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December 31, 2008

2008 Archive of Annual Cicada Sightings

Filed under: Annual | Old Message Board — Dan @ 1:01 am

Although this post compiles Annual cicada sightings from 2008, is some Magicicada Brood XIV talk in the July-May comments. Comments are in reverse order.

Hello Elias,

Unfortunately, I saw no cicadas in Puerto Rico although I believe I heard one. However, I brought back some wasps and nests.

I had seen some pictures of cicadas from Puerto Rico, but I’ll check the website you mentioned.

I hope you have some success in Florida!

Best regards,

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — November 3, 2008 [AT] 5:16 pm

Hello Bob,

Going to Minnesota on business for a few days. No cicadas there. Then to Florida next weekend — possible T. davisi still alive there. This will be investigated.

There is a website on Purto Rican cicadas that I posted to Gerry’s Cicada Forum. I hope that is helpful. I wonder if you would have specimens for trade etc. Would love to see some Puerto Rican specimens.

Highly recommend the Davis collection. Saw 50 T. auletes in one box!! and there are over 30000 specimens in there! Must return soon.

Have a safe trip.
Elias

Comment by Elias — October 24, 2008 [AT] 6:21 pm

Hello Elias,

It looks as if you had a great time all around! It will be neat to see some of your photos!

I visited the Mississippi
State Univ. Entomology Museum. There were quite a few specimens, including many T. resonans and auletes. I tried taking a digital photo of one of the resonans, but I suspect most of the specimens had faded somewhat. There were many rather dark specimens labeled T. sayi that looked like chloromera (with the long tymbal covers).

I thought I heard a male calling in Birmingham (something like chloromera), but I didn’t see nor hear anything in MS or southern AL, possibly due to the arrival of the strong cold front—temps only reached about 70 F, with nights about 50.

I head to Puerto Rico this weekend. Good luck in Florida!

Best regards,

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — October 20, 2008 [AT] 7:05 pm

Hello Bob,

The Davis museum was an absolute blast. So many cicadas, so little time. I spent yesterday in Brookhaven digging up first instar nymphs. It was interesting to see some put up a weak defense by waving their foreleg claws at you from their minute feeding chambers. Snapped tons of pictures of this not often observed period of life.

Going to Florida at the end of the month. Hiopefully T. davisi is still active. Need to obtain some specimens!
Hope all is well in Alabama. Take care
Elias

Comment by Elias — October 19, 2008 [AT] 10:36 am

Hello Elias,

That should be extremely interesting to see the Davis collection.
Please give my regards to Gerry; I’ll get back in touch with him sometime after I finish travelling.

It appears the weather will be a bit cool in Alabama, especially when I get a chance to travel around during the weekend, so I won’t hold my breath regarding seeing any cicadas!

Best regards,

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — October 14, 2008 [AT] 2:15 pm

Hello Bob,

No cicadas here. Have to go to Brookhaven one more time to observe first instars. WIll try to look for stragglers next May/June.

Wishing you a lot of luck finding T. davisi. I saw in Beamer’s paper on cicadas of kansas that many species are active into October there. Perhaps Alabama should bear fruit. Cicadas of Puerto Rico should be very interesting.

I am going to the Staten Island Museum tomorrow to view W.T. Davis’s collection. Supposedly over 60,000 cicadas there. Been planning this for a while. Gerry from Massachusetts Cicadas is coming too. Should be a lot of fun.

All the best,
Elias

Comment by Elias — October 13, 2008 [AT] 7:29 pm

Hello Elias,

I haven’t heard any cicadas for a couple weeks now. Other than for finding exuviae in VA and NC, the season is over here.

However, I will be going to AL later this week, and with a little luck I may be able to find at least T. davisi.

In a couple weeks I am going to Puerto Rico, so maybe I’ll see species I haven’t seen before.

Best regards,

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — October 13, 2008 [AT] 4:19 pm

Hello Bob,

Very interesting! Wish I was still hearing cicadas. I was down in Atlantic City this weekend but the weather was very rainy all three days. I am not sure if T. latisfasciata comes that far north but its possible.

T pruinosa and variants appear very similar to T linnei which makes this business confusing! Sometimes that coastal wing margin bend is not as pronounced on a linnei specimen. I know this because I only have linnei here and no pruinosa so I can observe every variety and every smaller nymph turns out to be a T. linnei. There are very subtle differences between T. pruinosa, t. winnemanna and latisfascaiata. I think Kathy Hill gave me a nice summary and I will try to locate that email.

I intend to visit the Staten Island Museum collection which house one of the largest collections in the world put together by the cicada pioneer William T. Davis. That should be very interesting to see.

Take care for now,
Elias

Comment by Elias — September 30, 2008 [AT] 7:02 am

Hello Elias,

This weekend I heard T. linnei in Columbus, and both linnei and chloromera near Loveland (NE of Cincinnati, along the Little Miami River trails). The weather was warm and sunny. On the Ohio State Univ. campus I collected three exuviae, one appearing small enough to be canicularis.

I had a brief opportunity to take a hurried look at the cicadas in the OSU insect collection. I saw specimens that looked exactly like those I have found in NC that resemble T. linnei with a straighter forewing and more blunt tymbal covers, and these were labeled as T. robinsoniana. If this is what I have, then those larger, greener ones are probably T. winnemanna. (Some that resembled them were labeled pruinosa.) In any case, I hope I can spend more time there and with other collections in the near future!

Best regards,

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — September 29, 2008 [AT] 4:34 pm

Hello Bob,

If T. cannicularis is out there thats a possibility. Here in western Long Island all is quiet except crickets and katydids. Out east, T. cannicularis was still calling. I will make one more trip. I need to photograph some more 1st instars and want to dig in an area that has Brood V (very weird location) which is sympatric with Brood XIV in Brookhaven. I hope to unearth some of those mature nymphs. Will keep you updated.

Take care,
Elias

Comment by Elias — September 23, 2008 [AT] 8:08 pm

Hello Elias,

I will be going to Ohio later this week and weekend, so I will be interested in hearing if anything is still calling there. I’ll be in Columbus and in Cincinnati.

Maybe you can check that sight every year to see if you can find larger nymphs!

Best regards,

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — September 23, 2008 [AT] 5:51 pm

Hello Bob,

Here in NY, the cicada activity has nearly ceased. In my area, T. chloromera and T. linnei are the dominant species and I have heard nothing from them.

I went to Brookhaven yesterday with a group of cicada enthusiasts and researchers to examine first instar nymphs. We dug beneath trees in areas that were pretty heavily flagged. I found sifting through the most superficial layer where the rootlets were was the highest yield. In one spot I found 11! Brought a 10X jewelers loupe which revealed the darker eye spots, long antennae, clawlike forelegs, spindly legs and the beak by which they feed. Additionally they have these fine hairy projections all over their body. This is my third time this emergence seeing first instars. This is a stage I have never witnessed before. The loupe helps as they appear very small to the naked eye.

The nice part is that T. canicularis was calling in the distance, a reminder that we are still hanging on to a piece of summer!

Talk to you soon.

Take care,
Elias

Comment by Elias — September 22, 2008 [AT] 4:03 am

Hello Elias,

I captured a male of D. viridifascia at the end of June in S Florida, and heard many others. I don’t know the song of D. olympusa in the field although I have heard it on the websites.

This weekend I went to eastern NC, including Greenville where I heard several T. davisi; they seemed to be calling mostly from loblolly pines (P. taeda). Along the way to the coast from Raleigh I heard a couple T. winnemanna in the Goldsboro area.

Back in Greensboro we found one dead female T. chloromera. Otherwise, I think the season is heading toward the end, although some days are cooler so the remaining male cicadas might not be calling even if present.

Best regards,

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — September 21, 2008 [AT] 7:14 pm

Hello Bob,

I look forward to Florida. I have heard Diceroprocta olympusa and Diceroprocta viridifascia while I was there in June. By looking at the charts of activity on the Northern Florida Cicada site, they can be active into october, especially davisi. That parallels T. canicularis here in the north which persists late in the season.

Will return to Brookhaven possibly this weekend to follow up on the first instars. I was thinking of getting a microscope and viewing the speicmens live to see if I could see the eyes.

Take care,
Elias

Comment by Elias — September 19, 2008 [AT] 7:26 am

Hello Elias,

I should put my hatchlings under a microscope to see if I can see red eyes. However, it’s possible the alcohol preservative may have affected the color.

I heard T. chloromera and davisi today in Lenoir, NC. By the way, I have a female T. davisi collected Oct 9 (1994) in Beaufort Co., NC, although it has rather battered wings; however, this suggests you should be able to find this species in Florida, too.

Take care,

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — September 18, 2008 [AT] 5:19 pm

Hello Bob,

Heard T. linnei and T. chloromera over the weekend. The calling frequency has dropped dramatically. Hoping to go to Fl. in October so I may be able to come in contact with some different species.

I will return this weekend to see the first instars. They are very interesting! They have red eyes at birth too which is cool. I am thinkng of getting a microscope to really study their morphology.

Stay in touch
Elias

Comment by Elias — September 17, 2008 [AT] 4:31 pm

Hello Elias,

This past weekend in Greensboro I heard T. winnemanna, a couple auletes, davisi, robinsoniana, and several linnei. Although I found some exuviae (mainly on the ground, probably fallen from the trees), I found no dead adults. This morning in Lenoir, NC I heard a single chloromera. The activity is slowing down a bit but there there.

All the exuviae I have found in Greensboro were of moderate size—that is, no davisi nor auletes.

By the way, I’m impressed with your having found hatchlings among rootlets, as you had reported earlier!

Best regards,

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — September 15, 2008 [AT] 5:45 pm

There was a Tibicen on my brick wall in Akron Ohio this morning. We had a bad wind storm throughout northeast Ohio. It appeared to be fully grown does this mean they are coming, going or just a fluke? I have a few pictures of it.
Thanks Tony

Comment by Tony — September 15, 2008 [AT] 4:35 am

Last night,my buddy and i caught a 17 year cicada while digging to make a dirt ramp for my bike.
he put it in a 156 gallon tank and he hopes to keep it.

Comment by gavin — September 14, 2008 [AT] 8:33 am

Last night,my buddy and i caught a 17 year cicada while digging to make a dirt ramp for my bike.
he put it in a 156 gallon tank and he hopes to keep it.

Comment by gavin — September 14, 2008 [AT] 8:32 am

Hello Laura,

You can learn a lot on this site. The cicada is a fascinating insect and it was around 5 yrs old that I began my fascination. I am now 35!! Stick with it, and send us some pictures. All the best from NY to MI!
Elias

Comment by Elias — September 9, 2008 [AT] 9:17 pm

Hello again Elias, Thankyou for your help, I took your advice & went to Roy Troutman’s Gallery. It was a Tibicen! Im still very excited. I have only ever been able to hear them never saw one & to share this experience with my 5yr old son who loves bugs of any kind was truly a memorable one. Laura, Springport, MI.

Comment by Laura — September 9, 2008 [AT] 11:50 am

Greetings all:

I am looking for any information on the location of Tibicen auletes on Long Island or Staten Island, New York.
Please review this picture/call of T. auletes. They like sandy soil and oak trees and call mainly at dusk.
http://www.musicofnature.com/songsofinsects/iframes/cicadas/popup_tibiaule.html
Please tell me what town or nearby place you hear them or you can email me directly at epb471 [AT] yahoo.com. The goal is to update nearly 100 year old databases on this elusive species. Thank you!! ELIAS

Comment by Elias — September 7, 2008 [AT] 6:49 pm

Angie,

I kept one for 13 days after emergence. Fresh twigs from hardwood trees should be provided so the cicada can suck the juices from the twigs.

In what geographic area are you finding these?

Comment by Bob Jacobson — September 2, 2008 [AT] 3:04 pm

We have been finding lots of shells and cicadas in our yard. My 4 year old daughter has become quite the enthusiast. We saw one last night crawling in the grass with shell intact and this morning the shell was shed and the beautiful cicada was right next to it! Very cool. How long after they shed their shells do they typicall live and what do they eat as adults? Thanks!

Comment by Angie — September 2, 2008 [AT] 12:11 pm

Hello Elias,

This photo is definitely not of chloromera. I would say it is the “typical” form of lyricen (which, admittedly, varies somewhat, too!). Besides the coloration, the tymbal covers are proportionately much smaller than those on chloromera. By the way, this IS a beautiful photo!

My immediate “objective” is to develop proficiency in recognizing all the species of Tibicen found in the eastern half of the US. After that, I want to learn all the Tibicen in the entire US as well as the Diceroprocta and other genera. This will all prove helpful in compiling distribution records so we can all learn more about where each species occurs.

By the way, I have both my green (virescens?) form and engelhardti in Lenoir, which suggests sympatry. In the University of Georgia collection I saw almost nothing but engelhardti (most from Athens, Atlanta, etc.), just one “typical” lyricen (but unfortunately I didn’t note the locality) but none of the green form.

Best regards,

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — September 2, 2008 [AT] 9:29 am

I noticed a cicada on the side of my home in Sussex County NJ on 9/1/08. It was the size of a small hummingbird, mostly an iridescent green/blue and made a clicking sound when flying away. I have noticed the empty shells around the yard since last year.

Comment by Judi — September 2, 2008 [AT] 8:37 am

Hello Bob,

I have heard that T. lyricen var. engelhardti has a predomiance in certain areas. I have only captured one here in NY so the regular morph is more dominant here.
The one picture I have seen is a mis-identified T. chloromera on Bug Guide. It has a clear ventral brown stripe which chlormera never exhibits. I have been told that this is most likely T. virescens. I think engelhardti has been discounted as a separate species. The terminology in the cicada world is definitely not user friendly! LOL. Tell me what you think of this beautiful pic:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/190626/bgimage

Take care,
Elias

Comment by Elias — September 2, 2008 [AT] 6:00 am

Hello Elias,

Thanks! I try that approach. I’ve collected T. l. engelhardti in Lenoir and I’ve seen specimens from Georgia. I suspect both this and virescens may be distinct species from T. l. lyricen. I never suspected my green specimens could be virescens (although the epithet certainly fits the coloration!) I’ve been unable to find any photos on the internet so far. In any case, I’ll let you know what I find out!

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — September 1, 2008 [AT] 7:46 pm

Hello Bob,

I think linnei have to have that costal margin bend which is an essential element of that key.

I wonder if the larger greener specimens are Tibicen lyricen var. virescens. Not sure if this variety was made a species yet. Lyricen are larger than linnei or pruinosa, have the ventral brown band and have this greenish morph that I think was reported from Florida. Would be best to ask the crew from Storrs with pictures. That is my suspicion. Tell me what you find.
Elias

Comment by Elias — September 1, 2008 [AT] 7:27 pm

Hello Elias (and other interested readers),

I was looking at my collection and I realized something—I have T. linnei (from NC and elsewhere) with their characteristic sharp bends in the costal veins of the forewings. However, I have a few other specimens from NC of similar coloration and size but with lesser bends and rather flatter ends on the tymbal covers in the males, and the latter specimens strongly resemble those I collected in eastern Nebraska and Kansas that were making the “scissor-grinder” calls, so I assume these NC specimens are actually winnemanna. What I’m finding confusing is that I also have some larger, greener NC specimens (more extensively green on the thorax, and with some green on the abdominal segments) that I assume are still another species. These specimens are slightly larger than chloromera but much smaller than auletes.

Can anyone put a name on these larger green specimens, and is my interpretation of the others correct? I can take photos if that will be of help.

Thanks,
Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — September 1, 2008 [AT] 7:09 pm

I know the Tibicen don’t hatch in broods, but you would never know it here in the Hyde Park area of Cincinnati. They seem to be everywhere and you can hear their songs coming from every tree in the neighborhood.

I was out for a bike ride this morning and got whacked in the cheek by a Tibicen. Let me tell you, know that I’ve experienced both, that’s nothing like getting hit by a Magicicada. That Tibicen was MEATY. Felt like someone lobbed a rock at my face!

Comment by Tom L — September 1, 2008 [AT] 6:41 pm

Hello Bob,

Very nice!! I am looking forward to my Florida trip as the South appears very much alive. Here in NY, the chloromera and linnei chorus has dropped in intensity. I managed to find a mangled chlormera male on the ground yesterday. Also found a female on its back that appeared to be dying. Put her on a maple sapling and she readily began to feed. As I was leaving, a male began calling at only 4 feet above the ground. Coaxed him into my net and took him home. What a nice surprise. He called 1x in the Butterfly Pavillion. At night searched Morgan’s Park and Crocheron Park, no nymphs. It seems like the season is slipping away. Good luck getting some of those very interesting species! (Robbinsonia, Winnemanna, Davisi are species I have never seen).

Take care,
Elias

Comment by Elias — September 1, 2008 [AT] 3:40 am

Hello Elias,

This past weekend in Greensboro, I heard T. chloromera, winnemanna, linnei, robbinsoniana, and even a couple auletes and a davisi. Late this morning, as I was searching under trees for dead cicadas, hearing several robbinsoniana calling made me feel frustrated! (I have become effectively blind in one eye, so it is nearly impossible to focus on anything sitting in a tree, and even searching on the ground is rather tricky unless there is a lot of sunlight.) I found only a completely decayed davisi and a somewhat battered winnemanna on the ground. Rainy weather made things rot, and then the mowers finished off anything else before I could get out! I’ll try again next week.

However, I found a small number of exuviae that I’m certain weren’t there last week.

The chloromera I found last Saturday died this Saturday.

Best regards,

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 31, 2008 [AT] 7:12 pm

Hello Bob,

Yesterday was cool and overcast. 72 degrees and no nymphs. This morning has rained heavily. Hoping there are some more nymphs waiting underground. Heard a few linnei with the “Cold Temperature” call. We shall keep posted. May have to go to FLorida soon so looking forward to that!

Take care,
Elias

Comment by Elias — August 30, 2008 [AT] 1:24 am

Hello Elias,

Last Saturday I picked up a few more exuviae from trees I had examined before, so I believe they are, but I will see if there are any new ones this weekend!

Have a safe one!

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 29, 2008 [AT] 1:00 pm

Hello Bob,

I am sorry. I got you confused with Mike from Western PA. He stated that he heard pruinosa in Philadelphia. This is of tremendous interest to me as Philadelphia is closer to NY and I could conceivably make a quick day trip out there.

Do you still have nymphs coming out in NC. Caught 1 T. linnei female yesterday.

Enjoy the labor day weekend!
Elias

Comment by Elias — August 29, 2008 [AT] 12:56 pm

Hello Elias,

Ho, I’ve never heard pruinosa/winnemanna in Philadelphia. I’ve heard (and seen) chloromera and linnei there. I looked back at my earlier messages here but I can’t find a mention of pr/wi in Philadelphia; or did I say this elsewhere? (If I did, I guess I “misspoke”! Please let me know where so I can figure out if I’m going senile!)

This morning in Lenoir, NC I heard chloromera, linnei and davisi. I’ll be in Greensboro this week so it will be interesting to see what I can find there!

Have a great weekend!

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 29, 2008 [AT] 10:46 am

Hello Bob,

Earlier you said pruinosa/winnemanna live in Philadelphia. Is this confirmed or no? I would make a trip to hear them Philadelphia is not too far.

Caught a female linnei eclosing tonight. She is hanging out on my finger and just folded her wings into the adult roof like pattern. This never gets old. The amount of nymphs has clearly declined.

Good night,
Elias

Comment by Elias — August 28, 2008 [AT] 6:56 pm

Hello Elias,

The farthest east I have heard pruinosa/winnemanna in the northeastern US would be the ones in Pittsburgh. I don’t recall ever having heard it in NE NJ—that was “chloromera country”. Of course in North Carolina winnemanna is abundant in the eastern part of the state.

I made a mistake in an earlier message—the Maury River goes through Buena Vista, VA—not the Shenandoah.

Best regards,

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 28, 2008 [AT] 3:17 pm

Green Grocers are an Australian species. Take a look at Roy Troutman’s gallery of Tibicen cicadas here. https://www.cicadamania.com/gallery19.html

The newly emerged adult, known as a teneral, is usually a beautiful shade of green. They will darken by the morning. Hope that helps!

Comment by Elias — August 27, 2008 [AT] 2:55 pm

I saw what looked EXACTLY like the photos of the Green Grocer you have on this site yesterday emerging from its exoskeleton. It was on a weeping willow tree in my back yard, my son & I watched it for approx 1/2 hour to 45 min. It was the most unusual bright green I have ever seen. I have never seen one emerging only ever saw the exoskeleton. We live in Springport Michigan. Is it possible that this was a Green Grocer???? Laura

Comment by Laura — August 27, 2008 [AT] 9:07 am

Hello Bob,

Heard a cannicularis call out in Brookhaven yesterday. Looking for more first instar Magicicada nymphs but found none. It seems that the hatching process has ended. I really wanted to see the so called “nymnph rain”. I am glad I saw them took lots of video and pictures.

Caught a chlormera yesterday by the Bay. It was cool so surprised he called. If ti wasnt for chloromera I would not be into this hobby. They are the most interactive of the Tibicens. Tried to get him to call with recordings of other chloromera. He performed the starting part of the call but never got into the whole oscillating portion.

No nymphs in the park yesterday. Hope the season is not over. How far east have you heard Pruinosa/Winnemanna?

