and nymphs. Something to consider – nothing we do on God’s green earth is not without impact! 🙂 DLE, Great Falls, VA

emergence

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I posted here a few days ago about an enormous number of nymphs underground on my property. A small section of my property finally had an emergence last night (was in the most sunlit section). A large number (for the small area) of nymphs emerged right at sunset, immediately headed into the forest and started climbing every tree and plant in site. Once locked on in spot, the skin split on the back of their heads, the (very white) cicadas slowly emerged out of their shells, then they grabbed onto the heads of their old skins and hung suspended while their wings filled out and their bodies grew some. This was an amazing thing to watch. What is more amazing to me is that the big show is yet to happen – when they emerge in the wooded part of my property (which is most of it), there will be an amazing number of bugs. It’s going to get loud soon. Greg Lehmiller, North Baltimore County, MD

First Sightings

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Found several shells & a live one on my porch today! Erica, Owings Mills, MD

Cicadas

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I have been hearing them for weeks now, but just started seeing them this past Sunday. I am totally freaked out by them and even ran in to work from my car this morning because one was hot on my heals. So far I have seen them in Randallstown and in Arbutus. I heard that they are out in full force in Woodlaawn, MD and have been for 2 days now.
Good Luck East Coast, we’re in for a duzy this time!! Coles, Randallstown, MD

cicada siting

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I saw 5 cicadas in my backyard at 6:00am
Looking for some more today. It might rain today. They were on my dad’S BARN. Tammy Wallace, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

Cicadas Captured In Middletown, Ohio

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Per today’s “Dayton Daily News”, Cicadas have emerged and been captured by 4 and 6 year old siblings, Kyle and Sierra Stanley of Middletown, Ohio. Pauline, Dayton, OH USA

I Deserve a Day Off!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
This morning when I got off a Metrobus to unlock the door at work, there was a family – like 15 cicadas – between me and the front door.

I was too mad and timid to go in the front, so I walked around the building to the back entrance, which is away from the trees and lawn. I can’t believe these things just TAKE OVER!!
Maurechal, Hillcrest Heights, MD

albino cicada

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
we found an albino cicada….how common is that? andrea, annapolis, md

Nothing yet

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
As of today, no action yet even though there are tons of wooded areas near our house in the western part of Price William County, hope they won’t disappoint us, maybe the traffic in this area scared them away. Andy, Bristow, VA

Sighting in Hunt Valley

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Cicada shells on the sidewalk coming into work, and I was surprised considering our building and parking lot are just barely 17 years old. Lots of holes in the ground in some places. Saw no lives ones but the evidence is there! Greg, Hunt Valley, Maryland

They’rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre herrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
They are definitely out and climbing up the trees! Lots found in the past few days in the soil while doing trailwork. The anticipation is killing me! fiona harrison, blue ridge center for environmental stewardship, neersville, VA

Where Are They???

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I saw two trees full of empty exoskeleton’s in Towson yesterday and figured when I went home to Parkville, 10 minutes away, I should be able to find plenty in the numerous trees behind my house, to show my children, but we found NONE!!!!! We were sooooo disappointed. 🙁 Cicada Lover, Parkville, Maryland

There are all over the place

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I have not seen any at my apartments. There are 100s of tghem outside my work place. John, Reston, VA

Right out the door!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I walked out my apt door this morning only to find two cicadas mating right on my front porch! Talk about a start to the morning… NIkki, Takoma Park, MD

Rockville, MD sighting

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
All over the place here, all of a sudden, in the area near Twinbrook Metro station, in south Rockville. Sitting on trees, telephone poles, and quite a few dead ones on the ground. Mark, Rockville, MD

more today

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
First day only a few, yesterday twenty or so, today many more in different areas. Yesterday I only saw one adult. Today I saw dozens and many shells. Jane, Ashburn, VA

Cicada Art – CORRECT link

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I posted a link to my cicada art photos which I’m told does not work. This should work. So sorry…

http://community.webshots.com/user/crimsicle

Suzette Crim, Silver Spring, MD

holes

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I was mowing my lawn yester day and i saw alot of holes in my yard. There was even holes in my molch. I havn’t seen them yet but i think they will be here in a couple of days if it is hot… Ricky , NJ-Hillsborough

Cicada pictures and web site

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
It’s delightful here in Arlington. Nowhere near full emergence, but pockets of truly Old Testament-level hordes.

