Dedicated to cicadas, the most amazing insects in the world.
Magicicada periodical cicada Broods.
Roy Troutman has obtained another marble-eyed 17 year cicada found by Mike & Reed Finfrock of West Chester, Ohio.
White eyes are unique, maybe one in 100,000, but these marble eyed cicadas seem to be even more rare. They look like the red was torn away, revealing the gray below (like something you would see on a blinged out Honda Civic or an 80’s metal guitar).
A Cicada wreath constructed in 2004 by Jenny Pate:
I think it’s awesome! Thanks to Jenny’s husband Bill for sharing.
Anyone else have an example of cicada arts & crafts to share?
Here’s something that’s truly amazing — a 17 year cicada with marble-colored eyes. White eyed cicadas are rare — but a mixed color eye cicada is amazing. Roy and the person how found the cicada should go play the lottery tonight, because luck is on their side.
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 timespan is for the entire emergence, covering all locations in every affected 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.
An adult Magicicada:
A Magicicada suffering from the massospora cicadina fungus:
The fungus is spread during mating.
Another shot of the adult Magicicada:
A Magicicada suffering from the massospora cicadina fungus:
Gene Kritsky collecting a temperature probe for his cicada temperature study from Roy’s backyard:
Last Saturday I (Dan) drove out to western Ohio with the goal of meeting up with fellow cicada maniac Roy Troutman and his family, and observing the 2008 Brood XIV emergence.
So far in 2008, Roy and I:
Roy has collected 2 white eyed cicadas so far, and I’ve handed out a bunch of Cicada Mania buttons. If you see me and ask for one, and I have some with me, it’s yours.
Today I’m leaving Ohio, and headed across Pennsylvania. I plan on stopping around Middletown, Cornwall and Morgantown, where cicadas have been sighted. Then it’s back to homebase in New Jersey were I’ll try to verify the 1906 records of 17 year cicadas in Red Bank, and well as continue to post updates.
Magicicada adults and nymphs in Mariemont Ohio in 2008.
Magicicada emergence in Mariemont Ohio in 2008 from Cicada Mania.
Here’s quite a few photos Roy has taken of the emergence. It’s kind of ironic that I’m staying with Roy and his family, and yet it’s taken me this long to post the photos.
I’m catching up on the photos Roy Troutman has sent me.
Here’s photos from a BBC photoshoot in Mariemont Ohio, taken on May 24th. The photos feature cicada expert Gene Kritsky.