Be well
Elias

Comment by Elias — August 27, 2008 [AT] 4:37 am

Hello Elias,

I’ve heard canicularis and lyricens in central PA the past few days, and now in Pittsburgh this afternoon I heard lyricens and winnemanna (or pruinosa). The chloromera I collected as a nymph over two weeks ago in Virginia died this past Saturday, so I had kept it alive as an adult almost two full weeks. I have a live male chloromera I found on the ground in Greensboro just before I left for PA. (I also found a headless, but still living, linnei on the ground in Greensboro.) In PA my father was shaving yesterday with a rather loud electric razor and the chloromera (inside a plastic bag with cuttings) started singing along, and stopped after the razor was turned off! Last Saturday I drove on US 60 to the Blue Ridge Parkway, just E of the town of Buena Vista, VA; and heard canicularis near the summit, among pines. Along the Shenandoah River just west of that town I heard winnemanna. Tomorrow I return to NC, but with the rainy weather I probably won’t encounter anything. However, I’ve been collecting almost all the exuviae I’ve been able to find; perhaps I can figure out to identify all the species from them.

I’m glad you are having some luck finding live nymphs!

Best regards,

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 26, 2008 [AT] 6:27 pm

Hello Bob,

Captured two nymphs yesterday, Tibicen chloromera and Tibicen linnei. Both females. Cool morning today (70 deg) with few calling. Managed to get a male chloromera to walk into my net and transported him home. I have him in the “Butterfly Pavillion” which is excellent for keeping cicadas. Have to drive east for canicularis. I have seen only one nymph of canicularis eclose that I obtained in Connecticut.

Auletes seems like a distant dream. Maybe next year!
Elias

Comment by Elias — August 26, 2008 [AT] 8:57 am

Hello Elias,

Sorry you’ve had no luck with auletes! In central PA I’ve always noticed that canicularis exuviae are almost always on conifers (I’ve usually found them on cultivated spruces) and the adults seem to sing from them, too. Otherwise, I don’t generally think of conifers as cicada-food!

Good luck to you, too!

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 22, 2008 [AT] 9:19 am

Hello Bob,

The staten Island Auletes hunt has been frustrating. Spent time in Wolfe’s Pond Park which is absolutely gorgeous. The linnei chorus was strong but no other species called. Found some smaller exuvia too. May shift my focus back to eastern long island where I heard them and where I found an exuvium last year.

I have to capture canicularis in NY too. They have a liking for pine forests as some literature suggests they dissapear from mixed forests when the pines are eradicated. Found one eclosing in Sleeping Giant State Park Connecticut, just outside, where there were so many exuvia too!! Trying to find an equivalent of that site in NY.

Not too much time left, so hopefully we get what we need before the end of the season. Good luck!

All the best,
Elias

Comment by Elias — August 22, 2008 [AT] 4:19 am

Hello Elias,

I hope you are successful in finding some auletes, preferably a live nymph!

Last year I found a dead adult male in excellent condition in Greensboro. I wish I could find a robbinsoniana!

I’m heading to Pennsylvania again this weekend until Wednesday AM. I’d be happy to find a canicularis adult, either live or dead!

Best regards,
Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 21, 2008 [AT] 7:43 pm

Hello Bob,

I happened upon an exuvium from T. auletes on an oak tree in Wading River last year. I have searched hundreds of trees in Wildwood Park (the only place I have heard them) and never found one! Found tons of T. lyricen exuvia but no auletes. WIldwood is a unique place as it has sandy soil and there are no canicularis, chlromera and linnei. Now without lyricen, auletes is the dominant species and they sing only at around 8PM. Never heard auletes call during the day.

I have noticed some definite variability in the size of the exuvia. For example I have had some larger chlromera and one just as as small as a linnei. Canicularis are the smallest of the tibicens here.

I am so interested in collecting more auletes exuvia. My goal is to find a nymph and film the eclose process. I will return to the land of Davis (Staten Island) tomorrow. Hopefully I will have some luck. Be well and have a great evening.

Take care,
Elias

Comment by Elias — August 20, 2008 [AT] 8:30 pm

Hello Elias,

I have some evuviae of canicularis and a known chloromera that I can use for comparison with the batch I just collected. I’ve only collected two exuviae of auletes in my lifetime.

I haven’t times the calling period of auletes, but I have heard them about the hours you suggested—approaching dusk. However, as i recall, it has only been for short periods.

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 20, 2008 [AT] 2:47 pm

Hello Bob,

I have done the same with exuvia. Here in North east Queens County, Tibicen chloromera and linnei dominate. The exuvia for chloromera are larger than linnei. Lyricen is somewhere in between and I hear more of this species further east. Canicularis has smaller exuvia then all the species mentioned and they are found further east as well. Then there is Tibicen auletes. I have been lucky enough to find one exuvium last year in Wading River on an Oak tree. I heard them call at Wildwood Park but no nymphs or exuvia yet. This species has frustrated me. Bob — when have you heard them calling? Here auletes calls between 7:57PM up to 8:30PM sometimes calling for only 3 — 5 minutes and at most a half hour. No specimens collected yet.

Comment by Elias — August 19, 2008 [AT] 8:12 pm

TOday was a great day. Went to Brookhaven along the William Floyd Parkway and found 1st instar nymphs. I went under branches that had evidience of ovipositing (dead “flagged” branches). Then I laid a black material underneath (a discarded garbage bag I found discarded in the forest). I shook the branch and there they were! They are the size of ants and move at a moderate spped. Took lots of nice photos and videos. This is a stage of their lifecycle I had never seen before. They are so small and fragile.

Comment by Elias — August 19, 2008 [AT] 8:08 pm

This past weekend I tried to see how many cicadas and exuviae I could find in Greensboro, NC. In addition to hearing chloromera during the brightest part of the day, there are robbinsoniana, linnei, winnemanna and a few auletes during the evening. By searching around the trees, I have found a few dead males of linnei and chloromera, one of the latter in nearly perfect condition. I completely filled a sandwich ziploc bag with exuviae, but what I would like to know is why I find most of them on the cultivated Leyland cypresses but very few few on the hardwoods. (One Leyland cypress had some 30 or 40 on or underneath it!) I find most of the adults under red maples and especially willow oaks, but the latter are the largest trees there so serve as natural targets. I certainly would like to know which species is on developing on the cypress roots! By the way, all of them are about the same size. In addition, it’s frustrating to hear the robbinsoniana without so far I having found a single dead one!

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 18, 2008 [AT] 5:57 pm

Thanx Bob for the helpful information I will check that link out..

Comment by Jewells — August 13, 2008 [AT] 4:36 pm

Jewells,

You are probably seeing and hearing specimens of the genus Tibicen, which are the large dog-day cicadas that appear each year during the warmest summer months. You might enjoy checking the Univ. of Michigan website (http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/fauna/michigan_cicadas/Michigan/Index.html) and scrolling down to the Tibicen section to see photos and listen to their songs to see which species you are encountering!

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 13, 2008 [AT] 3:21 pm

Hi,
I just wanted to report in here in Bay City, MI we are getting the green cicada’s emerging eveywhere as of august 13th 2008..We caught the beetle form and it’s tranforming into the beautiful green cicada at this moment ..You can hear them ..They were here last year too..I was wondering if this was a late batch coming out? We also took pictures too to share..
Best regards,
jewells

Comment by Jewells — August 13, 2008 [AT] 10:41 am

Hi Elias,

I haven’t noticed any differences, but I wasn’t aware that there would be any. The hatching took place from thicker living twigs, so they are inherently different from the smaller dried ones. I’ll keep this in mind and see if notice anything of interest.

I just checked Christine’s photos, but I can’t identify the species. Perhaps after the cicada darkens I will be able to do so if she posts more photos.

Yes, it would be fun to collect both of these genera. I’ve found Diceroprocta in S FL and W TX as well, but have collected Okanagana only once—I believe in SE WY (over 30 years ago!). I collected what I believe is Platypedia in NE CA; I’ll have to key it to be certain!

Do you simply snap your fingers, or is there a special way to do it, such as by a snap that isn’t very loud, more of a sliding sound than a crisp snap?

Best regards,

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 13, 2008 [AT] 9:22 am

Hello again,
I originally posted from Collieville, TN that I had taken pictures of a cicada emerging, but after doing more reading on this website, I believe the correct term is molting. I’m not sure how to post my pictures on this website, but anyone interested can go to a google page I created to view them.

picasaweb.google.com/Christine1036/Cicada

—Chris

Comment by Christine — August 13, 2008 [AT] 6:53 am

Hello Bob,

I have to make the trip out west to see some Diceroprocta and Okanagana species.

One question, have you seen Magicicada oviposition scars before and after hatching? Supposedly there is a change once they hatch.

Take care,
Elias

Comment by Elias — August 13, 2008 [AT] 3:52 am

A few years ago I was in Las Vegas at this time of the year, and the species that was out was Diceroprocta apache. They vary somewhat in tint. I had the best luck near the Deseret Industries store (as I recall, on the south side of Flamingo some distance E of the UNLV campus), especially on mesquite and similar leguminous trees. I found the best way to capture them was to wait until it was almost dark, and then slowly approach with a hand, not snapping my hand until within a couple inches away—any sooner and they flew off and escaped. I captured a few, put them into a container with some mulberry twigs, and set them up in my lab in NC where they survived for several days.

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 12, 2008 [AT] 9:42 am

On vacation to Las Vegas, I got out to the edge of town & was surprised to hear & spot cicadas in what basically amounted to the desert! Didn’t get a photo, and now I am kicking myself… But they definitely didn’t look like the midwestern types.

Comment by Randall — August 12, 2008 [AT] 6:24 am

Hello Bob,

Definitely interested in Christine’s nymph too. Hopefully she can upload pictures. Yesterday, amazingly, saw 5 — 6 nymphs eclosing even though it was in the low 70′s. A bit cool for here. There was no dusk chorus because of the rain and cool weather. Filmed the entire eclose process for a T. chlormera female.

Last Sunday I heard a male chlormera calling low. I snapped my fingers to simulate wing flick signaling and he repsonded back. Unlike Magicicada, male tibicens seem to perform wing flick signaling as well. I coaxed him to climb unto my net and undisturbed and lowered him down. I kept snapping my fingers and let him walk from the net to my hand. He called about 5-6 x, then flew. It was an extremely short flight, not the usual long courses, allowing recapture 2x and a repeat of the process. Highly recommned this if you have chloromera in your area. Not enough experience with other species to see if they respond the same way. I do remember as a kid that linnei do the same thing, and they like to walk alot as they call.

Hopefully I can find a nearby area for pruinosa and I will travel.

If tomorrow is nice, may hunt auletes again. I am motivated to capture this species.

Take care and hope you had a safe drive
Elias

Comment by Elias — August 12, 2008 [AT] 1:22 am

Elias,

The hatchings I saw and collected were in Lenoir, NC, not in PA. I only say a few twigs in PA in which oviposition took place (and I watched M. cassini ovipositing in a couple of these). I checked the twigs a little while ago and found no nymphs. However, I would think it would be about time for them to hatch in PA and NY.

I’ve never heard winnemanna/pruinosa in PA. However, I’ve spent relatively little time in the SE corner which would probably be the most likely area, and the limited time I’ve spent there mainly yielded chloromera, with linnei just across the river in NJ.

Yesterday I was driving back to NC from PA, and I heard both canicularis and lyricen at the I-70 E-bound rest area in Fulton County just S of Town Hill.

While travelling, I stopped at the I-81 S-bound rest area in Augusta Co., VA, NE of Staunton nr Mile 232 at 5 PM and checked most of the trees. Along with some empty shells, a live nymph was crawling up a green ash tree, so I took it with me. I checked it at 8:30 PM and a teneral male of T. chloromera had already emerged. (It has now darkened completely.)

By the way, I heard a “scissor-grinder” just a short distance off I-81 Exit 137 near Salem, VA last night.

It would be interesting to learn what species Chris found in Collierville, TN (just SE of Memphis)!

I’d love to learn how to simulate the wing flick signalling! I’ve wondered whether playing recordings of songs would attract females; have you tried this, too?

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 11, 2008 [AT] 6:13 pm

Bob,

Well, that means I have to mae a trip out to the emergence sites again. Really hope to see some white specks. DIx Hills is closest but there was not a huge amount of ovipositing there. Brookhaven was by far the largest so will have to check this out. If they are hatching in PA, then NY should be occurring too. Are you still seeing them?

Had some fun with chloromera coaxing them to call on my hand by utilizing simulated wing flick signaling with finger snaps. Also obtained 5 cicada specimens from a large cicada killer lek in a nearby park.

Have you heard any pruinosa out there in PA. Wondering what the farthest point east for pruinosa (or winnemanna) would be so I could hear the “scissor grinder”. Here we have chloromera, linnei and some lyricen. Further east is cannicularis. Also heard Tibicen auletes (finally) out in Wading River.

Great to hear from you and good luck.
Elias

Comment by Elias — August 11, 2008 [AT] 3:32 am

Elias,

I had seen all the adults in this patch of woods, so I checked the twigs. There were some dead hanging ones, but there were also some thicker ones with notches in them that were still alive. Several species of trees were involved, but most were red maple, probably because it is the most abundant at the edge of the woods and has low branches. I just simply looked around the notches until I noticed a couple white specks nearby, so I put a small plastic bag under them and disturbed them just a bit so they dropped into the bag. I did this late in the day, perhaps an hour before dusk because it was cooler, but maybe other times of the day would actually be better.

I also wanted to report that about a half hour ago (11:30 AM EDT) I was walking in a wooded area in Martha’s Park in Lanse, Clearfield Co., PA where it was sunny with relatively low humidity, and I heard a T. lyricen in addition to a handful of T. canicularis. It’s nice to know there is something here in addition to the latter species!

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 9, 2008 [AT] 9:04 am

Very nice. How and when did you locate first instar nymphs? If the weather cooperates, I will go out to eastern L.I. to Brookhaven and see if I can find any. Also the hunt for T. auletes is on. Hopefully they are emerging in greater numbers now that August is here.

Comment by Elias — August 8, 2008 [AT] 3:52 am

I tried to pose the adult next to a vial with the hatchling. The vast difference in size (and the limited ability of my “old-fashioned” digital camera!) made this tricky, but hopedly the nymph can be seen.

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 7, 2008 [AT] 6:55 pm

Hello Joe

Can you send a picture of it into the cicadamania website for us to view. It would be interesting to identify the species.

Bob: that is an amazing lifespan. “Refrigerated stasis” is pretty cool. Hope you got the pictures of Magicicada adults and first instars in addition to Magicicada and Tibicen.

Comment by Elias — August 6, 2008 [AT] 4:39 pm

My last Magicicada septendecim male (which was my last living periodical cicada) died last night after over 11 weeks in captivity. I guess the only red eyes I’m going to see for the next 2 years and 9 months (until Brood XIX starts appearing in the Gulf states) will be on human faces!

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 6, 2008 [AT] 2:45 pm

Joe,

It might be a female. Female cicadas do not make a sound because they have no tymbals. If you look at the underside of the cicada, you can tell the difference—a male has what appear to be two slightly-overlapping “flaps” or tymbal covers while the female lacks these.

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 4, 2008 [AT] 6:33 pm

To add to my recent post it also does not make ANY sound. It is still alive and for 2 days now I have been home and it has made no sound. Is that irregular?

Comment by Joe — August 4, 2008 [AT] 10:19 am

Hi, I have been fortunate enough to find myself a black, green, and white cicada. I have no idea what to do with it or who to tell…much less who to turn in to and I am wondering if you would know about that?

Comment by Joe — August 4, 2008 [AT] 10:08 am

Hi Elias,

I’m in central PA for the week. I’ve found some T. canicularis exuviae on conifers and have heard a few males, but otherwise nothing very exciting so far.

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 4, 2008 [AT] 7:53 am

Hello Bob,

Best location on LI was Brookhaven along the William Floyd Parkway. The flagging is really intense too. Close runners up were East Setauket and Coram.
Will definitely look for stragggler next year. I have seen nymphs and the eclose process fro T. chloromera, linnei, canicularis, lyricen and M. septendecim. I am actively searching for auletes and hope to film it. Also want to have a collection of giant exuviae. The only one I found comes from Wading River Long Island last year. I heard auletes there this yeear so the hunt is on!!

Comment by Elias — August 1, 2008 [AT] 3:33 pm

Hi Elias,

I have collected T. davisi in the far eastern part of NC, but this area is quite different. I’ll just keep looking until I can find one!

Regarding auletes, I will keep my ears open! Last year I heard one (in eastern NC) in late afternoon, still a couple hours before dusk. They are uncommon right here although I’ve heard it at least once here.

I only have two large shells—an old one from eastern NC and another I found in Gainesville, FL. The only live nymph I’ve ver seen was a canicularis from central PA several decades ago!

I’m going to be in central PA all this coming week!

One question I have—were any good locations for Magicicada septendecula found this past spring (Brood XIV)? If so, it might be worth visiting next year to look for stragglers.

Cheers,

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 1, 2008 [AT] 9:38 am

Hello Bob

Your suspended animation experiments are so cool. Wish I did the same as I would still have Magicicada now. Only got to experience septendecim this emergence. I think you are far too south for canicularis. Davisi reportedly has the same type of call, but a much shorter duration then canicularis. Sound of Insects has good sound files. I never heard davisi yet except here.

What is your experience with auletes down there. DO they call at other times except dusk. What is their activity during cloudy weather? Have you found a giant nymph yet. Here in NY, Wildwood State Park contains T. auletes and I am hunting them!

Take care
ELias

Comment by Elias — August 1, 2008 [AT] 4:24 am

This morning in Lenoir, NC I heard both T. chloromera and T. canicularis (or T. davisi?). This is the first time I’ve heard the latter this year. If I could find a specimen I could determine whether it is canicularis or davisi.

Comment by Bob Jacobson — July 31, 2008 [AT] 4:25 pm

Just an update: my last Magicicada cassini (a female) died last week, but I still have 3 live M. septendecim males. They have been kept almost 11 weeks so far.

“‘Pharaoh’-callers, eyes so red;
But for me you’d all be dead!”

Comment by Bob Jacobson — July 30, 2008 [AT] 3:51 pm

Hello Bob,

Yes, pruinosa in the east is called winnemanna. I am confused if the species is called Tibicen pruinosa winnemanna or Tibicen winnemanna. The terminology for the annuals is very cumbersome and confusing!! I also believe there is another variant — latisfasciata. I think this is another pruinosa type. I am wondering if this exists in Western westchester county. I think Orange COunty NY had some Okanagana too. More driving for me!!

Comment by Elias — July 24, 2008 [AT] 8:16 pm

Elias, I was told by John Zyla last year that the “pruinosa-equivalent” in NC is properly named winnemanna. It has what sounds to me to be the same call as pruinosa I have heard in Nebraska and other areas.

Comment by Bob Jacobson — July 24, 2008 [AT] 2:57 pm

Annie, last year at Fort Mott State Park I heard chloromera and linnei, so you might have these in Mt. Olive, too.

Comment by Bob Jacobson — July 24, 2008 [AT] 2:54 pm

They didn’t WAKE me up this morning, but at 8:55 am I pity anyone trying to sleep in! These critters in Mt. Olive, NJ are really crankin’ it up! I remember my ex telling me (in 1980) that these NJ ones are SEVEN-year cicadas… it does fit the year??! (don’t know the species..)

Comment by Annie — July 19, 2008 [AT] 5:57 am

Here in NY hearing only T. chloromera and T. lyricen. T. linnei has not made its appearance yet and have to go further east for canicularis. Not as much fun as NC!

Comment by Elias — July 18, 2008 [AT] 10:15 pm

This past Friday night I arrived in Greensboro, NC about 7:30 PM to be treated to the “rasp…rasp..rasp” of T. robbinsoniana, the “chee-chee-chee” of T. chloromera, the “ZOO-eee, ZOO-eee, ZOO-eee” of T. winnemanna, the “zizz-zizz-zizz-zizz-zizz” of T. linnei, and the “durr-durr-durr” of T. auletes. What a nice greeting upon arrival!

Comment by Bob Jacobson — July 13, 2008 [AT] 6:45 pm

Anyone reporting T. auletes yet??
Trying to find a sound file on T. winnemanna

Comment by Elias — July 12, 2008 [AT] 8:44 pm

Just when I got used to the silence after the departure of Brood XIV, over the past 2-3 days I’m beginning to hear the sounds of Tibicen in the trees here in eastern Cincinnati. Quite a busy summer for cicadas!

Comment by Tom L — July 12, 2008 [AT] 7:34 pm

Last Sunday (July 6) I heard T. winnemanna singing in Greensboro, NC. Today I heard T. chloromera in Lenoir, NC—the first Tibicen I’ve heard here this year.

Comment by Bob Jacobson — July 10, 2008 [AT] 4:00 pm

3 — 4 T. chloromera calling in Bayside Queens every morning. Have not heard T. linnei yet. They usually appear a little later.

Comment by Elias — July 10, 2008 [AT] 3:31 am

Tibicen lyricen heard calling in New Hyde Park,New York. Summer is here!!!

Comment by Elias — July 6, 2008 [AT] 7:52 pm

Hello all,
I heard my first Tibicen linnei & Tibicen chloromera today while working on landscaping in our front yard. I also found my first annual cicada nymph tonight (probably a chloromera). Looks like the annual cicada season is getting started here in Southwest Ohio.