I’ve put up a web page with some photos and commentary.
http://www.megargee.com/cicadas Mike, Arlington, VA

Sighted at Columbia Landing Apt. on Tamar Drive

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
As I stepped outside this morning there were at least six cicadas in various stages of molting on the front step. Fortunately or unforunately, depending on your point of view, they were all either dead or dying at the hands (or mandibles) of the ants that covered them. Tim, Columbia

Plenty this morning

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
A few dozen yesterday, hundreds today. Robert, Rockville MD

Cicadas at night

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Stood outside in the backyard after dark last night and watched the drama unfold. As fast as you would see one come out you’d spot another and another and another. They worked hard because this morning not a single one on the ground and they had climbed as high into the old trees as they could. Saw some fully grown adults sunning and drying off. Probably doing some mental solfege and vocalise. Okay I did break down my ten year old fear memories by letting one crawl up and down my arm. It just tickled and my son thought I was pretty weird. Lesley, Centreville, Virginia

Cicadas aren’t a problem

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I’ve seen a few cicadas, but they’re hardly a problem compared to the mass infestation of mosquitoes that plagues all of Northern Virgina each Summer. Snow, Fairfax, VA

Sightings

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
The first real emergence started yesterday the 13th and was really underway this morning, Friday. A tremendous population under our large elm tree. At 6:30 in the morning they were in all stages from nympths to fully emerged. Richard, Sandy Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland

They are starting to sing.

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I went out my door and was greeted with the beginning of their singing. I live near Sligo Creek on one side and a wooded area on another side. Shirley Jeffords, Wheaton, MD

Friday Morning Photos

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Got some photos, still only sporadic sightings, guess they will take a few days to fully emerge here. http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sllesq/album?.dir=/3883&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sllesq/my_photos WSOsGirl, Wilde Lake, Columbia, MD

Cicadas should learn!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Wow! There are a lot of cicadas out in Northern Virginia! I’ve seen them in Herndon Reston Oakton Springfield Alexandria Clifton and even in Gaithersburg!! I think we should help them whenever possible. Hey cicada, this is where you should molt. Hey cicada, heres a tree for you to live on. I can’t believe that people are eating them! 🙂 Ray, Alexandria

cicada song!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I heard the cicadas singing this morning for the first time. They sounded as loud as a rooster! I went out to investigate and saw one laying on the ground so I put him up on the fence. Then the cicada started singing! He must have plenty of sense. Little Johnny, Oakton

Where are the crowds of cicadas!?!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Based on my cicada experience in 1987, I’ve been excitedly pushing my students to be on the lookout for hordes of cicadas any time in the last week through this one. To my disappointment (and theirs), I have yet to see a single one in my backyard or neighborhood for that matter. Out of pity for me, one of my students brought in a carcass yesterday.

Where are all the cicadas? Reiko, Reston, VA

They’re HEEEEEERE!!!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Found 5 shells and 2 live cicadas this morning. The kids were so funny. My normally bug-phobic son was so excited to be able to take them in for show-and-tell this morning at school. My brave daughter just said “EEWWWWWWW”. Haven’t heard any singing yet. Eric, Bellbrook, OH

Emergence May 13

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Johnson City, TN

Pretty significant emergence around the apple tree and shrubs in my front yard.

Cute little buggers! I feel like a proud parent. Dave, Jones

Major emergence starting

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I’d seen only one carcass up until this morning, May 14, in my area of southern Columbia. This morning, I found several carcasses and cicadas on my house and yard (15 upon minimal searching). So the big emergence is starting here in southern Howard County! Stephen Roth, Columbia, MD

Have pics of emerging cicada

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Have a pic of an emerging cicada, it’s yellow with red eyes. Looks so neat. Nicole, Lanham, MD

Sloooow start……

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
First 2 empty shells last night (5/13) and the neighbor caught 1 live one this a.m. OH NO!!…….Here they come>!>!
Getting out the ear plugs………. Dave, Glen Burnie, MD

FINALLY!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
They have finally started showing up in Herndon! I saw a few shells in my backyard today, and tonight I saw a few unfortunate critters squished at a parking lot. I did save the one live one I found, though. I picked him up off the road and pointed him toward a tree so he could discard his shell and live on. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings! KJ, Herndon, VA

not much here

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
So far, I’ve only seen about 6 cicada during walks with my dogs on a wide path in some open woodland. No “buzz” yet. Hoping for a little more drama! joan, west Columbia, MD