Comment by Roy Troutman — July 6, 2008 [AT] 7:33 pm

Hi,
I live in Utah…I have never, ever seen a cicada in Utah before. I am from NC originally and i suspected when i heard it and saw it what it was. After we looked it up on this and other websites, we are sure that it is a cicada. I dont know what kind, but we have pictures and a captured one. It has black eyes though. Not like these on your site. I dont know too much about them, except no one in Utah knows what I’m talking about. Is this Weird?

Comment by Adrienne — June 26, 2008 [AT] 7:38 pm

Hello Maria,

The one your son found may be a straggler. This means that due to an internal clock error or the young cicada’s nutritional state, some may emerge a year later than the rest.
This phenomenon is well known. Some can emerge a year early, a year later, 4 years early or 4 years later. Hope that helps. I will be looking for signs of stragglers next year here in NY.

Comment by Elias — June 26, 2008 [AT] 4:25 am

Hi,
We got hit last year with the 17-yr. cicada in the Chicagoland area. We had thousands in our yard alone. Can someone tell me why my son found one two days ago? It is EXACTLY like the ones that invaded our yard last summer???

Comment by Maria — June 22, 2008 [AT] 8:13 pm

Just spent the weekend on Cape Cod, Mass. After pulling off the highway we opened the car windows and heard this loud sound, My first thought was the fan belt was squealing,so I pulled over and shut off the motor. It turned out to be the noise from the cicadas. When we got to the cottage the noise was even louder. They do get quiet at night and start up again at sunrise. There are literally millioms of holes in the ground and the trees are covered with there shells. They fly around but are no bother to people. The seagulls seem to eat them in flight. Word is they only last a couple of weeks.

Comment by chuck — June 22, 2008 [AT] 3:59 pm

I heard it before I saw it. I live in San Jose, California. I have never seen one before but my neighbor is from Arizona and she had seen them before. My sister moved to Maryland a few years ago for the ’emerging of the cicadas’.

Comment by Eileen — June 17, 2008 [AT] 10:36 am

Parts of Long Islands N/Shore are covered. These guys are friendlier than the green ones—very social—fly right over and land on you !!!

Comment by Heather — June 15, 2008 [AT] 4:40 am

Here in Central Texas we are finding the species “Superb Green Cicada Tibicen chloromera (Walker)” doing their usual Cicada rituals. They’ve got a nice green color and are such an interesting insect to check-out up close — though I’m the only one, between my kids, who will do so! 😉 Though how the Cicadas, around here, can stand the 100 degree temp’s around here is beyond me..

Comment by Heidi — June 15, 2008 [AT] 1:48 am

RB — sounds like a species of Okanagana. There are a few and they sort of looks similar, but fit your description.

Comment by Dan — June 14, 2008 [AT] 5:11 am

Can anyone tell us what sort of cicadas we have here in Northern Nevada — they are black with red legs and red stripes on the lower abdomen, but eyes are dark and not red like periodical cicadas we have seen in books? (Apart from the eye color, they look identical). They’re just coming out now en masse — pretty amazing. Never seen them before…Would love to know what they are…

Comment by RB — June 13, 2008 [AT] 11:15 am

I was at French Park in Cincinnati on Sunday June 8th and saw a whole bunch of red-eyed cicadas coming out of their husks nad flying around. Amazing!

Comment by Natalie Galluccio — June 9, 2008 [AT] 7:59 pm

There are lots of cicadas in Lexington, Kentucky. How long will they remain above ground and noisy? Days? Weeks?

Comment by Barbara Christensen — June 9, 2008 [AT] 3:11 pm

I live in southeastern Idaho and we have some property down in Rockland outside of American Falls. We were there this weekend and were surprised to find cicadas! I lived in Maryland during the 2004 17-year Magicicada emergence. These Idaho cicadas are much different with black eyes and are a bit smaller.

Comment by Beth Watson — June 8, 2008 [AT] 10:42 pm

I live in a rural area of Pa.and the sound of the cicadas is so loud. We can’t even enjoy sitting out on our porch swing.
There is trees covered in shells and cicadas. I can’t remember seeing or hearing them this much.
And I’ve lived here for 35 years.

Comment by Yvonne — June 8, 2008 [AT] 7:37 am

I failed to mention that we are just outside of Asheville, North Carolina. Does anyone know approximately when we can expect to see the cicadas exit ?

Comment by Jeff — June 5, 2008 [AT] 7:30 pm

My wife and I worked very hard planting a large and wonderful variety of trees on our two acre property over the last three years. We had moved here from Florida, and knew nothing about the 17 year hoard of cicadas. We feel sad and powerless watching the destruction being wrought to many of the beautiful trees. Unfortunately, the Japanese beetles will arrive soon with their leaf eating rampage. Combined with the extremely hot weather, the trees will be under terrible strain.

Comment by Jeff — June 5, 2008 [AT] 7:19 pm

Here in Harrodsburg Kentucky, they are thick…..for a Californian that just moved here last year….this is more than I can handle…..the incessant buzzzing sound is driving me crazy & there is no way to escape it. They are swarming around my house…not just on the trees. I own 10 acres with woods, which is probably why it’s so bad…..I have never seen anything so horrible yet fascinating in my life

Comment by Deborah A Klinkner — June 5, 2008 [AT] 1:34 pm

Hey i want to learn more about the Tibicen chloromera — swamp cicada can any help me find more info on them all i can find is pics! slowjamcdub [AT] yahoo.com

Comment by Chris — June 1, 2008 [AT] 6:38 am

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if the Cicadas have come out in the Louisville area yet?

Comment by Karla — May 27, 2008 [AT] 7:15 am

Brood 14 running strong right up against the Smokies. Numbers diminish signifacantly as you move away from the mountains

Comment by Dan — May 26, 2008 [AT] 3:25 pm

East Tennessee is in full swing for about 9 days now. Noise is less than previous brood 14.

Comment by Dan — May 26, 2008 [AT] 3:23 pm

Cicadas are showing up here in Indian Hill, Ohio. Found them on the apple tree and the maples out front. We haven’t seen enough to be a nuisance yet, but there were many 2 years ago, whatever brood that was (not a fan of the little critters, but the homeschooled kid loves them!)

Comment by Trenton — May 26, 2008 [AT] 2:50 pm

FAIRVIEW NC MANY MANY

Comment by DANE — May 20, 2008 [AT] 8:14 am

They’ve been out here in force for about two weeks. When I woke up the other morning, I thought a tornado alarm was sounding…the woods behind our house were so loud. At first they’re interesting, but when you sweep about a hundred a day from your back deck, they become pretty gross. If I understand correctly, they’ll be around till about July. Right?

Comment by Doug Mills — May 19, 2008 [AT] 11:38 am

Phoebe is back!

Comment by Dan — May 14, 2008 [AT] 10:17 am

I heard several more cicadas yesterday evening around 6:30 PM in Sacramento, CA. They were all on one city block. I guess our annual cicadas emerge at the same time as the 17-year ones in the eastern half of the country.

Comment by Phoebe — May 14, 2008 [AT] 5:00 am

I believe I heard our first Northern California annual cicada of the season on Sunday, May 11 in Sacramento. It sounded like one of our usual Okanagana types. I have only heard one so far, but I expect the rest to start emerging in the next 2 weeks.

Comment by Phoebe — May 13, 2008 [AT] 3:55 am

A note from a cicada fan in Sydney in response to the previous 3 Aussie cicada comments. The large “black guys” from New England may be ‘cherrynoses’ (Macrotristria angularis) as these don’t emerge every year, but they are slightly smaller than double drummers (which is our largest). I remember my childhood cicada hunts and they impressed me as “larger than life” at younger ages! I have also been collecting in the NEng region over the past 10 years and haven’t found anything larger. BUT cicadaphiles have recently found new (large) species of double drummers (Thopha saccata) and cherrynoses so in this vast land, we must always be open to new possibilities for species. We had massive emergences of double drummers in coastal NSW in Nov 2006/7. The Blue Mtns west of Sydney has around 15 endemic cicada species, most small to medium, with huge numbers of “Masked Devils” (green grocer variants) emerging in October 2007 from Woodford to Blackheath- fantastic numbers.
Jodi posted some great shots of Thopha colorata on cicadamania.
Season is pretty well finished in Sydney due to unseasonally heavy Feb rains- only the usual few lonely black prince males still trying to call up a female until around Easter.
Good luck in the USA with the periodicals from May 23.

Comment by david — March 13, 2008 [AT] 2:49 pm

Hello fellow cicada lovers. Just posting this to “get the word out there” to a receptive audience.

When I was a kid I caught cicadas every summer like any other kid. In Sydney, Australia, it was mostly greengrocers, the occassional yellow monday and black prince.

But when I went on holidays to the New England area of New South Wales, one year I found MEGA cicadas — these guys were at half the size again of those I caught back home.

I didn’t think much of it except “how awesome!” and “I wish the kids in the street back home could see me with these guys!” until I came across a magazine article which illustrated the largest of many of Australia’s insect specimens. It listed the double drummer and I thought — oh, that’s a mistake; they’ve obviously forgotten about the ones I found as a kid.

Later, I came across a similar poster, this time at the Australian Museum and I thought — hang on a minute — perhaps they don’t *know* about the big ones I caught as a kid.

So I asked, and they walked me into the exhibit, pointed at a cicada and said “there — that’s as big as they get”.

I said “No. The ones I caught were half that size again.”

They said if I ever found them again to bring one back.

So that’s where it’s at. I’ve looked once since (because I rarely visit the area anymore, let alone at the right time of year) and let a few locals know to post me some if they turn up again.

Now — to the cicada fanatics — what are the odds this is an annual? Does Australia have “cyclic” cicadas (ie, don’t emerge every year)? How long would an emergence likely be?

I think I know the answer to all three questions seeing as I’m talking about a species no-one else knows about.

Oh, and from memory, they were mostly black with a few green ones. This tidbit alone might suggest I recall it all incorrectly — unless you can tell me there *are* species which emerge in two or more colour forms. (Is the yellow monday the same as the greengrocer?)

Anyway, that’s that. The trees, road and paddocks are all still there, so here’s hoping.

Cheers,

Chris.

Comment by youcantryreachingme — January 2, 2008 [AT] 1:17 am

2008 General Cicada Questions

Filed under: Brood XIV | Old Message Board — Dan @ 1:01 am

These questions come from the old General Cicada Questions message board. They are from 2008, so there is a good chance there are Magicicada Brood XIV questions interspersed. The questions and answers are in reverse order. URLs found in comments are old and likely do not work.

There are some sites on the internet detailing Thai cicadas. Additionally there is a book called Cicadas of Thailand by Bouchard, Volume I. This is the best text with multiple illustrations and a CD on Cicada calls. Hope that helped

Comment by Elias — November 21, 2008 [AT] 7:51 am

when will both cicadas come out?

Comment by tyler — November 15, 2008 [AT] 2:23 pm

Hello,
I have seen very big cicadas in Thailand recently which make sounds like very very loud sirens.
Do you know, what they are called?
I could send you a photo!
Greetings from Andrea, Germany

Comment by Andrea — November 5, 2008 [AT] 1:21 pm

Sounds like Katydids.

Comment by Dan — October 21, 2008 [AT] 8:08 am

COuld they be Katydids? Check the sounds of insects site from an earlier post of mine and listen to the calls. Hope that helps. I do not believe any cicadas in North America sing at night. A few speices will call at late dusk however.

Comment by Elias — October 21, 2008 [AT] 7:27 am

Hi!

I live in Wisconsin. I’ve been hearing strange clicking sounds coming from the trees this past summer, and they seem to last all day and into the night. I’ve not heard these clicking sounds before, so I’m curious as to what insect may be producing these noises.

Can someone tell me what i’m hearing?

Comment by Robert — October 12, 2008 [AT] 6:41 pm

Hello Mckenzie,

Do you have pictures of this cicada? Please send them to my email epb471 [AT] yahoo.com. I am not sure if you are the “librarian” or Nathan. I would like to see both specimens to help with the ID.

Here in NY we have temps 50-60′s. Katydids and crickets still singing at night albeit slowly. Cicadas are all gone.

Elias

Comment by Elias — October 6, 2008 [AT] 3:57 am

Quote:
I would think as an answer to both Librarian and Nathan that the highest likelihood is Tibicen canicularis. Click on the link for a picture and call. http://www.musicofnature.com/songsofinsects/iframes/cicadas/popup_tibicann.html
End quote

I haven’t heard this call in my backyard before…

Comment by McKenzie — September 30, 2008 [AT] 9:51 am

Wow, still hearing a lone cicada this late in the year.

Comment by McKenzie — September 30, 2008 [AT] 9:48 am

Not sure if anyone breeds or sells cicadas. They have a long subterranean life cycle and are quite difficult to rear in captivity.

Comment by Elias — September 24, 2008 [AT] 11:59 am

hey guys
just wondering where i could find a breeder/seller of cicadas in southwestern ontario

thanks
jim

Comment by JIM VLAHOS — September 23, 2008 [AT] 7:13 pm

The Tibicen species have a 2 — 9 year life cycle which has not been fully worked out yet. They are not periodical like the 17 year cicada as a brood of Tibicen emerges every year. It has been observed that some years they are more plentiful then others. This species emerges as far north as mid Canada so they are likely better able to handle the cold. You are probably seeing the end of the emergence. It is interesting that they were males because usually the females emerge most commonly later on.

Comment by Elias — September 12, 2008 [AT] 6:58 am

Thanks, Elias, this looks like what I found.

Any ideas why they emerged and molted so late in the fall? We are soon to have frost, so I don’t think that there will be time for mating, egg laying, hatching, etc.

Did these guys just miss their cycle? (they were both males).

Thanks.

Comment by Nathan — September 11, 2008 [AT] 6:42 am

I would think as an answer to both Librarian and Nathan that the highest likelihood is Tibicen canicularis. Click on the link for a picture and call. http://www.musicofnature.com/songsofinsects/iframes/cicadas/popup_tibicann.html

Comment by Elias — September 10, 2008 [AT] 9:45 am

Hello,
Yesterday my son found two very recently shed cicadas in Eastern South Dakota. They had just shed and their wings were still shriveled up and green. I didn’t know anything about them, so I have been doing some internet research. It doesn’t seem that these would be the 13 or 17 yr. species. It has been pretty cool for the last several weeks, into the 40s and 50s at nights and 60s during the day although yesterday was in the upper 70s. Any ideas as to why these emerged so late and what year they would have hatched? They are green and black like a frog and the leading edge of their wings is bright green. Thanks.

Comment by Nathan — September 10, 2008 [AT] 6:54 am

NEW YORK RANGE IDENTIFICATION

Can someone tell me what species of Tibicen would be in the Albany, NY (Niskayuna area specifically) locale?

Thanks.

Comment by Librarian — September 9, 2008 [AT] 6:06 am

Here’s a link to a story about cicadas that have landed in Buffalo!

http://buffalorising.com/story/the_cicadas_have_landed#sca

Comment by David — September 8, 2008 [AT] 1:52 pm

Greetings all:

I am looking for any information on the location of Tibicen auletes on Long Island or Staten Island, New York.
Please review this picture/call of T. auletes. They like sandy soil and oak trees and call mainly at dusk.
http://www.musicofnature.com/songsofinsects/iframes/cicadas/popup_tibiaule.html
Please tell me what town or nearby place you hear them or you can email me directly at epb471 [AT] yahoo.com. The goal is to update nearly 100 year old databases on this elusive species. Thank you!! ELIAS

Comment by Elias — September 7, 2008 [AT] 6:50 pm

Hello Darvin,

I would think that the larvae are probably the immature forms of another insect. The cicada undergoes an incomplete metamorphisis, sheds its shell and flies away. The eggs are laid in branches and they fall to the ground and burrow in. Cast of shells do not have any further role in a cicadas life cycle. I am sure in a very heavy periodical emergence, some new nymphs could by chance fall on to a cast off shell.

Take care and hope this helped
Elias

Comment by Elias — September 5, 2008 [AT] 3:04 pm

We live in Minnesota, and we have found alot of Cicada “shells” around our maple tree this summer. My daughter found two of these shells and put them in a container to take to school to show her class. After two or three days she brought them to me and said that there were worms in the shells. Sure enough — there were two small white larvae crawling out of the shell. I didn’t know that that was part of the life cycle. The next day there were larvae crawling in the second shell. Have you come across this situation before? Cicada are amazing!

Comment by Darvin Ische — September 5, 2008 [AT] 7:50 am

NEW!!! Joe Green: Tibicen resonans, Florida, 2007
The pictures here are most like the cicadas here. They’re mostly black with a little bit of green though. They’re wings are loooong and they fold behind them. They’re not as active at night as they were…my husband and I quit smoking though so we haven’t been outside much at night. We did go outside one night this past weekend and there was one still alive on the ground and one ran into the porch light and then tried to get me, another ran into the end of our house and flew above it. They sing all day here all year round. Since I moved to east Texas from south Texas I’ve heard them every day but I’ve only seen the shells left behind until I moved here to Winnsboro. There aren’t any more shells around than normal…I guess they’re just getting a bit more brave…or could clearing of the woods behind us stir them up??

Comment by Ashley — September 4, 2008 [AT] 8:57 pm

Yes, Steve, it would be very interesting to see your photos of cicadas in Israel!

Comment by Bob Jacobson — September 1, 2008 [AT] 7:37 pm

Someone told me that cicada’a in Austrailia sing at night. i saw your page that says that is generally not true. i told the person that they were hearing treetoads or crickets but not cicadas.

also i took close up photos of cicadas in israel. anyone interested?

please reply to:
listed [AT] bible.ca
Steve

Comment by steve — September 1, 2008 [AT] 6:05 pm

GREEN GROCER

JAPANESE TSUKU TSUKU BOSHI

Has anyone a recording of a green grocer cicada?

I can find many others on the web, but not that one.

Here, by the way, is a Japanese tsuku tsuku boshi cicada—>

Very distinct sound (like a bird)

PICTUE
http://pds.exblog.jp/pds/1/200508/25/90/e0038990_1641244.jpg

AND MANY MORE
http://homepage2.nifty.com/saisho/cicadasongaac_e.html

Comment by Paul Arenson — August 31, 2008 [AT] 3:37 pm

It is atypical for the nymphs to shed in the daytime. I am not sure if this leads to a higher deformity rate. Also it may have been stuck during the molting process and you found it at a later time. If the emerging portion of the cicada was black already than this was the case.
Unfortunately alot can go wrong during that final molt! Once they are stuck there is nothing that can be done to help them.

Comment by Elias — August 31, 2008 [AT] 9:18 am

Hi! This morning as I was out walking, I saw a cicada nymph in the street. It was clinging to the pavement and had begun shedding, but I didn’t want it to get run over by a car, so I picked it up and carried it to a safe spot. I know it was alive, as I could feel little spasms or jerks from its body as it tried to get the old shell off. However, it never continued shedding after that point; it died soon after. Did it die because its shedding process was disturbed? Or perhaps it had already become overheated in the morning sun when I found it? I’m sad that the lil guy didn’t make it..

Comment by Colleen S. — August 30, 2008 [AT] 4:06 pm

I wish I could send pics, but I don’t have a camera. I can say that there have been a couple that fell from a high tree and hit the roof, then fell to the ground. The others all had sufficient climbing surfaces. Many, which I forgot to mention, were almost entirely black in coloration, the darkest ones tended to have the worst wing deformation..
Thank you, by the way, for responding to my inquiries. 🙂 They are Very much appreciated!

Comment by bugwhisperer — August 28, 2008 [AT] 7:39 pm

The less choices that periodicals have in terms of vertical surfaces, the higher the deformity rate. They trample and mash each other. Somehow enough usually survive. Also if there is undergrowth the deformed males can call and mate with deformed females. I have witnessed this on several occasions.

Comment by Elias — August 28, 2008 [AT] 7:01 pm

This seems reasonable to me. One can often find deformed periodical cicadas, too.

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 28, 2008 [AT] 3:19 pm

There exists the possibility that the cicadas where injured during their shedding process. When this occurs, they may bleed (technically endolymph)and this creates dark blotches or spots. This can be seen if the nymph falls far onto a hard surface or if it is attacked by another insect/arachnid, or sometimes from other cicada nymphs trampling a shedding nymph on its way up a tree. Just a theory based on what you gave us. What does everyone else think. Please send pictures so we can see.

Comment by Elias — August 27, 2008 [AT] 4:33 am

Hi! I had no idea this website existed, this is so awesome!!! Question. I live in central Indiana and have noticed some type of epidemic with the population this year. I have found several with black spots whose wings will not fully develope, also covered in black spots. ALL of them have died. It’s almost as if their wings are stuck together. These friendly buggies are very dear to me, but I don’t know much, in fact I just saw my first attack by a ‘killer wasp’ yesterday. If anyone has an expaination I would appreciate it, because it breaks my heart everytime I find one.

Comment by bugwhisperer — August 24, 2008 [AT] 7:48 pm

That’s not true. Cicadas stop singing a dusk for the most part. Katydids and cicadas keep chirping into the night.

Comment by Dan — August 23, 2008 [AT] 8:35 pm

My sister swears that the cicadas stop singing at 2AM. Is that true? If yes, why?

Comment by Kathleen — August 23, 2008 [AT] 6:08 pm

Hello Cress,

I am postive the cicada killer venom lasts for the remaining life of the cicada. I have collected many specimens by gently tugging them away from female cicada killers when they are making their final approach to the burrow. I have never been stung in the process. All of my specimens never “woke up”. They will last approximately 5 — 8 days which is the lifespan of the cicada killer larva. If the cicada dies and spoils, so does the larva. Unfortunately, your friend wont come out of it, and I do not believe a known antidote has been developed.

I am also a huge admirer of Tibicen chloromera!

Comment by Elias — August 23, 2008 [AT] 6:14 am

Hey everyone,

I’m a *HUGE* fan of tibicen chloromera, I think of them as good friends. So imagine my shock and horror when I heard the sound of a distressed male as he landed to the ground being attacked by a cicada killer! I get that they’re beneficial and all but I took this as my one chance of being a cicada hero. I got the killer to leave without much effort and gently scooped my friend up to take home. He’s definitely paralyzed and has been chilling here for the better part of 6 hours. Concerned he was in pain and I was prolonging release I searched cicada killer venom to find it shouldn’t cause pain. But I can’t find any source that tells me how long the venom remains effective. Does anyone know how long my friend will be stuck like this?

Comment by Cress — August 22, 2008 [AT] 12:32 pm

Hello Mar,
Not much we can do except preserve woodlands and neighborhood trees. They are more often heard then seen so it will take a little diligence to find them. Trying to find a nymph at night and watching it emerge from its “shell” is the easiest way to acquire specimens. Good luck
Elias

Comment by Elias — August 22, 2008 [AT] 4:21 am

Hi, this is an awesome site!
I have Cicada singing in my garden, but, and I’m embarrassed to admit this, I can only find one so far to look at! (In the maple tree)
I have seen two Cicada killer wasps (I think; they’re large solitary wasps) they are pleasant, (like the Euro paper wasps who nest in the window well) and curious, (there might be more than two, but honestly the markings seem like the same two) but so far I haven’t seen any predation. I know it’s nature and the wasps have to eat, honestly I’m glad. Is there anything I can do that would help the Cicada (and his friends I can’t find) in my garden?

Comment by Mar — August 19, 2008 [AT] 6:52 pm

Does anyone out there collect cicadas, or is anyone interested in exchanging specimens? I’m trying to build a representative collection of as many different species as I can. Even specimens found dead on the ground would be of interest. (Ashley, I’d love to see what kinds are pestering you in Texas!)

I’m particularly interested in such species as Tibicen texana, robbinsoniana, similaris, resh, resonans, superba, figurata, bifidus and cultriformis, but they are all of interest, including other genera such as Okanagana and Diceroprocta. I’ll gladly pay postage for reasonably intact dead cicadas anyone is willing to send.

Thanks,

Bob Jacobson
jacobsonbob [AT] yahoo.com

Comment by Bob Jacobson — August 19, 2008 [AT] 4:18 pm

2 general questions, has anyone in New York heard T. auletes. I hear they are present in Staten Island and have confirmed them calling in Wading River (not large population however).

Second — anyone in NY seeing first instar Magicicada yet?

Comment by Elias — August 18, 2008 [AT] 4:03 am

Glad that worked out Ashley. It is strange for them to move around at night. They might have been freshly emerged from dusk and decided to take flight. The explanations are countless. Look forward to a picture and video this “bug dance” so all member could see a unique human — bug intereraction — ha ha! Keep us posted, and enjoy your weekend!
Elias

Comment by Elias — August 16, 2008 [AT] 4:15 am

Hello Elias,

I’m not scared of them persay, just don’t like bugs at all! I havent seen any in about a week so I think we may be fine. I still hear them in the trees. They just don’t come flying at us at night anymore. Thanks for your help! If I see one again I’ll try to take a picture of it while I’m dancing around doing the “bug dance”. 🙂

Comment by Ashley — August 15, 2008 [AT] 9:14 pm

Hello Ashley,

They fly randomly and will zig zag during their course. Nothing attracts them from a scent based perspective. Some cicadas are attracted to very bright lights at night, which is not your case.
You may just be experiencing a strong emergence which makes your probability of meeting them in flight much higher than average. When I saw the periodicals, I had 6 land on me at once. They are harmless and will not bite or sting you. The males will make a loud, screeching “alarm squawk”. Please send a picture if you can. Hope this helps. Knowledge always reduces fear 🙂

Comment by Elias — August 15, 2008 [AT] 8:43 am

Elias,

I just need to know what they’re attracted to so that I can minus that factor out and hopefully they won’t come get me! lol For some reason I just can’t stand the bugs!! When my husband had it’s wing, it had like a screaching, screaming kind of a sound.

Comment by Ashley — August 14, 2008 [AT] 9:34 pm

Hello Ashley,

Please do not murder the cicadas. They are harmless! You may be experiencing a particularly strong emergence. Can you describe the call they make. Also if you could send a picture to the site it would be interesting. Thanks and good luck

Comment by Elias — August 14, 2008 [AT] 4:29 pm

I live in east Texas, about 2 hours east of Dallas. I’m positive their cicadas. Everyone here calls them locust which I looked up and locust are actually like grasshopper things. I’m not sure why, but they’re definately cicadas. They look exactly like the pictures and they leave the little shells everywhere. They don’t necesarily “attack” me, they just fly into me a million times before they hit the ground. I’ve never in my life seen so many of these things!!! We were sitting outside this past weekend for about 2 hrs and my husband killed 6 of them! They make that awful clicking sound thing and everything. 🙁 They freak me out!

Comment by Ashley — August 14, 2008 [AT] 9:46 am

Ashley — what state do you live in and are you sure these are cicadas??? They rarely move about at night.

Comment by Elias — August 12, 2008 [AT] 7:33 pm

I have a million cicadas at my house and they “attack” me at night when I’m sitting outside. What are these horrible disgusting things attracted to?????? Is there any way that I can keep them away from me???? Help PLEASE!!!

Comment by Ashley — August 12, 2008 [AT] 1:21 pm

The drought probably is affecting them. Also some sepcies are proto periodical, meaning they experience larger numbers in some years as compared to others. Okanagana rimosa is known to have 4 year variations in emergence numbers. I hope they come soon. Last summer was like that here in NY. The numbers of the annual species were quite weak because of unusually cold weather we had.

Comment by Elias — August 7, 2008 [AT] 8:09 pm

I always look forward to the cicada’s song this time of year. It’s a sign of the changing seasons. However, this year, I have not heard it’s song?!! I live in South Minneapolis, MN. We are currently in a modest drought and I’m wondering if this may be the cause of the silence.

Comment by Jeanne — August 7, 2008 [AT] 5:26 pm

Hello Jo

Cicada Killers are large wasps that are actually quite harmless. You are probably on a lek which is a cicada killer colony. They will not bother you and only the females can sting. They will sting only if grabbed. I would be interested in seeing the cicada killer sites if you are inclined to tell me. I live in Queens county and am studying cicadas on Long Island. They bring in members of the local species and specimens can be taken for study.
They can paint a better picture of what species live in your area. As far as exterminating them, most exterminators do not have a good solution as each digs a burrow and they solitary. Hope this helps. Email epb471 [AT] yahoo.com if I can check out this colony. Thanks!

Comment by Elias — August 6, 2008 [AT] 4:36 pm

We are having a problem in Smithtown, NY with killer cicadas. They are ruining my lawn and my neighbors lawn. Who do I call about this nuisance?

Comment by Jo — August 6, 2008 [AT] 3:44 pm

Dan, Thanks for your help. I haven’t seen what ever it is making the noise just heard it. It was driving me nuts as I didn’t think cicada were to be found this far west. Again, thanks for you help.

Comment by Janice — August 4, 2008 [AT] 9:39 pm

Cicadas are definitely found in California. Locusts by the way are grasshoppers — not cicadas. People mistakenly call cicadas “locusts”, but they are not the same insect. This is a picture of a locust https://www.cicadamania.com/cicadas/2007/03/18/when-is-a-locust-not-a-locust/

Here’s an example of a cicada from California: https://www.cicadamania.com/cicadas/2006/06/02/okanagana-rimosa-from-carlsbad-ca/

Comment by Dan — August 4, 2008 [AT] 7:24 pm

Can anyone tell me if Cicadas or locust are found in California (norhtern Los Angeles area to be exact)? This summer I have been hearing a sound that that is very similar to the sounds I would hear growing up in SouthWest Louisiana during the summer…which were always Locust. I can’t recall hearing it previous to now in the five years I have lived here.

Comment by Janice — August 4, 2008 [AT] 3:24 pm

Hi, does anyone here have specimens of magicicada, they are willing to trade?

you can write me at:
c_raynault at hotmail.com
of course replace the at by [AT] .

I have been looking for specimens for a while. I Can’t find any. Only 2 dryed would do the thing but I can take more.

I prefer specimens in good conditions with their collecting data.
I am willing to do both buying and exchnaging.

Comment by jarl — August 4, 2008 [AT] 6:04 am

http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/fauna/Michigan_Cicadas/Michigan/Index.html

This should come out better. I meant to say “PINCH” not “pich”

Comment by Elias — August 1, 2008 [AT] 3:37 pm

Hello Blaine.

Cicadas do not sting. The only time it may “pich” you if you let it rest on your hand for a long time and it will try to feed on your finger with its beak thinking you are a tree branch! They do not mean to do this.

Perfect site to ID your cicada is Cicadas of Michigan.http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/fauna/Michigan_Cicadas/Michigan/Index.html

Hope that helps,
Elias

Comment by Elias — August 1, 2008 [AT] 3:36 pm

Hi, I am new to the Cicada craze, but I have always been intrigued by insects and spiders. Today, I found a Cicada of the following description laying on the ground on its back motionless. When I tried to pick it up, it started buzzing. It has one torn large wing on its back. The underbelly is mostly white, with a large set of bumps on the front two legs. The top of the Cicada is a dark army green. The wings are also army green. OOOH, I let it out of its bottle and it lifted its rear and a stream of clearliquid squirted out. I have been handling it a lot, so it must be a male as I wasn’t stung at all. Bay City, Michigan 48708

Comment by BUGMAN BLAINE — July 31, 2008 [AT] 12:00 pm

Yes Cathy they look the same because they’re the same species.

Yes they broods are based on the years they emerge.

All this information is in the FAQs, throughout the site, or other cicada sites.

If you want good books, look at the books section along the left side of the homepage.

Comment by Dan — July 31, 2008 [AT] 4:11 am

In addition, the sounds of insects site that Elias recommended in his post on July 23 is really good. I heard a zapping sound tonight and I located it on that site as a kaydid, of which I have found several in my yard. I’ve also been hearing a really annoying sound and I found that one also on that site — it was listed as a type of cricket.

Comment by Cathy — July 30, 2008 [AT] 10:47 pm

I just looked at the pictures of Brood X and Brood XIII. They look exactly like Brood XIV. Are they named different broods because of the different years that they emerged or because of the different places they emerged? If so, what happened to Brood XI and Brood XII? This may be a silly question but I’m really curious — how do they determine what brood they are going to call it and, if there are differences in the broods — what are they? Also, I teach first grade and when I showed my students on the computer back in May and June the cicadas they were totally fascinated by them. Does anyone know of any good sites for teachers that would list books, videos, games, activities relating to cicadas — and for that matter, insects in general? Thanks for any info you can possibly give me. Cathy

Comment by Cathy — July 30, 2008 [AT] 10:39 pm

Hello Cathy,

You are definitely getting braver. Cicada killers are very docile despite their fierce appearance. Female cicada killers (generally much larger than the males) can deliver a sting if grabbed. Males (generally smaller) are incapable of stinging. In addition to size, the female has larger spurs on the hind legs. You can actually collect cicadas from a cicada killer by placing a stick into its burrow. When a female returns with a cicada, it cannot get in. The technique is to grab the cicada by its wings and pull quickly parallel to the ground. You asked…. LOL!

Comment by Elias — July 30, 2008 [AT] 10:21 am

I almost caught a cicada killer. I held it down with the skimmer pole net for a few minutes. But when I went to slip a container under it for it to go into, it escaped. Do these things sting you? If I am able to catch one, I’ll save it for you Elias.

Comment by Cathy — July 30, 2008 [AT] 9:22 am

Quick update — TIBICEN AULETES has been located. I think the last T. auletes updates were from Davis himself between 1917 — 1026. Wildwood state park in Wading River, eastern Long Island, between 8:05 — 8:30PM, admist an incredibly loud T. lyricen chorus, I heard T. auletes for the first time. I caught a nymph too but I think it will turn out to be lyricen. (dark eyes, medium sized). Anyone know if T. auletes prefers a certain tree to feed on as nymphs?? More to follow…..
P.S. Cathy, nice to finally meet you today. Welcome to the cicada enthusiast world!!

Comment by Elias — July 29, 2008 [AT] 8:51 pm

Hello Edward,

I checked the http://www.thaibugs.com/cicadas.htm site and the sound files dont work, but the pictures are still fantastic. Here are some sites that may help:

Thai cicadas at sunset.

Best site here: Songs of South East Asian Cicadas. Mostly Malaysian which is geographically close:
http://www2.arnes.si/~ljprirodm3/asian_cicadas.html

Best for Thai cicadas only is Michel Boulard’s Book http://www.selectbooks.com.sg/getTitle.cfm?SBNum=41772

It has a CD on all the acoustic characteristics of Thai Cicadas.

Hope that helps. Tot Ziens!!

Elias

Comment by Elias — July 29, 2008 [AT] 8:46 pm

L.S.,

I thought that there was a file of the singing of a tibicen out of Thailand. Very loud. Can not find it now. Were is it?

Regards

Edward Koldewijn
Amsterdam

Comment by edward koldewijn — July 29, 2008 [AT] 11:11 am

Just drove out to Riverhead and made my way west looking for signs of T. auletes. Heard T. lyricen and T. linnei call. Maybe its to early for auletes here, not sure.

I went back to Lilco Road where I thought I heard Okanagana and I heard the same noise. I thnk I was duped by the power lines. This was most likely not Okanagana.

In response to Cathy’s post, drove by Brookhaven (William Floyd Parkway) and the flagging is unbelievable. This was one of the densest emergences on Long island. Looking forward to seeing first instars soon.

Tomorrow should be warm and I am off from work. Lets see what we can find….

Comment by Elias — July 28, 2008 [AT] 8:47 pm

wcbstv.com also has an article and a video, both dated June 12th about the cicadas here in my town of Coram. They’re interviewing on the intersection of Penniquid and Winside Lane which is where I live. Although I didn’t see any cicadas on Penniquid — just on Winside. It’s a cool video — you can see them flying around and they’re even on the reporter and on her microphone.

Comment by Cathy — July 28, 2008 [AT] 6:27 pm

News12 Long Island did a segment tonight that included a representative from Brookhaven Labs and interviews with people from Ridge, Long Island about the tree damage from the cicadas in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Comment by Cathy — July 28, 2008 [AT] 6:20 pm

I found a light green bug on my patio table this morning. It was about the size of the cicada and the same thickness. It was laying on its side. A closer look showed long legs and two long what looked like antennas coming out of its head. I guess it was a praying mantis. Whatever it was, it was apparently dead because when I picked it up to put it in a container it didn’t move. On another note, I just looked up cicada killers. Those black and yellow markings are unforgetable. I have definitely seen one or two of them this summer.

Comment by Cathy — July 28, 2008 [AT] 6:44 am

Have snapped a photo of a cicada found floating in our pool last night. He’s worse for wear today. Can you ID what he is? The songs seem fainter tonight, though it is less hot & humid in SE Ohio today. Thanks!

Search photobucket for Cicada 1 and Cicada 2 and Cicada 3 which is a smaller cropped version of 1.

http://www.photobucket.com thanks

Comment by Kirk G — July 27, 2008 [AT] 5:56 pm

Hello all,

In my travels out to Riverhead and Wading river searching for T. auletes I think I may have stumbled upon Okanagana rimosa. It was calling along with T. linnei and T. lyricen. I did not know LI was in their range. More research will follow. Good night.

Comment by Elias — July 26, 2008 [AT] 10:44 pm

Hello Cathy,

Sound like a Tibicen cicada that you have seen. May be traveling out east to find some different species. The object of my search is Tibicen auletes. Here is a link to what the cicada looks like and you can hear its song. If anyone on LI hears this particular species, which usually calls at dusk, please respond.
http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/projects/cicada/sp_pages/NA_species/T_auletes.html

The closest I got was a huge nymphal shell (exuvia) that I found last year in Wading River.

Take care and see you soon
Elias

Comment by Elias — July 26, 2008 [AT] 5:56 am

One other thing — the belly of the newly emerged cicada I saw was bigger and rounder than that of the magicicada.

Comment by Cathy — July 25, 2008 [AT] 7:21 am

Hi Elias — I just heard them for a minute and then they stopped. Yesterday, a few hours after the rain finally stopped — at about 5:00 they started calling. The good thing is that its not a continuous all day thing like before. If you’d like to take some samples off of the tree leaves, email me and I’ll give you my address so you can stop by in your travels — cath1106 [AT] optonline.net

Comment by Cathy — July 25, 2008 [AT] 6:34 am

Hello Cathy,

That may be preying mantis. The young as well as the older mantids will hold there two front legs up in that characteristic “praying” position. They can also be katydids or young walking sticks. Please post a picture.

Periodical cicada nymph shells (exuvia) are lighter and more elongated than the annual variety (Tibicen). The annual ones are usually a little larger, squatter and darker tan in color.

I wonder if you hear the Dusk calling cicada (Tibicen Auletes). They call just before dusk with a very distinctive low pitched call. Please tell me what you hear. I am ready for a field trip this Saturday 🙂

Comment by Elias — July 24, 2008 [AT] 8:12 pm

OK—I’m getting a little braver here! I went to the tree where the leaves all turned brown from the magicicadas hanging out there. I saw about 10 shells hanging onto a few of the green leaves left. They are definitely not left over shells from the magicicadas. I have those by my fence and in the grass and those are all dried out. These are definitely new ones waiting to emerge. I’ll let you know if they’re bright light green like the one I found the other day.

Comment by Cathy — July 24, 2008 [AT] 2:11 pm

Come to think of it, I’ve been finding over the past week little green skinny insects in my pool skimmer and last night on my patio table there was a large (maybe3 to 4 inches) skinny green insect with long legs. Are those preying mantis or something else?

Comment by Cathy — July 24, 2008 [AT] 12:39 pm

Hi Elias — I can’t find the picture on the japanese site I found the other day. But, if you go to Cicada Mania Links, under Tibicen #2 Annual Cicadas of Arkansas and scroll down to the the picture of the bright, light green tibicen aulete newly emerged it looked like that. Also, under Cicada Mania Gallery by North America #8 Dan’s 2005 Tibicen Gallery if you scroll down to the bright light green one — that looks like it also. The one on my patio had that bright light green all over its body. If I knew you were going to be in the area I would have caught it and saved it. That day I also heard them. They were loud like the magicicadas but it wasn’t continuous. There were periods of silence. That was the only one I saw. The fact that we’ve been having torential rains the past two days might have something to do with it.

Comment by Cathy — July 24, 2008 [AT] 12:23 pm

Hello Cathy,

I am curious as to what type of cicadas you are seeing. Out in Coram you should have Tibicen lyricen and Tibicen canicularis. They have a whining call. Tibicen linnei and chloromera have an alternaitng call.

I am very interested in finding Tibicen auletes, the Northern Dusk calling cicada. I have data to suggest they are found in Coram (from 1926, hoever!) I will be making a trip out to your town possibly this weekend. I will also try to hit Farmingville, Selden, Wading River and Riverhead.

Please go to this website and play the calls for the various cicada speices. You can see their pictures too.

http://www.musicofnature.com/songsofinsects/iframes/specieslist.html

These cicadas are very loud, but emerge in much smaller numbers so the biblical swarms are over for you 🙂 Please tell me what you find.

Comment by Elias — July 23, 2008 [AT] 8:21 pm

Now that I’m aware of it, I’m hearing the sounds of them also but so far I’m not seeing masses of them like before…and I hope I don’t.

Comment by Cathy — July 22, 2008 [AT] 10:10 am

Oh my God!! I just looked up the japanese cicada and the pictures look exactly like what was on my patio. Am I going to have my fences covered with these things again and have them all over my grass again? I don’t think I can take another round of this.

Comment by Cathy — July 22, 2008 [AT] 9:54 am

Cathy — a different type yes, but they emerge in comparatively small numbers.

Zolton — that’s a Japanese cicada called a Cryptotympana yayeyamana.

Comment by Dan — July 22, 2008 [AT] 9:43 am

I just noticed on my patio today what looked very similiar to the cicadas that finally went away several weeks ago. This one was on its back and had a hint of green to it though. Not far away from it was the same kind of shell that the other cicadas came out of. Please tell me that we’re not in for another round of a different type!!!!

Comment by Cathy — July 22, 2008 [AT] 9:24 am

Hi everyone. I’m currently making a game with a heavy focus on the environment and am collecting sound effects for it.

Could someone identify the cicada in this video?

I love that lawn sprinkler sound they make and need to have that in my game. Thanks.

Comment by Zolton — July 11, 2008 [AT] 3:55 pm

Hello Cathy,

I was involved with the University of Conn. mapping project here in LI. I drove all across L.I. looking for these things.As I drove through Coram on 6/10/08, heard them on Wedgewood Drive, Wycomb Court,Wellsley Lane and Welling way. Also saw them in ManorvRidge, Brookhaven, Coram, Dix Hills, East Setauket and saw some dense emergences in Port Jeff as well. The emergence was very patchy. Reading through literature on LI cicadas they have traditionally been very patchy. You could drive a few blocks down and there is NOTHING! Then go back the other way and there is a deafening chorus. Definitely weird. I could see lots of people in Coram probably wondering what the excitement was about if there were not in that exact area. Down Pinnaquid, I saw absolutely nothing until I hit your part of the street.