5/13 – none – 5/14 – Hundreds

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Saw 2 discarded shells yesterday (5/13) today on the post for the Stop sign at the end of our Sreet there are at LEAST 200 of them, like they were trying to pretend they were strings of Alien Christmas (or should that be Stop sign) lights! Ed, Glenelg, Maryland

Slowing Starting to Emerg

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I’ve seen a few on the sidewalks but not a major amount yet. Live in the Courthouse Area so I’m not sure about what type of population to expect. Mike, Arlington, VA

Heard a Cicada Yesterday , IL

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Heard the first Cicada yesterday in Naperville, IL where I back up to a golf course…My Girlfriend is from California and was freaked out by the noise. Will, Naperville, IL

There are only a few HUNDRED!!!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Yesterday morning saw a few shells on the driveway. Came home from work and saw the crows having a party in the front yard so I had to see what the party was about. Looked up in the trees and saw hundreds of shells. Then I went in the backyard and along the fence there were at least 250 – 300 more shells. I couldn’t believe it!!! And this is only the beginning…….
I saw a white one (he hadn’t turned black yet) this morning on the driveway and he was kind of cute so I avoided running him over. Mind you I have a serious bugphobia!!! This is going to be very hard for me. I’m even going to quit smoking because of the cicadas I can’t smoke outside anymore!! Charlene, Aspen Hill, MD

I hear them now

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
This morning, I can hear them singing for the first time. That same sound I haven’t heard since 1987. Jason, Alexandria

Cicada emergence

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
This morning, May 14th, cicadas emerged and are visible in large numbers, both molting and done. Boris, Towson, Maryland

Finally!!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Had one on the garbage can and a few more on the telephone pole. I live in an older neighborhood across from a wooded park so the noise ought to be deafening cicadalady, Arlington, VA

Pesticides

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Someone posted a message earlier about the number of deformed cicadas in his yard. I’ve been doing a lot of reading on these fascinating creatures (thanks to all the excellent links on this site!) and more than one has confirmed what I suspected: the use of pesticides in the garden can lead to deformed larvae and nymphs. Something to consider – nothing we do on God’s green earth is not without impact! 🙂 DLE, Great Falls, VA

emergence

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I posted here a few days ago about an enormous number of nymphs underground on my property. A small section of my property finally had an emergence last night (was in the most sunlit section). A large number (for the small area) of nymphs emerged right at sunset, immediately headed into the forest and started climbing every tree and plant in site. Once locked on in spot, the skin split on the back of their heads, the (very white) cicadas slowly emerged out of their shells, then they grabbed onto the heads of their old skins and hung suspended while their wings filled out and their bodies grew some. This was an amazing thing to watch. What is more amazing to me is that the big show is yet to happen – when they emerge in the wooded part of my property (which is most of it), there will be an amazing number of bugs. It’s going to get loud soon. Greg Lehmiller, North Baltimore County, MD

First Sightings

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Found several shells & a live one on my porch today! Erica, Owings Mills, MD

Cicadas

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I have been hearing them for weeks now, but just started seeing them this past Sunday. I am totally freaked out by them and even ran in to work from my car this morning because one was hot on my heals. So far I have seen them in Randallstown and in Arbutus. I heard that they are out in full force in Woodlaawn, MD and have been for 2 days now.
Good Luck East Coast, we’re in for a duzy this time!! Coles, Randallstown, MD

cicada siting

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I saw 5 cicadas in my backyard at 6:00am
Looking for some more today. It might rain today. They were on my dad’S BARN. Tammy Wallace, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

Cicadas Captured In Middletown, Ohio

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Per today’s “Dayton Daily News”, Cicadas have emerged and been captured by 4 and 6 year old siblings, Kyle and Sierra Stanley of Middletown, Ohio. Pauline, Dayton, OH USA

I Deserve a Day Off!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
This morning when I got off a Metrobus to unlock the door at work, there was a family – like 15 cicadas – between me and the front door.

I was too mad and timid to go in the front, so I walked around the building to the back entrance, which is away from the trees and lawn. I can’t believe these things just TAKE OVER!!
Maurechal, Hillcrest Heights, MD

albino cicada

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
we found an albino cicada….how common is that? andrea, annapolis, md

Sighting in Hunt Valley

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Cicada shells on the sidewalk coming into work, and I was surprised considering our building and parking lot are just barely 17 years old. Lots of holes in the ground in some places. Saw no lives ones but the evidence is there! Greg, Hunt Valley, Maryland

They’rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre herrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
They are definitely out and climbing up the trees! Lots found in the past few days in the soil while doing trailwork. The anticipation is killing me! fiona harrison, blue ridge center for environmental stewardship, neersville, VA

Where Are They???