Comment by Elias — July 8, 2008 [AT] 6:31 am

Hi Elias — Pinnaquid — so you do know the area! I’m on Winside and Winside was covered with those cicadas from where Winside begins by Wedgewood all the way down to the end of Winside. It was strange that they weren’t all over Coram. Port Jefferson also reported one street that had them. Other than that, I hadn’t heard of any other close by areas like Selden or Medford having any. Cathy

Comment by Cathy — July 4, 2008 [AT] 7:52 pm

Hello Cathy,

Thanks for writing back. I was also in Newsday regarding the cicadas. The article regarding Coram came out a few days later! I made a trip to your town but did not see the massive numbers reported. Also only a few blocks had some decent chorusing. It was strange how patchy the emergence was. One block would have nothing and another block would be covered! I was on the legendary Pinnaquid road for a while. It sounds like they have survived by you and we should see them again in 2025! Take care
Elias

Comment by Elias — July 4, 2008 [AT] 5:50 am

Hi Elias — The cicadas were in my town of Coram. We made the pages of Newsday as my street was covered with them.

Comment by Cathy — July 2, 2008 [AT] 7:25 pm

Here’s an update (Yes we do have a life, but this is the highlight of my daughter’s life right now!):
Our cicada nymph is balanced on just it’s two front legs that look like claws. All four of the longer legs are sticking straight out. Is it dead? Is it molting? Is is contemplating its future? How long do you think it will be before we know the answers to these burning questions? Daughter and I got to watch a cicada molt last Summer whilst it was stuck to a tree, so I know that the process of molting is a long, long, one. Just curious to know, if it is dead, when to know for sure so I can dispose of it properly. Thanks!! Great website, BTW!!!
Vicki

Comment by Vicki — July 1, 2008 [AT] 7:14 pm

Thanks for the reply! We have had the little fella in a plastic bug house that has screen on the two long sides. He’s been hanging out on about a 4" piece of tree bark that we placed in there too. He’s moving around here and there, not too much. Unfortunately, it appears that he has an injured or deformed back RT “leg” (don’t know cicada nymph anatomy) b/c it is staying bent and moving very little while he moves the other legs freely. He occasionally falls over on his back, in the direction of the bent leg. Thoughts??

Comment by Vicki — July 1, 2008 [AT] 1:55 pm

Vicki — keep it in warm place, but not in direct sunlight. A good idea is to put some netting around a branch (so birds can’t get it) and place it in there. If you can’t do that, place a branch in the cage for it to climb.

Comment by Dan — July 1, 2008 [AT] 12:20 pm

Vicki again… did more poking around on your website and learned that it was the nymph that we discovered, not the larva. It appears to be getting ready to molt.

Anyway, same question applies: Anything we can do to facilitate the molting process?
Thanks!

Comment by Vicki — July 1, 2008 [AT] 9:40 am

My daughter and I found a cicada still in its shell (is that a larva?)and brought it home to watch it move around, presumably getting ready to “hatch.” We placed in daughter’s well ventilated bug house and sat it on a piece of bark for it to stick to. Anything we can do to ease its transition into adulthood? It keeps falling upside down off the bark we placed in there for it, and daughter goes in and rights it.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!

Comment by Vicki — July 1, 2008 [AT] 9:28 am

I found what I believe is a Cicada. I let it crawl around my hands my orange cat found it but wasn’t sure what to make of it. It was bright green wings and more tan body than dark like most of the pictures on the web. I placed it in the bushes for safety and turn my head for a second. My new kitten came from nowhere and eat its wings but didn’t kill it. I put it in a wood pile for safety. will the wings grow back or is it doomed?

Comment by Greg — June 30, 2008 [AT] 5:29 pm

Hello Cathy,

What town did you observe the cicadas in? (Long Island)

Elias

Comment by Elias — June 27, 2008 [AT] 3:08 pm

I was outside of Big Bear California this past weekend and we saw (and heard) many cicadas flying around (one guy who didn’t know what they were named them orange lined bird bugs). One landed on me and began to walk around a bit while a friend took photos. After a few moments of walking around, I saw the mouth part come down and I felt a mild twinge of pain. But cicadas don’t bite! Well, I took some time to research more (which led me here) and I found a site that says “Basically, periodical cicadas can hurt you only if they mistake you for a tree branch and try to feed, something that can happen only if you hold a cicada in your hand for a very long time (eventually this makes the cicada hot and thirsty). Such rare mistakes feel like a brief pinprick and cause no damage.” I have to say that this guy was not on my hand for a very long time. Obviously I’m fine. We found the insect again after my involuntary hand flick of surprise and saw that the abdomen was gaping open in two place an we could see inside. Perhaps from a bird? Anyway, the point of all this is, here is a photo of a cicada trying to tap into human skin, taken an instant before I shook it off. http://www.xterrawolf.com/images/driversed/driving02.jpg

Comment by Vantid — June 26, 2008 [AT] 7:43 pm

I would keep an eye on them. Even though they seem to have taken a beating, I’d bet they will bounce back. I have seen some small trees really badly damaged last June, but seems they came back this spring.

Not much you can do about them though. Hope for the best. Check my website seventeenyearcicada.com for some images of trees that took the hit.

Comment by John — June 25, 2008 [AT] 9:48 pm

I figured that the cicadas would instinctively avoid killing trees, but that didn’t happen in my case. If there was ever a situation where Cicadas have infested anything, it’s right here at my house. Five of my trees were nearly completely shredded by the females. All of my these were maple trees. My cherry, apple, and pear trees will probably survive with only damage to the top third of the trees. One of my dogwood trees also took a beating.

Comment by Leslie — June 25, 2008 [AT] 4:18 am

The cicadas don’t generally kill trees…you should understand they lay eggs so that the next brood will survive, and a dead tree won’t help their cause. Somehow, they KNOW this and control their egg laying to minimize tree limb damage. By next season, the trees will have recovered just fine. They will last maybe four or five weeks and then be gone completely. Just enjoy them…they don’t bite and don’t do anything except make noise and mate.

Comment by John — June 24, 2008 [AT] 7:57 pm

I planted a regular cherry tree and a weeping cherry tree the last week of April. The cicadas came around May 18. I couldn’t figure out why the regular cherry tree hasn’t bloomed somewhat — just a couple of brown leaves on top. The weeping cherry was doing good until I noticed a few days ago that all of its leaves were turning brown along with the old trees near it. I snipped the branches of the regular cherry tree to see if there was any life in them but there’s not. Should I get rid of it or wait it out? If the weeping cherry was doing good until now, is it still worth holding onto?

Comment by Cathy — June 21, 2008 [AT] 7:42 am

The female cicadas have killed the tops of all of my small trees. My trees have hundreds of half-inch rips in the branches where they deposited their eggs. The tops have all turned brown and broken off. I had about 10 5 to 8 foot trees. Now they are about 3 to 5 feet tall. I know it’s too late now, but what could I have done to prevent this? I occasionally walked around and shook the cicadas off the trees, but I couldn’t do that all the time.

Comment by Leslie — June 20, 2008 [AT] 4:45 am

I came home yesterday to quiet. Not a single cicada was flying. It’s been exactly one month since the invasion hit my block here on Long Island, New York. Now I just have the clean up — wings, shells, and dead cicadas. I can say without a doubt — I SURVIVED A CIRCADA INVASION!

Comment by Cathy — June 18, 2008 [AT] 6:18 pm

How can i keep them from flying on me? Wgat do they avoid…try to stay away from?

Comment by DB — June 10, 2008 [AT] 7:59 pm

I think the cicadas are awesome to listen to. I am fearful however of them getting on me. Do they bite? I can rest easier if I know that they do not bite.

Comment by christy — June 9, 2008 [AT] 10:45 am

We live in Central PA around Huntingdon, we have so many cicada’s that my daughter and I can not go outside because of the loud high-pitch sounds they are making. How long will they continue their singing? I loved to sit outside to hear all the beautiful birds chirping, but can’t hear them because of the loud noise of these cicada’s. We drown out the sound of the cicada’s with our air conditioner. P.S. My husband doesn’t mind the sound!

Comment by Donna Brubaker — June 8, 2008 [AT] 4:29 pm

Deb — I’ve called 6 exterminating places. They all said there was nothing they could do. One said you needed a special license and I should call a lawn care place. I called 2 of them. I got the same response — there’s nothing they can do that will control or eliminate them. I’ve sprayed the ones on my front porch with bug spray (which does work) just so I can get out the door.

Comment by Cathy — June 7, 2008 [AT] 7:54 pm

My pool is surrounded on 3 sides by woods — which are INFESTED with these brood 14 noise-makers! I can hardly keep up with keeping the pool filters clear — is there any way to get rid of them (e.g., spray, noise, etc.)? I can’t imagine dealing with these for another 3-4 weeks….

Comment by Deb Hileman — June 7, 2008 [AT] 4:30 pm

My husband was at our local hardware store, and heard it mentioned that cicadas eat gypsy moth catapillars. Of course the adult cicada doesn’t, but I was wondering if the juveniles eat them. Is there any truth to this at all? I live in Bellefonte, PA and the gypsy moth catapillars were descending upon/munching on our trees about 3 weeks before a VERY LARGE brood of cicadas emerged. I know the emergence of the brood isn’t related to the gypsy moth. Any info is greatly appreciated!

Comment by Leslie — June 7, 2008 [AT] 3:22 pm

From my understanding, cicadas make holes in branches to lay their eggs. I have cicadas that have moved onto the posts around my above ground swimming pool. Are they or will they make holes in the metal of the posts and destroy my swimming pool?

Comment by Cathy — June 7, 2008 [AT] 7:45 am

Diane — depending on how hot and dry it is, it should take 3 to 7 days for the males to sing.

Comment by Dan — June 3, 2008 [AT] 9:08 am

They arrived here in my backyard on Long Island (Suffolk County) about a week ago. My dog was bringing them in — about one a day. I decided to look around and see what he was eating and where he was getting them from. There were hundreds on my fence, in the trees, in the grass. I called five exterminating companies but they said there was nothing that could be done — just wait it out. I can understand the fascination with them but they’re still disgusting when there’s so many of them in one place!

Comment by Cathy — June 1, 2008 [AT] 10:08 am

Diane — they should be chorusing in a week.

Tina — the chorusing should end within 3 to 4 weeks.

Josh — maybe not 17 year cicadas, but there are many annual cicadas emerging in Georgia.

Scared-y-cat — they should be emerging now (5/18).

Mary — the cicadas are definitely less noisy in the evening, but they will continue to make noise if there’s a light source.

Comment by Dan — May 18, 2008 [AT] 6:42 am

When will they go away. The noise at my house is killing my ears and head. I seem to be the only one in my family affected by the sound. My kids love to find and carry them around. I don’t mind them, but the noise is awful.

Comment by Tina — May 17, 2008 [AT] 11:05 am

The Cicadas have arrived in our trees. We are 30 miles northwest of Nashville, TN. They seem to like our sycamore trees. So far, they are drying out. No noise yet. It looks like a pretty good crop of them. Does anyone know how long it takes from coming out of their shell to singing their “songs”?

Comment by Diane — May 16, 2008 [AT] 4:03 pm

I just moved from the west coast to Statham, GA (a small town between Atlanta and Athens, Georgia, It didn’t look like from the map that the cicadas would reach this far south, will I see any cicadas this summer?

Comment by Josh — May 16, 2008 [AT] 7:37 am

Does anyone know if this brood is to invade Nashville, TN. I can’t tell, from the map. Thanks.

Comment by scared-y-cat — May 7, 2008 [AT] 1:29 pm

We’re planning a graduation for my niece and would like to know if cicadas are less active in the evening — especially Brood XIV — which are already emerging at my sister’s house in Loveland OH.

Comment by Mary — May 7, 2008 [AT] 7:42 am

July 25, 2008

2008 Magicicada Sightings – Brood XIV

Filed under: Brood XIV | Magicicada | Old Message Board | Periodical — Dan @ 1:40 pm

This page represents 274 sightings, comments and questions from the 2008 Brood XIV emergence. It’s a good resource for locations and details about what a cicada emergence is like. The next Brood XIV emergence is 2025. You’ll find plenty of comments by cicada enthusiasts and experts like Elias Bonaros, Roy Troutman, Bob Jacobson and Dave Marshall.

I am fairly new to N.E. Texas (Jacksonville—Cherokee County). I went out by the swimming pool and cold drink machine at 1:30am on July 23rd, and I heard a LOUD EERIEE sound. Something landed on my shirt, and SCREAMED like a siren. My wife said when I came in, that it was a Cecada….All I know is that it really startled me. It was still on my shirt. I’m a big guy, but i thought it was from outerspace….ha ha. I live on E. Loop 456 on East side of Jacksonville…about 2 miles from center of town.

Comment by Thomas — July 25, 2008 [AT] 10:42 am

Our part of Cape Cod (East Falmouth) also looks a bit like an early Autumn from the aftermath of the cicadas. See this article in the Cape Cod Times https://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080722/NEWS/807220318

Comment by Laura Tutino — July 24, 2008 [AT] 8:08 am

Hello Dan,

I just visited Dix Hills this weekend to see if I could locate some first instar nymphs. THe emergence here was nearly over after fathers day because the predation from birds was so severe. Some oviposiitng did occur into scrub oaks and small aspen trees and I will be watching these closely. I will search again this weekend.

As far as flagging, I looked for it in Brookhaven. It was impressive here. Looked like an early Autumn. May look for first instars here as it was one of the best emergences on Long Island. Wish I knew about this site earlier and have to thank John Cooley for the tip. According to a Chris Simon paper, Brood I, II, VI, X and XIV can be found in Brookhaven!

Further infromation to follow.

Comment by Elias — July 23, 2008 [AT] 8:14 pm

“Folks — any new cicadas you find at this point aren’t Magicicada, they’re other species like Tibicen. If you want an id, email us a photo.”

While I have Tibicen in my area, there are still straggler Magicicada’s here. The song is definitely different and they look exactly like what I saw a month ago. So I suspect that some of these do not get the “general” alarm right and come out later. There is not a lot of them, but I do hear th occasional song.

Comment by Ken — July 23, 2008 [AT] 2:36 pm

Elias: how was the flagging in L.I. — not too bad, right? Have you observed any hatchlings yet?

Comment by Dan — July 22, 2008 [AT] 9:45 am

Folks — any new cicadas you find at this point aren’t Magicicada, they’re other species like Tibicen. If you want an id, email us a photo.

Comment by Dan — July 22, 2008 [AT] 9:44 am

OH yes,
I’ve been surprised at the number of broken twigs we have hanging from our lilac bushes and other trees in the area, and I thought I had pruned them all off…
and now I realize that it is flagging as the cicada must have been digging/slitting them and doing their thing! Arrrgghhh! I wish the singing would stop. I haven’t heard this since 1999 and the bad Brood outbreak! (and in mid-Michigan in the summer of 1972 before that! Was gone in Utah during the 1988-89 emergence and missed it all with the drought and browning grass!)

Comment by Kirk G — July 21, 2008 [AT] 8:28 pm

The chorus of songs have picked up each evening at sunset in the Athens, Ohio area. I had almost overlooked them, as I worked on the patio this weekend. But then I paused in the high heat as it became more humid, and realized that I was hearing not just one song, but several in the trees that border my house.

Didn’t think we would get any this year!!!

Comment by Kirk G — July 21, 2008 [AT] 8:14 pm

My son found a cicada tonight in the backyard today July 21,2008. in Cleveland Ohio eastern suburb

Comment by Kelly O — July 21, 2008 [AT] 6:43 pm

Elias—I’ve done this with other groups of insects, particularly wasps and hornets, in the past. I’ve had cicadas in the past (M. cassini from Ohio Brood X, T. aurifera from Kansas and D. apache from Las Vegas), but I’ve generally kept them on branches inside cage at room temperature so they would sing. This year is the first time I’ve tried keeping periodical cicadas refrigerated. Because I’m away almost every weekend in addition to other travel, this substantially reduces the “babysitting” required! Therefore, it is partly an adaptation of what I have been doing with other insects as well as a certain amount of luck I suppose!

The last female M. septendecim died over the weekend, so now there are 3 male M. septendecim and a male and female of M. cassini.

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — July 20, 2008 [AT] 6:42 pm

Have not yet seen any cicadas but have swarms of the cicada killers now that are making homes in the large rocks. They seem to be feeding off one of our varagated lilac bushes, eating the sap.

We are in Washington Township, Warren County, New Jersey

Comment by Irene — July 19, 2008 [AT] 5:30 pm

Have you performed this suspended animation experiment before? Where did you learn this technique? Very impressive!

Comment by Elias — July 18, 2008 [AT] 10:16 pm

Elias,

The ones from PA I have kept on Red Maple twigs in the refrigerator, but I don’t know if or how much they have fed (although I have seen some probing the twigs with their beaks). Only three, all M. cassini, are still alive. The ones from NC (now only about 5, all M. septendecim) have been kept under refrigeration without food. As some of the latter were collected next to their nymphal shells, I believe they were somewhat teneral and perhaps this has contributed to their longevity in captivity.

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — July 15, 2008 [AT] 9:38 am

This is very interesting! You are the only one in the US with living Magicicada. I probably should have done this. Do you allow them to feed from time to time or just keep them in suspended animation?

Comment by Elias — July 15, 2008 [AT] 6:29 am

Tonight (in Lenoir, NC) I went out to check the twigs into which eggs had been laid, and I found two newly-hatched nymphs. I was able to capture one and put it under a microscope, and it looks just like the one in the video. These are M. septendecim. Now I am trying to figure out the best way to pose the adults I’m keeping alive in the refrigerator with the “next generation” in a photo—not an easy task given the size difference!

Comment by Bob Jacobson — July 14, 2008 [AT] 6:22 pm

I live in Mount Prospect, Illinois (northwest suburb of Chicago). It is July 14, 2008 and there are Cicadas chirping up a storm. It sounds as loud as last year’s Brood XIV. I don’t know if these are Magicicadas.

Has anyone else reported large scale emergence of Cicadas anywhere else in the Chicagoland area?

Are these cicadas different than Brood XIV that emerged last summer?

Comment by Hans — July 14, 2008 [AT] 6:21 pm

Hello Diane,

Thanks for writing. Please let me know when the eggs hatch. THis is the part of the lifecycle I have not personally witnessed. Here is a video of a first instar nymph after hatching. THey are about the size of ants.

https://www.revver.com/video/348164/1st-instar-cicada-nymph/

Take care,
Elias

Comment by Elias — July 10, 2008 [AT] 3:29 am

Hi Elias 🙂 We still have major flagging on alot of trees. My kids have been picking up the branches and breaking them open to shake out the eggs onto the ground to give them a chance to live before they throw out the branches 🙂 My son went to the library and took out some books on cicadas to show me pictures of what the nymphs will look like so I can tell you when they start hatching and coming down off of the trees. As soon as we see it I will come on here and post it and I will email you too so you can get out here. Gotta run…….talk to ya soon!! Diane

Comment by Diane — July 9, 2008 [AT] 7:29 pm

Yes, most are still alive, although 8 of the M. cassini from PA have died this week. In addition to others, I still have 5 of the M. septendecim collected in Asheville, NC on May 17, so that is seven and a half weeks. This is the longest I have ever kept any cicadas alive.

Comment by Bob Jacobson — July 8, 2008 [AT] 3:03 pm

Hello Bob,

Interesting. Are they still alive? WHat is the record length of time you have kept them alive in this fashion?

I have received some live specimens form a good friend in Cape Cod. Hope they will survivie for a little while!

Comment by Elias — July 8, 2008 [AT] 12:31 pm

The cicadas seem to have finished their lifecycles here in East Falmouth on Cape Cod, MA.

Comment by Laura Tutino — July 7, 2008 [AT] 7:13 pm

I have kept the M. cassini from PA inside a plastic bag with branches of red maple (Acer rubrum); I’m not sure of the precise temperature but believe it is in the low 40s(F). I take the bag out of refrigeration every 2 or 3 days and let them warm up for at least a half hour, both to see what they will do and to determine which have died so they can be removed for pinning as specimens. The M. septendecim from NC have been kept without food other than the leaf to which they or their nymphal shell was attached.

Comment by Bob Jacobson — July 6, 2008 [AT] 8:18 pm

The M. cassini have been kept with branches of red maple (Acer rubrum), and at least one was observed inserting its beak into a twig. I’ll have to check on the temperature, but I believe it is in the low 40s (F). I let them warm up for at least a half hour, often longer, but mainly to determine which are alive so I can remove any that have died (to be pinned as specimens). Interestingly, most of the M. septendecim from NC have been kept without food other than at most the leaf they were on (or the leaf to which the nymphal shell is/was attached).

Comment by Bob Jacobson — July 6, 2008 [AT] 8:11 pm

Hello Bob,

Please elaborate a little on the refrigeration technique. How long have you been able to keep them alive in this manner? What temperature do you keep them in and how long do you allow for this “warming up” period?
All of mine have passed on July 2nd. I wish I still had specimens. LAst year I had one from Chicago that I brought home and lived for 14 days in captivity.

Comment by Elias — July 4, 2008 [AT] 7:22 pm

Although the cicadas have long since gone from here (Lenoir, NC), I have a half dozen (both males and females) M. septendecim from Asheville (May 17) and Lenoir (May 21) as well as almost a couple dozen M. cassini (again, both males and females) from Bellefonte, PA still alive in a walk-in refrigerator. I believe some of these were rather teneral when collected, so this may be contributing to their longevity. I take them out every few days, and the latter spcies starts chattering once it gets warmed up! I have twigs of eggs of both species, so with a little luck I might manage to have nymphs and adults alive at the same time! (I might as well enjoy them—it will be three years until the next emergence!) Now, I’m also waiting for Tibicen to start appearing.

Comment by Bob Jacobson — July 4, 2008 [AT] 7:12 pm

Hello Diane,

I just dropped the camera off at my girlfriends house and she will download the videos. Have a lot of footage from your town. Just wish I took some video with you and your children! IT would have been fun to review some footage of them having so much fun. I remember their excitement when they discovered the difference between male and female cicadas! I shared their same enthusiasm at their age.
The eggs take about 6-8 weeks to hatch. According to Dr Gene Krtisky, there is a 50% mortality when the branches are separated from the parent tree. Some naturally separate becuase the egg laying is so intense. I am looking forward to seeing the first stage nymphs. IF you can tell me when they start hatching I will make a last trip! They are the size of ants and pure white. I await your email and will try to see if we can put together a good assortment of cicada videos. I took many many hours worth LOL!
Have a great night!

Comment by Elias — July 1, 2008 [AT] 8:55 pm

Hello again! We also have lots of flagging on our trees….been picking up all of the branches for the past few days now, but now I feel maybe I should have left them a little while longer to give the eggs a chance to get out? How long does it take once the branch falls? Oh….my son said to tell you he will definitely be back in 2025 at the same spot (the bus stop) where we met you, now you guys just have to pick a day so you can meet up as I am sure you will be there too! I think my son may be the next generation cicada expert following in your footsteps 🙂 🙂 🙂 I will email you so you can send me whatever pictures you took as the kids are asking to see your video again! I am still finding wings everywhere, especially in my pool! My dog still searches around for them too! Okay….gotta run..have a great night!! Diane

Comment by Diane — July 1, 2008 [AT] 6:32 pm

Went back to Brookhaven today. Almost all dead. 2 individual males heard calling deep in the woods. Captured 3 females and this was done with some effort. As quickly as they emerged is as quickly as they died. Lots of flagging seen. Besides Massachusetts, do any other sites have live cicadas?

Comment by Elias — July 1, 2008 [AT] 11:37 am

Stopped in Berks County PA (Hwy 10 in Roberson township)on the way home from Canada to see the cicadas one last time before they were done. Interesting observations. In Morgantown around the library there were none and no flagging and the workers had heard of the cicadas but had not seen any. A little research sent me up Hwy 10 to Roberson township. About 2-3 miles from the library I started seeing lots of flagging, so stopped and saw many cicadas and lots of dead bodies. Many had the fungus and as my daughter said had their butts felled off. I have nothing to compare to at that site in terms of the peak since my only observation of XIV was in Asheville NC at the start of the emergence. In PA I saw only 1 nymph shell and no exit holes. The chorusing was not as loud but still obvious. That will have to do til the 13-year emergence in 2011 in my area. I hope it is good. Will miss the little fellas.

Comment by Kevin — June 29, 2008 [AT] 6:53 pm

Report from LI June 29th

Chorusing has even decreased from yesterday. 70% of males captured yesterday died. All females survived. It appears their time is up. There was still some mild chorusing. These are the last vestiges of Brood XIV. They will be missed. We await their return in 2025!

Comment by Elias — June 29, 2008 [AT] 3:47 pm

Yesterday, still some chorusing left in Upton near Brookhaven lab in addition to points north along William Floyd Parkway. Flagging has now become quite apparent (seems like an early autumn). OBserved alot fo ovipositing. At the beginning, the female’s last abdominal segment becomes completely vertical with the tree. Then it pulses as the eggs are discharged. It is pretty interesting to watch.
Saw cicada eggs for the first time as I broke open one of the “flagged” branches that were on the ground. Next I would like to see the first instar nymphs.

Comment by Elias — June 29, 2008 [AT] 3:32 am

Still a lot of activity in the Cincinnati area. No longer any singing in our Hyde Park neighborhood, but the Mariemont and Blue Ash suburbs still have thousands of Cicadas in the trees, and the noise is almost as loud as the first few days after the emergence. I was at Kings Island last Saturday for our company picnic and the trees that have been planted on the grounds are LOADED with cicadas. It was amusing to watch how annoyed/scared most people are by these amazing creatures. You should have seen the looks on their faces as I gently picked one up off the parking lot and gave it a ride on my index finger!

Comment by Tom L — June 24, 2008 [AT] 8:00 pm

We still have quite a few chorusing here on Cape Cod (East Falmouth). It is sad to watch them dying. There are some fledgling birds around who seem to be enjoying a feast. The titmouse seems to enjoy the cicadas. The golf course is a feasting area for squirrels. It is such an amazing phenomenon to me. I wish I had less fear of them — I might have looked one in the eye or held one…I know they are harmless. At least they continue the cycle of nature by being a source of food.

Comment by Laura Tutino — June 24, 2008 [AT] 6:19 pm

Hello all,

Made one trip to the Brookhaven lab. I was denied access as a non lab employee. They did let me search at the front gate. The decim choruses were loud!! I was so happy I did this. Then drove up William Floyd Parkway and they were criss crossing the street. Found another area on the side of the road on Research Drive and was able to look around. Tons of calls with lots of ovipositing too. Did not see extreme predation like I did in western sites. This part of the brood looks healthy. No blue eyed or marble eyed specimens.

Thats all for now from LI. Will get out there again on the weekend hopefully.

Comment by Elias — June 24, 2008 [AT] 4:26 pm

Hello Diane,

Will take one more drive through East Setauket. Will also hit Manorville and Brookhaven in an attempt to see the last of the cicadas. Hope I hear some calls.

I can be emailed at epb471 [AT] yahoo.com. Still have to download the videos.

Take care
Elias

Comment by Elias — June 24, 2008 [AT] 7:11 am

I noticed this morning that the tips of a large number of oak trees on my property have turned brown, so I suspect that is from the massive egg laying? It is readily apparent seeing this how many of these creatures must of existed here! Almost every single branch of all the oaks trees were affected. I still saw some flying around over the weekend, but the chorus is probably 5% of what it was at the peak. Guess the end is near. I must admit, while the cicada’s grossed out my wife, I think the whole cycle they live is really very interesting. Again, I am near Morgantown in Berks county Pennsylvania.

Comment by Ken — June 23, 2008 [AT] 8:32 am

Hello Diane,

Glad you visited this website. I will never forget the excitement on your children’s faces when they heard them call individually and learned the differences between male and female. I wish I had met me when I was their age — LOL!
I am interested if they have started calling again. I will be able to come out again next Tuesday (my day off from work). Have to see if any sites are still active on LI. HEard Brookhaven is still active. Have to check that and manorville again.

Hope all is well, and I should make it to Setauket one last time!

Take care,
Elias
P.S. Maybe I can email you some footage. Have not downloaded it from the camera yet. I should have taken some with the children playing with thyem. COme to think of it that was priceless. Where will they be in 2025 when they return???

Comment by Elias — June 22, 2008 [AT] 8:34 pm

I just wanted to report that the chorus just suddenly stopped yesterday afternoon on Mayflower Lane in East Setauket. I have hundreds of them all over my yard and driveway (just had to clean it to walk), but they seem to have all died. The birds have been eating non-stop though. We had alot of sea gulls arrive the other day too and they were actually swallowing them in mid air! Elias, I am the woman you met the other day at the bus stop with my children…I just wanted to say hi as I know you also said you have come on here 🙂 My son got a kick out of holding the cicadas while they sang 🙂 It was also a great sight to see the female depositing her eggs on the branch. My son is still talking about it!! Even though we have had so many in our yard for weeks now, my son thought it was the coolest thing meeting you since you also love the cicadas as much as he does. Can you post a link for your video on here as I would like to save it for him? He was very depressed this morning when he did not hear them singing like usual. He keeps saying they are not gone 🙁 Well just wanted to say hi and give you an update. Take care….Diane

Comment by Diane — June 20, 2008 [AT] 8:27 am

Without exaggeration, I think there are thousands of them on my property in East Falmouth, right behind the Paul Harney golf course. The noise is other-worldly, and their “shells” are stuck on the cedar shingles on our house. When the sun is out, we see them flying (it seems aimlessly) everywhere. They seem to love the scrubby oak trees here. Let’s just say that my gardening plans are on hold — I know the cicadas will not harm me, but I prefer them not to fly into me, or ON ME!!!

Comment by Laura Tutino — June 19, 2008 [AT] 9:51 pm

There’s still some chorusing here in Southwest Ohio but it has diminished signifigantly in the past few days. It will probably be very quiet here in about a week. It’s late enough in the month that we may get some song mixing of annual cicadas as well as periodicals which I haven’t experienced before.

Comment by Roy Troutman — June 19, 2008 [AT] 2:37 pm

They are still singing at my location in Berks county PA, but it is at a much lower level then before. I have not seen any emerging for a week or so, and you do not see nearly as many flying around. Bet in another week or so we will be back to “normal”.

Comment by Ken — June 19, 2008 [AT] 8:02 am

On Father’s Day my family and I traveled to Trevorton Pennsylvania in an attempt to witness Brood XIV. Disappointment quickly set in as we made our way southward through northen PA. No cicadas, no shells, no singing. We arrived at Trevorton around noon and found the heads and thoraces of a few cicadas and about 10 wings scattered on the sidewalks. Strangely, there were no shells anywhere! If anyone knows of a specific place in PA where the cicadas are currently out in large numbers, please let me know. I’ve been waiting to see them since I was 6 years old — and I’m 34 now!

Thank you,
Ed

BigEdK7 [AT] aol.com

Comment by Ed — June 19, 2008 [AT] 5:15 am

Are there any action up in berks county still? I would like to make the trip up there this Thursday 06/19/08…

Comment by McKenzie — June 18, 2008 [AT] 2:18 pm

Well, it appears the Cicadas have officially died off here in the East End of Louisville, KY. No singing, no dive-bombing, just quiet. Like the good ole’ days. My husband and I did find a few females/males hanging to the side of a model home in our subdivision, but they were likely getting ready to kick the Cicada bucket after having a short but productive rendevous.

Bye little fellas. See ya’ in 17 years.

Now, we must suit up for the invasion of Japanese Beetles!

Comment by Lisa — June 18, 2008 [AT] 5:48 am

Well, it appears the Cicadas have officially died off. No singing, no dive-bombing, just quiet. Like the good ole’ days. My husband and I did find a few females/males hanging to the side of a model home in our subdivision, but they were likely getting ready to kick the Cicada bucket after having a short but productive rendevous.

Bye little fellas. See ya’ in 17 years.

Now, we must suit up for the invasion of Japanese Beetles!

Comment by Lisa — June 18, 2008 [AT] 5:47 am

Hello all,

Had a curious occurrence today. 90% of the activity in Otsego Park Dix Hills has diminished rapidly. It seemed like multitudes of birds were preying heavily on them . They were only calling by the roadside in front of the park. Not sure if the future for cicadas in dix hills looks good.

Lenny, I met Peter for the first time today. We caught some males for him to bring to the office. East Setauket is one of the best places. I hung out on Mayflower road and Branch lane today. Two very educated homeowners were there and asked a multitude of quesitons on cicadas! Their children loved them too. The chorus here appears the strongest on LI. The whole area is surrounded by woods and I think this helps. They do recall some activity in 2004. I drove out here in ’04 but saw nothing.

Next I hit Manorville, Mastic and Shirley. All the action seemed to be on or near Moriches Middle Island Road. Saw some nice aggregations of septendecims and heard a moderate chorus. Traveled probably over 100 miles today. Time to go to sleep.

Good night
Elias

Comment by Elias — June 17, 2008 [AT] 9:07 pm

This past Saturday (June 14) I was in Bellefonte, PA where I enountered a nice sampling of Magicicada septendecim and larger numbers of M. cassini. The latter species is so much louder than the former, and I was impressed by the way their “chorus” suddenly get louder for a couple seconds and then softer for several more, and then repeats the process. I observed females of M. cassini laying eggs in maple twigs, and I have a large leaf, the petiole into which a cicada had made 11 slits. (If anyone wants a photo, email me at jacobsonbob [AT] yahoo.com.) I found cast skins in Lanse, PA and heard M. septendecim in both Drifting (Clearfield Co.) and just E of Mont Alto (Franklin Co.)

Comment by Bob Jacobson — June 17, 2008 [AT] 6:37 pm

I have no personal issues with cicadas and have been doing my best to keep them alive in spite of their own stupidity by rescuing them from my pool whenever possible (as bad as they fly, they swim even worse!) But they are now officially out of control. I can’t get my wife or kids to empty the skimmer basket on the pool anymore. I don’t understand why— check out the pictures at

https://family.olivaweb.net/photos/thumbnails.php?album=8

I’ve had enough! Bring on the fourth of July!!

Brian Oliva
Milford (Clermont County) Ohio

Comment by Brian Oliva — June 17, 2008 [AT] 3:03 pm

For Father’s day, my wife and kids joined me on a Magicicada search in Asheville, NC. The action is beginning to wind down, but we still found some pockets of good activity. Tunnel Road in East Asheville had some nice action. We sat outside to eat lunch at a Sonic and the cicadas were buzzing all around us. Then we went out to Biltmore Forest in the south end of Asheville and they were everywhere. The choruses were not deafening, but were still strong in places. Dead cicadas littered the ground all throughout the town and the skies were filled with them buzzing back and forth between the trees and shrubs. As far as I saw, both the living and dead cicadas were all septendecims.

Peter, I’m glad to hear to you got in some good action on Long Island! I hope the girls enjoyed them!

Elias, my 2004 success for Brood X was limited to a few emergence holes and a handful of exuvia. So few emerged that they must have been picked off right away. This was around Mayflower Lane in East Setauket. I wonder if that’s one of the hot spots this year. If so, perhaps they were very early Brood XIV stragglers!

Comment by Lenny — June 16, 2008 [AT] 8:09 pm

I am Russell KY 41169 about two miles inland (south) of the Ohio River

I’ll bet I killed 300 of the things each day for a week when they first emerged (2nd/3rd week of May) but I swear I haven’t seen one in at least three weeks now. We don’t even hear them any longer- haven’t heard them in maybe four days now. Husband works two miles away further south and is swarmed. My property borders a patch of woods and we could hear them getting further and further away each day there and now there isn’t the first sign of any being around. I want to take the bags off my trees but am afraid.
What to do, what to do?

Comment by Toni — June 16, 2008 [AT] 6:15 pm

We just had our first sighting here in Montgomery,PA. But so far we only had one visitor, and he had a deformed wing. Friends down the road had a massive emergence in Eilmsport, PA.

Comment by Sara Vallese — June 16, 2008 [AT] 4:08 pm

I live in Bellefonte, PA, also. Today there are major swarms to which extent one cannot even go outside. We have now had four of these critters in our house. Our cat just plays with them but they perish easily with the swat of a fly swatter.

Personnally I think they are totally gross and annoying. You can’t even sit outside right now. It’s a phenomenon unlike anything I have ever seen. My wife and I are transplants to Bellefonte so we are totally amazed at this emergence. It’s massive for sure! I think our town is the center for this particular Brood. I hear them elsewhere but nothing like here in Bellefonte!

Comment by Jeff — June 16, 2008 [AT] 12:43 pm

Many cicadas in Mifflin County, PA. Burnham (near K Mart), Belleville, Rt 26 the whole way down to Huntingdon.

Found some very loud and very dense populations 2.5 miles in on Alan Seegar Road just north of the 26 / 305 junction. Matches any I’ve ever seen in person and on video.

Comment by Mike — June 16, 2008 [AT] 10:49 am

Dye-down is FINALLY happening here in the East End of Louisville. Several of our neighbors’ young trees — specifically Maple and Oak — are showing stress from flagging. Fortunately, our Yoshino Cherry Trees and Sweet Bay Magnolia have stood up quite well so far. My husband is religious about picking the females off in both the AM and PM — translation: ending their lives by way of “eating concrete” — so we’ll see.

Seen lots of cicadas with the fungus. Will have to see what the sunshine brings today — quiet or chorusing. It’s so nice to hear myself think again!

Comment by Lisa — June 16, 2008 [AT] 5:03 am

We live in central New Hampshire and my Daddy found two burrows near the garden after he moved a stump and saw two red eyes peeking at him! Because of the red eyes we believe this nymph is a 17 year cicada.

Comment by Claire — June 16, 2008 [AT] 4:42 am

Out at Otsego Park, Dix Hills, NY today with my 3 and 6 year old and wife Had them all holding and allowing the cacadas to crawl on them. With the Sun out they were easy to find and hear along the main drive in. Help get more kids out to see them. They need you all to help get them excited which will lead to more people in the future protecting them and their habitat.

Comment by Peter — June 15, 2008 [AT] 8:36 pm

Nymphs still emerging in Dix Hills today (Otsego Park). Best place is along the entrance by the parking lot. Earlier today the chorus was quite loud. This is geographically closer to my home. Took home 3 nymphs to watch them eclose (this never gets old). Taped it the other night in its entirety. It took 1 and 1/2 hours from the back split to the final wing folding. Always wanted to do that. When you play it in fast forward it looks nice. Good night!

Comment by Elias — June 15, 2008 [AT] 8:19 pm

June 15, 2008. They are thick here in Bellefonte (near the little Bellefonte airport) for the past week or so. It’s almost impossible to enjoy being on your porch or in the yard, both because of the noise and the fact that they are flying everywhere and landing on us! We also went to Bald Eagle State Park in Howard today and they were terrible. How long will this last????

Comment by Ruthie — June 15, 2008 [AT] 2:41 pm

Just came back from Dix Hills. The emergence is still going strong at Otsego Park. Caught 3 nymphs tonight. Was successful in filming the entire eclosing process yesterday. Maybe tonight I can create “Part II”. East Setauket still going strong. Some trees were covered with them which was an awesome spectacle. Also had the good luck of finding a chocolate eyed and and a mustard eyed cicada. Will send pictures soon. Still looking for a blue eyed one! (Lucky enough to find one last year in Chicago). Went to Coram by the street featured in Newsday. It did not seem as intense. Maybe because it was later and cloudy. May have to recheck this area. Northern Pinnequid St seemed to be were the action was.

In answer to the purpose of cicadas, they areate the soil as nymphs, provide food for countless animals as adults, and fertilize the earth when they die.

Comment by Elias — June 14, 2008 [AT] 8:50 pm

I took my two youngest kids to see the Brood in Morgantown Pennsylvania this morning….we found plenty of them!!…..I love the sound!….anyway, took Pa turnpike to Morgantown exit, then took Rt 10 North for a mile or so until I saw them flying and heard them……then just followed my ears til I got close. We walked a trail and saw them in trees by the hundreds to thousands with some dead/dying on the ground…..found a few with the fungus, most dead were not fungus filled but complete??…..They didnt seem to be asnumerous as the Brood that emerged in 2005 in parts of Pennsylvania (North of Harrisburg), but it was great to see and hear them again! I will be back next week for more!

Comment by Bill — June 14, 2008 [AT] 8:35 pm

Everything has a purpose. What is the purpose of the cicadas?

Comment by Brenda Madden — June 14, 2008 [AT] 11:31 am

Greetings! Just wanted to report a lone Brood XIII “straggler” who was singing in our tree for the past couple days here in Park Ridge, IL (a suburb of Chicago.) Sadly, he is gone now. I hope he had a chance to “hook up” as they say. Enjoy Brood XIV, folks! Wish I could be there.

Comment by Mary — June 13, 2008 [AT] 7:42 pm

Hello,

I was just wondering if/ when the magicicadas will come to the poconos (in PA)? or more specifically stroudsburg (18360)?

and is it true that they only come out every 17 years or do they only live 17 years?

I might have gotten it confused.

thanks!

-KT

Comment by Katie — June 13, 2008 [AT] 6:42 pm

I’m also in Bellefonte and am at the end of my rope with these critters. We are trying to train a new dog how to recognize the audible signal of our invisible fence … but nope you can’t hear it over the din. They dive bomb us every time we step outside and it’s just getting more intense every day. Make them go away!

Comment by Linda — June 13, 2008 [AT] 3:14 pm

Jennifer, glad you made it out to East Setauket. If anyone finds a denser emergence let me know. It is very loud over there!! Coram and Ridge arent bad but the decibel level appears lower. I used the Newsweek article in May of this year and followed the map with the streets that contianed 1991 emergences. You can easily see nothing if you drive around without exact streets in mind. They are very specific to small areas.
I will be out in East Setauket again this weekend. Hope to see more. Dix hills should hopefully be catching up as the emergence started in earnest this week. Not sure why it was behind the rest of the island.

Lenny, I felt the pain of 2004 too. I did not see any out in East Setauket then. That was sad. I was in Ronkonkoma in 1987 and saw tons of exuvia. I went to late to see living specimens.

Comment by Elias — June 13, 2008 [AT] 2:05 pm

Here in Louisville, Ky and our Magicicadas are in full swing.