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I saw two trees full of empty exoskeleton’s in Towson yesterday and figured when I went home to Parkville, 10 minutes away, I should be able to find plenty in the numerous trees behind my house, to show my children, but we found NONE!!!!! We were sooooo disappointed. 🙁 Cicada Lover, Parkville, Maryland

There are all over the place

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I have not seen any at my apartments. There are 100s of tghem outside my work place. John, Reston, VA

Right out the door!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I walked out my apt door this morning only to find two cicadas mating right on my front porch! Talk about a start to the morning… NIkki, Takoma Park, MD

Rockville, MD sighting

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
All over the place here, all of a sudden, in the area near Twinbrook Metro station, in south Rockville. Sitting on trees, telephone poles, and quite a few dead ones on the ground. Mark, Rockville, MD

more today

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
First day only a few, yesterday twenty or so, today many more in different areas. Yesterday I only saw one adult. Today I saw dozens and many shells. Jane, Ashburn, VA

Cicada Art – CORRECT link

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I posted a link to my cicada art photos which I’m told does not work. This should work. So sorry…

http://community.webshots.com/user/crimsicle

Suzette Crim, Silver Spring, MD

holes

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I was mowing my lawn yester day and i saw alot of holes in my yard. There was even holes in my molch. I havn’t seen them yet but i think they will be here in a couple of days if it is hot… Ricky , NJ-Hillsborough

Cicada pictures and web site

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
It’s delightful here in Arlington. Nowhere near full emergence, but pockets of truly Old Testament-level hordes.

I’ve put up a web page with some photos and commentary.
http://www.megargee.com/cicadas Mike, Arlington, VA

Sighted at Columbia Landing Apt. on Tamar Drive

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
As I stepped outside this morning there were at least six cicadas in various stages of molting on the front step. Fortunately or unforunately, depending on your point of view, they were all either dead or dying at the hands (or mandibles) of the ants that covered them. Tim, Columbia

Plenty this morning

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
A few dozen yesterday, hundreds today. Robert, Rockville MD

Cicadas at night

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Stood outside in the backyard after dark last night and watched the drama unfold. As fast as you would see one come out you’d spot another and another and another. They worked hard because this morning not a single one on the ground and they had climbed as high into the old trees as they could. Saw some fully grown adults sunning and drying off. Probably doing some mental solfege and vocalise. Okay I did break down my ten year old fear memories by letting one crawl up and down my arm. It just tickled and my son thought I was pretty weird. Lesley, Centreville, Virginia

Cicadas aren’t a problem

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I’ve seen a few cicadas, but they’re hardly a problem compared to the mass infestation of mosquitoes that plagues all of Northern Virgina each Summer. Snow, Fairfax, VA

Sightings

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
The first real emergence started yesterday the 13th and was really underway this morning, Friday. A tremendous population under our large elm tree. At 6:30 in the morning they were in all stages from nympths to fully emerged. Richard, Sandy Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland

They are starting to sing.

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I went out my door and was greeted with the beginning of their singing. I live near Sligo Creek on one side and a wooded area on another side. Shirley Jeffords, Wheaton, MD

Friday Morning Photos

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Got some photos, still only sporadic sightings, guess they will take a few days to fully emerge here. http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sllesq/album?.dir=/3883&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sllesq/my_photos WSOsGirl, Wilde Lake, Columbia, MD

Cicadas should learn!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Wow! There are a lot of cicadas out in Northern Virginia! I’ve seen them in Herndon Reston Oakton Springfield Alexandria Clifton and even in Gaithersburg!! I think we should help them whenever possible. Hey cicada, this is where you should molt. Hey cicada, heres a tree for you to live on. I can’t believe that people are eating them! 🙂 Ray, Alexandria

cicada song!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I heard the cicadas singing this morning for the first time. They sounded as loud as a rooster! I went out to investigate and saw one laying on the ground so I put him up on the fence. Then the cicada started singing! He must have plenty of sense. Little Johnny, Oakton

They’re HEEEEEERE!!!

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Found 5 shells and 2 live cicadas this morning. The kids were so funny. My normally bug-phobic son was so excited to be able to take them in for show-and-tell this morning at school. My brave daughter just said “EEWWWWWWW”. Haven’t heard any singing yet. Eric, Bellbrook, OH

Emergence May 13

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Johnson City, TN

Pretty significant emergence around the apple tree and shrubs in my front yard.