We had an emergence two or so weeks ago and it was a heavy one. In my area anyway. I have piles of shells 3 inches deep around my trees and live Cicadas everywhere.

The little buggers love to divebomb our heads when we pull in the driveway. My 3 year old loves it. He won’t pick up a live one, but he loves to see daddy with a handfull. My wife does not fair so well. She is not enjoying the emergence as we are and stays in the house mose of the time.

Our afternoon ritual had become the “saving of the Cicadas. We head home and head to the pool. To swim of course, but also to save the still alive Cicada bugs from the water.

I have to say that I have never put much thought into these little creatures, but I am really enjoying having them around. I like to hear them sing and really enjoy their presence around our home. As stated… my wife would disagree.

The guys will be missed when they are gone.

Eric

Comment by Eric — June 13, 2008 [AT] 11:04 am

I guess it would be good to have a URL 😉

https://homepage.mac.com/alienfrog/PhotoAlbum37.html

Comment by AlienFrog — June 13, 2008 [AT] 10:57 am

The Cicada’s are starting to wind down now. I’ve taken a number of close up pics and they are on my web site.

This is from Asheville, NC

Comment by AlienFrog — June 13, 2008 [AT] 10:56 am

Looks like the massive movement from the ground is over in my area (Joanna Furnace / Morgantown PA.). We had three days where the back yard was just covered every morning. Wednesday evening we got a massive thunderstorm that dumped bout 2 -3 inches of water in a very short time. This seemed to stem the tide of the ones coming out of the ground and also quieted the ones in the trees some (I presume they got washed out of the trees and drowned). There is still some stragglers coming out of the ground and plenty of singing. Guess its just mating time now and it will soon be over! Guess the rain will be good for the nymphs! I don’t want to think how old I’ll be when this brood emerges again.

Comment by Ken — June 13, 2008 [AT] 7:10 am

Cape Cod Mass. is in full swing now! The Green Walk area by the Cataumet Post Office is a nice place to see them. (off of Scraggy Neck RD.) Also they trails/roads of the Quashnet River State Forest (Route 28(Falmouth rd) in Mashpee is also good. But the real amazing break out is at the lower part of the Francis A Crane Wildlife Management Area. Best access is off of Hayway RD. There is a parking area. Just walk in and you will be swarmed!

Comment by Kevin — June 12, 2008 [AT] 7:43 pm

We live in Kings Mills, Ohio. We went to the Beach Waterpark yesterday(near Kings Island), and couldn’t even hear each other speaking at the entrance because the cicadas were so loud. But the more exciting part of the story is when we arrived home. We heard the unmistakable buzz of a cicada in the car. I shared a secret look with my daughter, Haley, not wanting to scare her brother, Michael, because he would have jumped out of the moving vehicle if he knew a cicada was in the car. We went inside and heard the sound again. Haley looked at me with big eyes and said, “Mom, I think there’s a cicada in your suit.” My eyes got bigger, and I tore my suit off as fast as I could right then and there and threw my suit into the washing machine. Unfortunately, the poor cicada experienced a dizzying and wet death. We found about 6 parts of the bug after the cycle finished (even the cicada’s beady, little eyes!)

Comment by Heidi Adams — June 12, 2008 [AT] 6:49 pm

My wife and I drove from Ontario Canada to central Pennsylvania to experience this great natural phenomenon. OK, OK I know if you have to live with an emergence it could get a bit tiring but what a unique event in the world, and for us visitors a very cool event.

They were not as easy to find as I thought and locals we talked to hadn’t heard of anything (should have gone to Bellefonte I guess). Maybe they were just really getting started here? We did manage to find a small patch of mostly M. septendecim on route 192 just east of Lovonia. Not much of a pull off and we only spent about 20 minutes here and left to avoid a traffic accident.

Next day found a good emergence of mostly M. cassini along the quite dead-end Franklinville Cemetery Road just off route 45 and was able to enjoy a leisurely exploration of this remarkable insect.

On the way home heard many spots along the 220 north of State College where M. cassini was singing but not a road to stop on.

It took three days and 1850 kilometers (1150 miles) in temperatures up to 100F in an non-air conditioned car but well worth the experience. Thank You Pennsylvania.

Comment by David Bree — June 12, 2008 [AT] 5:31 pm

When will these annoying insects go away????

Comment by Ann — June 12, 2008 [AT] 12:01 pm

I live in Bellefonte, PA and when I step outside my door, the sound is deafening. They are all throughout my decorative trees… I try to water my plants and they fly at me! There are exoskeleton shells all over my deck. This problem is not present in the adjacent towns (State College, Pleasant Gap) but Bellefonte is plagued. Glad I don’t have any children. I’m worried about what would happen to my first born.

Comment by Dana — June 12, 2008 [AT] 10:53 am

Hello Elias and Lenny,
I did make it out to East Setauket yesterday and wow! Elias, you are right about it being a heavier emergence than say, Coram. I never thought I’d say this, but the noise actually did hurt my ears! Nevertheless, I was in heaven! I also saw them flying around all over. Why oh why couldn’t they be in my yard! Over Memorial Day weekend I was at Southhaven Park and I saw holes everywhere, so I am going to check that out soon. Let me know if you get there before I do!

Comment by Jennifer — June 12, 2008 [AT] 9:50 am

I’ll be heading to Asheville, NC this weekend. Does anyone know of any locations (Folk Art Center, Biltmore Forest, etc..) where the Magicicadas are still active in good numbers?

I was on Long Island last Tuesday and visited wooded areas in Manhasset, Smithtown, Stony Brook and Port Jeff station, but I got skunked. It’s good to hear that the action is picking up now. Thank you Elias and Jennifer for all of the reports. I was “obsessed” with Brood X on Long Island in 2004, and logged many miles and hours searching around for them, only to find a small emergence site in East Setauket. I’m so glad to hear this brood is out in force in several pockets within Suffolk County. I look forward to more updates.

Comment by Lenny — June 12, 2008 [AT] 7:17 am

Hello Dan,

I am compiling all the data for John Cooley (creator of Cicadas @ UCONN (formerly Magicicada.org)). I think I am the only one mapping Long Island so any leads or data points are so useful. Also I automatically veriify them with GPS coordinates. As you know you could drive for miles and hear NOTHING. LEads are so important. I know negative data points are useful but it gets boring driving in miles of silence!!

Thanks for running an awesome website. Keep up the great work!

Comment by Elias — June 12, 2008 [AT] 6:59 am

Or better yet Elias, they should report their locations to the Magicicada .org project and report the exact location of the emergence while remaining anonymous.

Comment by Dan — June 11, 2008 [AT] 9:56 pm

A request to all Long Island readers, please provide streets and towns were cicada activity has been spotted. I will be out and about this weekend mapping. Any assistance will greatly be appreciated.

So far East Setauket and Port Jefferson Station appear to have the highest density.

Hope to pick up some more nymphs tomorrow and film one emerging from beginning to end! I am sure some other people out here have done that already.

Comment by Elias — June 11, 2008 [AT] 8:49 pm

Hi, there! My mom was known as the bug lady when I lived up there in ’91— our house was on the news for the previous emergence!! I heard she was on news 12 a day or so ago and I cant find the feed! If anyone can send a link to the Brood 14 clip in East Setauket from News Channel 12 from I think this Tuesday, please post it! I’m in NoVa! Thanks!

Comment by ArlingtonDeeDee — June 11, 2008 [AT] 8:40 pm

The activity of the cicadas is nearly over in Lenoir, NC so the “event” lasted just slighly over 3 weeks. I found that some that had been stored in the refrigerator are still alive, so I hope to see how long I can keep them. With a little luck I hope to be able to photograph a live Tibicen (dog-day cicada) beside a live Magicicada, something probably not occurring naturally!

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — June 11, 2008 [AT] 7:14 pm

I live in Scott County, Kentucky, located approx. 13 miles North of Lexington. Last Saturday, June 7, 2008 my trees were literally covered from bottom to their tops with the cicada’s. Many of them still remain, but they are starting to fade here ~ at least in my yard. The noise was unbearable for many many days as we were unable to stay outside for long periods of time. They are fascinating to watch since we won’t see these little ones for quite some time to come.

Comment by Lori Thompson — June 11, 2008 [AT] 6:22 pm

The cicadas have emerged in Lexington, Ky. From the map I saw on the site they are a heavy emergence. I can believe it. The trees in my yard are covered with them! Boy are they noisy! I took some pictures of them.

https://www.goku-san.com/photos/cicadas/

Comment by Tina — June 11, 2008 [AT] 5:09 pm

Ridge (Long Island) NY — The local paper actually printed our street in the paper as a “prime” cicada site. I thought they were kidding. The noise this past week is REALLY loud and getting louder! But if you go a few houses down the street you hear nothing. It’s going to be a long 4/6 weeks!!!!!

Comment by Terry — June 11, 2008 [AT] 2:27 pm

Cape Cod, MA. They are here by the thousands!! My back yard is filled with cicadas! I wake up to the VERY LOUD cicada music every morning!

Comment by Tracy — June 11, 2008 [AT] 2:12 pm

Here is a Reading Eagle article describing the emergence around Joanna Furnace area in Pennsylvania. My neighbor actually cleans up the dead ones!

https://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=94996

Comment by Ken — June 11, 2008 [AT] 11:16 am

I live in California (not many cicadas over here 🙂 ). After visiting my sister in Charlotte, NC I rented a cabin outside of Asheville. I was hoping to take a ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway with my family, but (upon noticing the detour signs) decided to ask the staff at the Folk Art Center what was going on. I heard a high pitch whine as I exited the vehicle, but it never really registered. After going inside and grabbing a few maps, I exited and was immediately dive bombed by a cicada! I looked up in the sky and I saw a few flying overhead. I knew what they were immediately and asked my wife/kids to check them out. I was pretty sure they were only around once every 17 years and (thanks to your site) am now able to verify with certainty that was the case. A wonderful little experience completely out of chance.

Comment by Neil — June 11, 2008 [AT] 1:29 am

Just did a lot of driving today. Went all over Long Island. Heard the strongest choruses in East Setauket and Port Jefferson. Mild choruses heard in Dix Hills, Coram and Ridge. Its amazing how you can hear nothing for blocks and then stumble upon an area where they are all around!

Wondering where the densest emergence is on Long Island. Also if anyone has anyother points please let me know. Jennifer — did you make it to Setauket today? THe choruses were powerful and I found a few shrubs loaded with calling males.

Comment by Elias — June 10, 2008 [AT] 9:18 pm

Yes, we had them in 2004. They were quite loud then also. However, I saw nothing like I am seeing in my back yard this time around. I was not living here in 1991.

Comment by Ken — June 10, 2008 [AT] 1:14 pm

They’re all over the place in Louisville Kentucky!

You can hardly walk outside without them getting on you if you’re near a tree!

Comment by Ben — June 10, 2008 [AT] 12:37 pm

Ken:

Did you see any cicadas 4 years ago (in 2004) at the Joanna Furnace area?

And, have you lived there long enough to remember if they were there in 1991?

Comment by Mike — June 10, 2008 [AT] 12:35 pm

On route 10 near Joanna Furnace in Pennsylvania. Over the last two mornings I have had thousands in my backyard on the ground. Impossible to walk in the area without stepping on them. They are all gone by mid-day. The singing sounds like a tractor trailer idling!!!

Comment by Ken — June 10, 2008 [AT] 11:05 am

I live in Kings Mills, OH and they have been here for a few weeks. However, they just started getting bad a week ago. They are everywhere! I can’t go outside without being dive-bombed! My 4 month old Boxer puppy loves them though! 🙂

Comment by Eleise — June 10, 2008 [AT] 9:57 am

Hello-Just wanted to share that we live on the east side of the city of Louisville in Kentucky and the songs right now outside are so loud we aren’t able to sit outside and talk. My zip code is 40245 to be more precise and we are enjoying the songs!!

Comment by Diane — June 10, 2008 [AT] 4:39 am

Jennifer,

Glad you too are obsessed! I just got back from Otsego Park in Dix Hills. Takes me a half hour to get out there! Saw hundreds of nymphs coming up everywhere. Heard the rustling in the forest that is unforgettable. They climb very high into the trees. Took 5 nymphs home and watched them molt in front of my eyes. Please share with me other locations that you find. Will be out and about tomorrow. It is my day off so hopefully will hit some more cities. May see you out in Port Jeff/Setauket LOL!

Comment by Elias — June 9, 2008 [AT] 9:18 pm

Thank you so much Elias for the specific locations of cicadas! I am going to check them out asap. Thanks for sharing the Newsday article as well, I read it immediately. I am a “tad” obsessed, so I really appreciate any information I can get.

Comment by Jennifer — June 9, 2008 [AT] 8:17 pm

Hello all,

I am happy to report New York Newsday published an article with me and the cicadas!

https://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/sunday/lilife/ny-nw085716056jun08,0,7759589.story

If this link doesnt work, search newsday.com for cicadas and the article was yesterday. This has been an awesome emergence for me!

Take care

Comment by Elias — June 9, 2008 [AT] 5:00 pm

To the Honey Brook cicada watchers: Thanks for the info — I didn’t come that far south and east to see them there. I will now!

Question 1: At this time in 2004, did you see cicadas in the same location?

Question 2: Were any of you there in 1991 and can remember if there were cicadas then?

Comment by Mike — June 9, 2008 [AT] 3:20 pm

Hello jennifer,

I had good luck finding them in East Setauket and Port Jefferson Station. The weird thing is if you drive a few blocks in one direction you may hear — NOTHING! Its weird how patchy the emergence is. In Port Jefferson Station Found them at Old Town Road and Half Mile Road in addition to Hart Street and Broadway. In East Setauket I found them at Mayflower Lane and Branch Lane. Also Mayflower and Fireside LAne. In additon — Old Town Road and Arrowhead Lane.

Yesterday went to Otsego Park (DIX HILLS) and right before they closed the park, hundreds came up and climbed three trees by the parking lot. It was an awesome sight!

Also want to thank Laurie for the Mastic Data Point. Will check that out too. Please keep the NY reports coming!! I can be reached via email at epb471 [AT] yahoo.com if anyone needs. Will be assisting in the mapping of NY for UCONN.

Take care and thanks!

Comment by Elias — June 9, 2008 [AT] 1:49 pm

On Hill Road between Honey Brook and Hibernia Park. The loudest I’ve ever heard — sounds like a spaceship hovering overhead. Also don’t recall seeing this many last time.

Comment by wendy — June 9, 2008 [AT] 1:07 pm

Mike
Outside Honey Brook, PA on Hill Rd
Andy

Comment by Andy — June 9, 2008 [AT] 12:53 pm

Andy from Lancaster: Where are you located? You don’t need to give me your address, just tell me the general vicinity. Or, email me at mike21b dejazzzd com

Comment by Mike — June 9, 2008 [AT] 10:55 am

Regarding previous post: sound pressure measured at 90db — consistent peak.

Comment by John Rausch — June 9, 2008 [AT] 10:43 am

Oregonia, north of Ft. Ancient along the Little Miami in a heavily wooded area. I have never seen this many cicadas in either of the broods. It is unbelievably dense.

Comment by John Rausch — June 9, 2008 [AT] 10:22 am

Hey Andy,
It sounds like you are hearing chorusing from the species of 17 year cicadas called Magicicada Septendecim. They do sound like the mother ship landing.

Hope this helps,
Roy

Comment by Roy Troutman — June 9, 2008 [AT] 10:14 am

Not sure if this is what we are experiencing here outside Lancaster, PA. I haven’t actually seen any cicada’s. but come morning and all through the day there is a constant humming (I joke it sounds like the “War of the Worlds” death rays). So you tell me is this cicada or just the end of the world? (LOL)

Andy

Comment by Andy — June 9, 2008 [AT] 7:09 am

I’ve been hearing a high pitched sound outside for the past couple of days. It’s a constant sound, not at all like a cricket. Could this be the cicadas? If so, Elias this is for you, I’m located just east of the Brookhaven Calabro airport in Mastic NY. The cicadas are everywhere and are still emerging.

Comment by Laurie — June 9, 2008 [AT] 6:48 am

Hi Jackie,
The cicadas you are seeing are just late stragglers left over from last years main emergence. A very small percentage of 17 year cicadas “lose count” of the years & come out late or early.

Thx,
Roy

Comment by Roy Troutman — June 9, 2008 [AT] 5:41 am

I live in the SW Suburbs of Chicago (Palos Park) & we had tons of cicadas last year. This evening I spotted one lone cicada inside my gazebo. 2007 marked our 17th year. I didn’t think I’d see another one til 2024. I know we have cicadas every summer, but I thought the 17 year ones were different. Am I missing something? It looked just like the Magicicada pictured.

Comment by Jackie — June 8, 2008 [AT] 9:02 pm

You welcome Elias. Would you mind letting me know where you have seen them in East Setauket and Port Jeff? I have driven around and around with no luck and with gas prices the way they are, I would love to know exactly where to go. I have read on another site that Ridge has them, but I could not see any there.

Comment by Jennifer — June 8, 2008 [AT] 8:31 pm

My back yard stinks! (Cincinnati) Millions of dead, decaying cicada bugs smell awful. The noise continues to be deafening, mowing the grass today was an adventure. Haven’t seen deer, squirrels or bunnies in days. Usually see wildlife multiple times a day. Even the birds are scarce. My two dogs are annoyed by the noise, the loud hovering noise and then the “singing”. They are not eating them this time. Definitely worse than the last emergence a few years ago. The novelty is over, I want my yard back!

Comment by Margaret — June 8, 2008 [AT] 6:34 pm

Starting to quiet down now here in East TN, this brood was much shorter lived then Brood X. Been about 3 weeks since they started chorusing and last go round they lasted about 2 weeks longer and were 10 times the number of bugs. Still great to see, and I am somewhat sorry to see them go.

Comment by Magi Cicada — June 8, 2008 [AT] 5:48 pm

I’m in Mt. Washington, KY (just south of Louisville) and they are simply everywhere. We haven’t even bothered to open our pool as we are sure the filter will be full of them in no time.

My question is we have seen fully developed cicadas since Memorial Day weekend, when will they be going away? I’ve had my fill of them and am ready for a 17 year break.

Comment by Carrie — June 8, 2008 [AT] 12:04 pm

me and my boyfriend live on a horse farm in versailles, ky and they have come out bad..i dont even go outside with my son anymore (im scared of bugs!). my sister in law in upton, ky says they scatter everywhere when she opens her front door. ewwww. thier so nasty!

Comment by nicole — June 8, 2008 [AT] 11:06 am

Hello Jennifer,

Thanks for responding. I will go to those spots today. I am trying to assist UCONN in mapping LI. Anyother spots that people have heard strong chorusing please let me know. I personally heard them in East Setauket and Port Jefferson. I drove through Miller Place and did not hear them. I think Dix Hills is delayed. Will keep a close eye on there.
Enjoy!

Comment by Elias — June 8, 2008 [AT] 10:05 am

Re: Natural Bridge and Red River Gorge

They are currently EVERYWHERE. Friends of ours just returned from camping and they ended up leaving early. It was just too much to take!

Comment by Lisa — June 8, 2008 [AT] 7:30 am

We are planning a trip to stay in a cabin near the Natural Bridge State Park and Red River Gorge the week of June 23rd. Does anyone know if the magicicada have already been there?

Comment by Carol — June 7, 2008 [AT] 10:55 pm

There is a decent choruses and shells on trees & adults on Pennequid Road and on Windside Lane in Coram,Long Island- NY. These streets are off of Wedgewood Drive. I’ve been driving by about every other day. Can’t get enough!

Comment by Jennifer — June 7, 2008 [AT] 9:10 pm

Hello all,
Just finished covering a fairly large portion of Long Island. Dix Hills is pretty quite at present. Heard only 1 male calling in Otsego Park and not too many exuviae. Commack was quiet too (saw many emerging 1 week ago). East Setauket and Port Jefferson had some nice strong choruses. Some spots still had tenerals (younger adults).

Replicated an interesting experiment that I learned from Gerry Bunker. If you snap your fingers near a male while it is calling, he thinks its a female wing flick response. He will then alter his calling by decreasing the pause time between calls. If you immitate a male call during this time, you can hear the “interference buzz”. Was able to produce this today. Will return tomorrow. If any other LI locations have really strong emergences, please post here so I can visit!

Comment by Elias — June 7, 2008 [AT] 8:00 pm

In Huntington, WV right off Ritter Park. They are everywhere. I was having an outdoor wedding and during the ceremony one landed on my head, I just brushed him away and continued the ceremony. What else can you do, but it makes a great memory and I’ll be thinking about that again in 17 years.

Comment by Stephanie — June 7, 2008 [AT] 4:21 pm

In Louisville, on Shelbyville Rd. East off the Gene Snyder Pkwy., it is ONE GIANT SWARM. They are EVERYWHERE. And they won’t shut up!

Last night, my husband was working on our lawn. At one point, while weedeating and edging, he had 5 on his shoulders and many more circling his head. I, on the other hand, was swatting them with — what else — our ADT sign!

Comment by Lisa — June 7, 2008 [AT] 4:17 pm

I live in Deer Park (Cincinnati), it has gotten warmer in the last few days and the cicadas are out in full force. It is so loud outside you can’t even stand to be out for more than a few minutes and they are everywhere. They were in our area a few years ago and I thought it was bad but this is worse. I’ll be glad when they are gone, they really creep me out.