Cute little buggers! I feel like a proud parent. Dave, Jones

Major emergence starting

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
I’d seen only one carcass up until this morning, May 14, in my area of southern Columbia. This morning, I found several carcasses and cicadas on my house and yard (15 upon minimal searching). So the big emergence is starting here in southern Howard County! Stephen Roth, Columbia, MD

Columbia spotting

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
There was a cicada carcass on my garage this morning! Yuck! Jean, Columbia, MD

Clifton sighting

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
We have seen them, nymphs, in our backyard for two days now. The kids are alreadly killing, adults, them on the playground. We are excited and freaked out!!!!! cicadahunter, Cincinnati, Ohio

Big Night in Bloomington

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Took the kids out tonight to gather cicadas on the IU campus. They were all over. In some places the grass was just crawling with the nymphs. We found LOADS of tenerals just ready for the picking on bushes and trees around the Jordan River (more like a middling creek) near the Bryan House. It was an amazing sight to behold. It was literally like picking berries. I recommend rubber gloves and a gallon sized zip-loc style bag. Fifty are now marinating to be breaded and fried for dinner tomorrow, about one hundred fifty more are dry roasting for chocolate covered cicadas. I’ll post again with a verdict on the flavor. Keith2, Bloomington, IN

The Molt has begun in earnest

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
After seeing only one climb a tree two nights ago, I am seeing quite a few climbing and molting tonight. Just looked at a couple of trees, and saw probably 15-20 climbers, 5 or so actively molting, and a few drying wings off of the molts. And I didn’t even have to leave my deck! Scott McAfee, Springfield, VA

Cicada Hunting

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Went cicada hunting today near rock creek park. HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS of cicadas. Many of them were molting. We collected some of them and gonna cook ’em up and eat them. Rumor has it they are quite tasty! Its official, i’ve caught cicadamania Scott, Silver Spring, MD

Few Photos of Cicada Swarm

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
The 17 year swarm started in our area – if interested you can check few photos I made tonight at http://www.sipankh.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=cicada SIPA, Vienna, VA

Columbia spotting

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
There was a cicada carcass on my garage this morning! Yuck! Jean, Columbia, MD

Clifton sighting

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
We have seen them, nymphs, in our backyard for two days now. The kids are alreadly killing, adults, them on the playground. We are excited and freaked out!!!!! cicadahunter, Cincinnati, Ohio

no action yet

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
No emergence yet in Burnsville, Yancey Co. western North Carolina. Elevation downtown is 2,815 feet; elevation at the house ~2,950 ft. Temperature 63 degrees f at 2am so I gather soil temperature is a little too low.

This is in a borderline area – was not here in 1987 or 1970. I hope they live here and are fixin’ to emerge – want to see this once-every-17-y phenomenon. Ruth, Burnsville, NC

Big Night in Bloomington

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Took the kids out tonight to gather cicadas on the IU campus. They were all over. In some places the grass was just crawling with the nymphs. We found LOADS of tenerals just ready for the picking on bushes and trees around the Jordan River (more like a middling creek) near the Bryan House. It was an amazing sight to behold. It was literally like picking berries. I recommend rubber gloves and a gallon sized zip-loc style bag. Fifty are now marinating to be breaded and fried for dinner tomorrow, about one hundred fifty more are dry roasting for chocolate covered cicadas. I’ll post again with a verdict on the flavor. Keith2, Bloomington, IN

The Molt has begun in earnest

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
After seeing only one climb a tree two nights ago, I am seeing quite a few climbing and molting tonight. Just looked at a couple of trees, and saw probably 15-20 climbers, 5 or so actively molting, and a few drying wings off of the molts. And I didn’t even have to leave my deck! Scott McAfee, Springfield, VA

Cicada Hunting

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
Went cicada hunting today near rock creek park. HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS of cicadas. Many of them were molting. We collected some of them and gonna cook ’em up and eat them. Rumor has it they are quite tasty! Its official, i’ve caught cicadamania Scott, Silver Spring, MD

Few Photos of Cicada Swarm

Date: Friday, May/14/2004
The 17 year swarm started in our area – if interested you can check few photos I made tonight at http://www.sipankh.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=cicada SIPA, Vienna, VA

Mud tubes in Hershey

Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Noticed a couple of mub tubes and exit holes under our large wild cherry tree yesterday morning. Nothing outside yet. Rhett, Hershey, PA

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