Comment by Patti — June 7, 2008 [AT] 3:00 pm

Over the last week Cicadas have been absolutely SWARMING, we had a bonfire last night and hundreds of them came out to enjoy it with us. Im looking out my window now and its just a constant thing. at any given moment there four or five of them flying past the window!! There are thousands of them on my honeysuckle bushes, they’d be okay if they didnt fly into my hair everytime i went outside! Yikes!

Comment by Adrienne — June 7, 2008 [AT] 11:10 am

They came here in the northern mid Tennessee area ( almost on KY border) right after Mothers Day. I live in the country with lots and lots of trees and its totally annoying. They are loud, everywhere and constantly landing in my pool, house, in the house and on me when doing garden work. If I put a water hose to my young trees in my yard they fly out in masses. Its actually pretty freaky. I want to know how long this will last. I am so ready for them to die off. The noise has my family that came to visit freaked out because they had never heard such a thing. I totld my 14 yr old daughter this is a great science project…start collecting specimens and taking pics…lol

Comment by Deborah Barber — June 7, 2008 [AT] 4:59 am

Over the past few days in Nicholasville, KY the temperature has creeped into the low 90’s and the cicadas are everywhere. Sitting in the house it is almost hard to concentrate on anything else but the sound. No buy horror movies for me for awhile. I will be glad when they move on. Hard to enjoy the yard, feels like you are being attacked. Shew!!

Comment by Eric — June 6, 2008 [AT] 4:39 pm

They just emerged in Bellefonte PA. Boy are they ugly and my dogs are having a ball eating and playing with them…Ewwwwww!!!

Comment by Chris — June 6, 2008 [AT] 3:02 pm

Here in Cincinnati, I saw a few of these today. It is, however, VERY loud outside! It is usually never this loud, this early.

Comment by TeacherE — June 6, 2008 [AT] 1:55 pm

Here in Harrodsburg Kentucky, they are swarming all over the place. It wasn’t so bad when they were just in my trees, but now they are all over they place….flying into my house. The noise it the worst part of it…..I feel like I am going crazy & there is no way to escape them. Millions all over the place….& all that, just on my 10 acres

Comment by Deborah A Klinkner — June 5, 2008 [AT] 1:37 pm

zillions of cicadas at the white deer golf course in montgomery,pa.
lower lycoming county in
pennsylvania.
several hung on my neck as we played today.
played well however.

Comment by c.b.henry — June 5, 2008 [AT] 12:54 pm

Thanks for the information Dan. I looked at the emergence map and I can’t believe that Long Island only has a mild emergence. I feel bad for you folks in KY!

Comment by Laurie — June 5, 2008 [AT] 10:04 am

I was working in Grundy, Virginia today and these things were everywhere. The guys told me they bite and wanted to know if I was allergic to them. I don’t know if they were teasing me or not, but I’m highly allergic to bees, so it kind of scared me. They fact they were dive bombing me and sounded like they were screaming didn’t make matters better. They were everywhere. It sounded like thousands of them and they were everywhere!

Comment by Michelle — June 4, 2008 [AT] 4:27 pm

I have still seen only M. septendecim in Lenoir, NC. I’m finding many dead ones (mostly males), some having frayed wings.

Is anyone finding either of the other two species (septendecula and cassini) anywhere? In case you are not familiar, these are smaller than the M. septendecim which has extensive orange on the underside of the abdomen and a “WEEEE-owe” song (more appropriate description for today’s economy!).

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — June 4, 2008 [AT] 4:26 pm

WOW!!! We just had our annual Disc Golf Tournament at Charlie Vettiner Park in Jeffersontown (Louisville) Kentucky on May 31st and June 1st. There weren’t any the week before the tournament. By Wendsday they had taken over. The woods are just loaded with them by the millions. The trees look like they are flooding out of them, it’s crazy. I’ve seen them before but never to this magnitude. The out of towners were also amazed at this site! So next year we are going to have Discs printed with piles of there dead shells, how cool is that? Anyhow if anyone would like to here how loud they are I have some nice videos posted . Although I was not trying to film them, I was trying to film the tournament. Seems though they are louder than most people. The address is: https://discgolfer.ning.com/profile/KADGA

Go to the bottom of my page until you see the videos. There are about 50 of them all from June 1st at the same park.

Comment by Russell Gore — June 4, 2008 [AT] 1:35 pm

OMG!!!!! I’m feeling plagued! Is this what Pharoh had? I understand that these are also called locusts. My daughter and I are stepping on every one that we come across in the yard!!!! (We are not even making a dent in the population around our house) Nicholasville, Kentucky.

Comment by Teresa — June 4, 2008 [AT] 1:11 pm

Diane — it should last 3 to 4 weeks. The female cuts grooves in branches with her ovipositor and that is where she lays her eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the young nymphs fall to the ground where the dig, and then spend their next 17 years.

Laurie — the emergence should end in 3 to 4 weeks.

Comment by Dan — June 4, 2008 [AT] 8:04 am

I live in East Setauket, Long Island, NY and we first saw them on the Saturday just before Memorial Day and they are still coming strong! We have them all over the trees, lawn, driveway, street and even on the mailbox, stop signs and my wheels on my truck! They just started the singing a few days ago and it comes and goes. Right now it is quiet as it is raining. My kids actually have brought them to school to show the class as not everyone has them. My dog and a few of my friends dogs all seem to eat them…..gross!! Does anyone know for how long this will last? Do the female fly underground in the original holes to lay the eggs?

Comment by Diane — June 4, 2008 [AT] 7:58 am

I live in Mastic NY just east of the Brookhaven Airport and these cicadas have been emerging for a little over a week. They are huge and ugly and they leave their exoskeletons all over the place. I have seen many shells on my shed, covering telephone poles. When can I expect this emergence to end?

Comment by Laurie — June 4, 2008 [AT] 4:57 am

Ed they are in mcdermott ohio the ;ones with the red eyes

Comment by terri jo — June 4, 2008 [AT] 4:48 am

I’ll be in the Florence, KY/Cincinnati, OH area this weekend and was wondering if anyone could recommend some local nature preserves/city parks where I could find a large number of cicadas to photograph. I have been doing searches online but haven’t been able to find much.

Thank you

Comment by Tim — June 4, 2008 [AT] 4:03 am

Ed — most of the time the wings become deformed when they’re in their soft white teneral state, and they fall off the tree and damage their wings.

Comment by Dan — June 3, 2008 [AT] 7:38 pm

There is a large ammount of cicadas in Peebles, Ohio. I have tried to take as many photographs of the occurance as possible. The cicadas are molting in a 30 foot Maple tree then moving to a large elm and singing. There are literally thousands of molted skins on the trees in my yard which include a Wild Cherry, Several Maples, Crab Apples, Weeping Cherry, and even on the Spruce trees. It is spectacular as I do not recall a brood as large as this in my lifetime.

Comment by Ken — June 3, 2008 [AT] 7:21 pm

Went to Loveland to see the cicada’s. Stopped at a school off I275/Loveland exit. They were out but nothing major in my view. What caught my attention was the seemingly large number of deformed cicada’s that could not fly. Are deformities just a typical outcome of large outbreaks of cicada’s?

Comment by Ed — June 3, 2008 [AT] 4:37 pm

I live in Alexandria, VA. This past Friday I heard a couple of the little type 17 year cicadas! These are the ones with the high-pitched whine with clicking. These must be the current brood that is in Ohio. But there are definately a few around here. I have heard a couple of the regular “pharough” singing types also. So for sure a few are down here in NOVA.
Fred

Comment by Fred Berry — June 3, 2008 [AT] 9:16 am

I live in Alexandria, VA. This past Friday I heard a couple of the little type 17 year cicadas! These are the ones with the high-pitched whine with clicking. These must be the current brood that is in Ohio. But there are definately a few around hee. I have heard a couple of the regular “pharough” singing types also. So for sure a few are down here in NOVA.
Fred

Comment by Fred Berry — June 3, 2008 [AT] 9:15 am

Sheena — the wings can get crumpled when they fall off the tree when the wings are still soft.

Leo — cool weather definitely slows them down, but the weather should be hot at the end of the week.

Michael — all cicadas are white when the first emerge.

Comment by Dan — June 3, 2008 [AT] 8:54 am

Here in Madeira (Cincinnati), Ohio, there are thousands in my backyard (I have a big yard filled with older trees). On one of my bigger trees, I see hundreds on the tree trunk, and then at the base of that tree trunk there are hundreds of shells in piles, as well as live adult cicadas milling about. Their singing is pretty loud in the afternoons nowadays—it comes in deafening waves. I don’t notice the birds going after them like I did with the “west-side brood” that emerged a few years ago. I guess the birds have already had their fill beginning Memorial Day weekend when they really started emerging. I have to admit, I am terrified of them. I’m anxious for July 4, when they’re out of here.

Comment by Lisa — June 3, 2008 [AT] 6:46 am

We live in southern WV, surrounded by woods and the Magicicadas are singing 24 hours a day. You can’t walk across the fields without brushing them out of your hair and the trees are covered. We haven’t seen too much damage at this point and frankly, we enjoy their song at night. The down side is that now we can’t hear the birds…..or anything else for that matter. Our dogs really like crunching on the shells……kinda’ like potato chips.

Comment by Jill Glenn — June 2, 2008 [AT] 8:30 pm

Julian, PA 16844
May 30
just one so far.

Comment by Leslie Demmert — June 2, 2008 [AT] 4:44 pm

i am in lexington kentucky and there are prob 3 to 4 thousand cicada shells in my back yard. they started showing up about two days ago and they are still coming, the odd things are that they have not come up anywhere but in our back yard, our neighbors trees have been untouched and on top of that they are not making any sound!!!

Comment by nick — June 2, 2008 [AT] 3:33 pm

I’m in Deer Park (Cincinnati). About 3 weeks ago I was digging up some garden beds, and noticed a bunch of cicadas near the surface of the ground. The first ones came up around the 21st or 22nd of May, and as of today-May 31st-we have a full on cicada onslaught! My kids enjoy playing with them, but don’t play outside for too long because there are just too many. I thought it was cool for the first few days, but I’m ready for them to be gone now!

Comment by Kelly Waggoner — June 1, 2008 [AT] 11:15 am

I live in Crab Orchard Kentucky and the Cicadas are here in abundant amounts. You can hear their mating call very loudly everywhere you go.
I dont know if youve heard the story about the W or the P on their wings but today on inspection of one’s wing a W was very apparant.
W for war and P for peace.

Comment by Beth — May 31, 2008 [AT] 10:16 pm

I heard repots that Magicicadas were out in droves at the W. Kerr Scott Dam And Reservoir in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns in Wilkesboro, NC. I finally had a chance to get there yesterday and was not disapointed. There were many cicadas in the trees and in the air and strong choruses could be heard in patches of woods along the reservoir. I found several dead ones under some small trees.

I’ll be out near Port Jefferson on Long Island this coming Wed and Thurs, so I’m looking forward to having some more fun with Brood XIV up there.

Comment by Lenny — May 31, 2008 [AT] 8:32 pm

They are here on Cape Cod, MA…they are all over my beach grass.

Comment by Kathy — May 31, 2008 [AT] 5:30 pm

Hello all!

The emergence has definitely started here in Long Island. In Dix Hills Otsego Park I was able to locate only 7 adult cicadas and a few cast off exuvia (nymphal shells). Drove a little further north east to Commack and some trees were literally covered. Even mailboxes were not spared with 20-30 on each! Saw 3 nymphs molting in broad daylight. No chorus yet, it still seems early.

Comment by Elias — May 31, 2008 [AT] 4:26 pm

Up until this morning, we hadn’t heard a peep or seen the little critters, although elsewhere here in Louisville, many people have. Since we’re in a new development with houses no older than 3 years, we really thought we’d dodged the “invasion,” however, during our morning walk, we saw three or four hangin’ out on the street curbs. It’s important to note though, our entire subdivision is old farm land and, although the clay soil has been turned over and over due to homebuilding, the entire perimeter is very heavily wooded. We noticed that Shelbyville, KY, which is about 7 miles down the road, saw their firsts a couple of weeks ago, so I guess they finally popped in our area. As for our location, we’re in the East End of Louisville, right off the Gene Snyder Pkwy. on Route 60 (Shelbyville Rd.). Our subdivision is about 4 miles East off the Snyder.

My husband and I just finished covering 58 — yes, I said 58 — new trees and shrubs that are Cicada favorites for egg-laying. Of course, our neighbors think we’ve lost our minds, but we’ll see whose trees are still green this time next year! We’ve spent entirely too much money on professional landscaping to let the horny little trysts of these bugs kill them off.

One more note, before moving here from Northern Kentucky, we had just made it through the 2004 invasion and the loud “weed-eater” type buzzing we’re hearing now — although quite deafening already — doesn’t begin to compare. They were dripping from everywhere and you couldn’t hear yourself think. Hopefully, it won’t be THAT bad. I’m inside our 2-story house with the AC on and I can hear them still.

What bugs will do for a little nookie!

Comment by Lisa — May 31, 2008 [AT] 1:58 pm

They started coming out about 28th of May here in East Asheville, close to Fairview, NC. The woods nearby have seperate groups of thousands. I saw a bear on the trail not 1/2 a mile from the road. I guess they like to eat them as much as my dog does! People on the phone can hear them and think there’s a tornado going by!

Comment by Katie — May 31, 2008 [AT] 3:54 am

Yes, they’re here in Pickett County TN. Actually I don’t know when they started singing because we were camping at Cades Cove campground in the GSMNP from May 21st through the 24th. I heard the noise and told my husband that people were running their generators. He said, “If that’s a generator it’s got a bad bearing”. When we got home, sure enough our woods were full of “generators” too. Today they’re flying around and being eaten by the birds.

Comment by anita — May 30, 2008 [AT] 5:41 pm

We saw our first one today. For the last two weeks we had been seeing the ones still in the ground, didn’t know what it was.Now we know. I remember them all to well.We are in Falmouth,MA that is Cape Cod if your not sure.

Comment by sara — May 30, 2008 [AT] 2:46 pm

They’re just getting started here in McDowell County (southern WV). Found one of the ones that hadnt hardened yet (still light colored) in my dog’s water dish a couple days ago, and the song is just starting. Today’s the first day i’ve really noticed it, and its not super loud yet. Bradshaw/Raysal, wv

Comment by Kevin — May 30, 2008 [AT] 1:16 pm

Our home is surrounded, literally, by the Pisgah national Forest in Western NC. The Cicadas have been singing loudly now for over a week, and they are leaving their shells everywhere. There are tens of thousands of them! I had a male get caught in my hair this morning when I went out to water the garden. I didn’t know he had hitched a ride until I got in the house, then he was tangled in my hair, finally he got free and flew up and sat on the wall, screaming loudly until I put him back outside. It’s cool to hear them, but I look forward to the quiet of our mountain when these guys are gone! We live between Marion and Spruce Pine, in the shadow of Mt. Mitchell—it’s off 221 N. if anyone’s searching to experience this brood’s emergence.

Comment by Susan — May 30, 2008 [AT] 8:15 am

Very disappointed so far here in Nashville. I had maybe 40 or so emerge in my yard earlier in the week, but none since. It’s nothing like the Brood 19 emergence back in 1998, which was massive. I took a road-trip North on I-65 today into Kentucky, and could hear them chorusing with my windows up!

Comment by Casbah — May 29, 2008 [AT] 5:04 pm

I live in Springfield, KY and these cicadas are everywhere. The empty shells are piling up under my maple trees. You can’t walk across the yard without them crunching under your feet. They were even trying to cling to our clothes last weekend as we were sitting outside at dusk enjoying the evening and grilling out. It’s great hearing them sing!

Comment by Angela — May 29, 2008 [AT] 1:59 pm

We first noticed the emergence three days ago on our 13 acre spread 4 miles west of Harrodsburg, KY. There seems to be ‘groups’ of them on our property. Some have started singing and are in the tree tops. Some (fully developed) are nearer the ground, are slow moving and are not singing. A few appear to have deformed wings and bodies?? Or maybe they are not finshed developing?? It’s been intersting a d educational to read about them on this site…KUDOS!

Comment by sheenah — May 29, 2008 [AT] 1:54 pm

I live in Mars Hill, NC (l5 miles north of Asheville), and there are over a thousand living and dead cicadas — with the red eyes— on my property and on my house…Astounding! I first noticed them a week ago…Then I started seeing the empty shells clinging to my fence, and every day there are dying ones on my car tires. They also climb my house to die…

Comment by Tobie Bradshaw — May 28, 2008 [AT] 5:36 pm

I also live in Long Island, East Setauket area and there are hundreds all over the trees and even on the ground too. The birds are eating away……I love the birds! They are big and pretty gross looking……but my kids think it is really cool!

Comment by Diane — May 28, 2008 [AT] 12:05 pm

I spotted a few over Memorial Day weekend. This morning( Wednesday) they are all over the place. Last time was 1991. I live on Long Island in the Port Jeff -Setauket area…eww

Comment by Helen — May 28, 2008 [AT] 10:01 am

I live in Stanford, KY and I am seing many nymphs emerge and some adults flying in my back yard. I went up to Lancaster, KY on Monday (5/26) and saw much of the same thing. None are singing yet. Could the cool weather of late here be slowing that down? The last time I had experience with these insects was in Cincinnati, Ohio in the late 80′s.

Comment by Leo Cormier — May 28, 2008 [AT] 8:13 am

I found a cicada that was White(light coloured) on my house today. is this normal ? i took a picture if anybody would like to see it. ive always thought ALL cicadas were dark coloured.

Comment by michael — May 28, 2008 [AT] 7:21 am

There are hundreds of these little gadgets that have emerged in my Cookeville, TN, wooded backyard. The sound is deafening and quite surreal. I’m loving it!

Comment by Linda Harp, Cookeville, TN — May 28, 2008 [AT] 7:17 am

Forgot to say where…Flemingsburg Kentucky!!

Comment by Cara, Jeff & Haley Doyle — May 27, 2008 [AT] 6:53 pm

We have hundreds of Cicadas in our yard!!

Comment by Cara, Jeff & Haley Doyle — May 27, 2008 [AT] 6:52 pm

Millions and Millions all over eastern TN. It was slower to start this year then in 1991 and the chorus just went into full swing last week. To say it is a spectacle would be an understatement.

Comment by Magi Cicada — May 27, 2008 [AT] 4:56 pm

I have to “eat” my words (posted May 11) about cicadas probably not going to appear in Lenoir, NC! One can now hear their “chorus” in the trees near Greer Laboratories (William White Drive at jct Nuway Circle). I have seen only M. septendecim so far. They have been present for at least a week, and mating pairs can be easily seen.

Bob Jacobson

Comment by Bob Jacobson — May 27, 2008 [AT] 2:47 pm

Here in Danville KY, (or rather very near Perryville) they have just started their “singing” today. I’ve been watching them for the past several days molting and wandering about. Now the sounds are starting up. It’s very cool, as I love sounds like this being an ambient music fan.

…….rob

Comment by Rob — May 27, 2008 [AT] 12:49 pm

They are every where here in New Hope, Ky. This is the first time I have ever heard them like this. I am 22 years old so the last time they emerged I was only 4 or 5 lived in northern Ohio and don’t remember. It is really neat to hear them.

Comment by Vanessa — May 27, 2008 [AT] 11:30 am

live in knott county kentucky theres so many it sounds like a space ship hovering over the mountians.

Comment by jason — May 27, 2008 [AT] 10:40 am

We live 9 miles north of Cookeville, TN. In the past two weeks, the noise from the ‘little buggers’ has become intense. They are localized to an area just West and North of Hardy’s Chapel (off Hwy 136). We’ve explored some of the surrounding woods and find literally thousands of holes in the ground where they have exited.

Comment by Don — May 27, 2008 [AT] 8:04 am

They are coming out by the thousands in my yard. I live in LaGrange, KY. I know that Otter Creek Park (Meade Co., KY) will have them, because in 1991 I worked there , and they had a heavy emergence.

Comment by rodney — May 27, 2008 [AT] 5:41 am

Memorial day weekend! I will remember Memorial day weekend 2008 for a long time. Upper East Tennessee, Grainger County, close to Knoxville in the foothills of Appalachin Mountains. Loud clicking noise all weekend especially in the Morning. Exoskeletons all over the yard. Holes all over yard about the size of pencil erasers. We have found live ones, our cats eat them. I missed them coming out of the holes but they let me know they were there.

Comment by Conman — May 26, 2008 [AT] 11:15 pm

Hello Keni Marie and Denise,
Here are some answers to your questions:
1. We saw one cicada that was stuck coming out of shell…will they eventually free themselves?
When a cicada nymph gets stuck in it’s shell while molting it is almost always fatal for the cicada. There are many factors that can cause this like damage from a fall from a tree, interaction with other nymphs (pinching), or simple dehydration.
2. Are ants predators?
Yes, I have personally seen ants “gang up” on molting nymphs & use them for food.
3. How many different types of trees do cicadas like?
When it comes to molting, nymphs don’t have much of a preference as long as they can find an upright surface to molt on. When it comes to adults however the females like laying their eggs in tree branches of Boxelder, Ash, Oak, Maple, & other various species. They don’t like Cherry or Pine trees because the holes that the females lay their eggs in will get “gummed up” & the baby nymphs can’t escape the branch. Studies have shown that Osage Orange gets pretty much left alone as well because the wood is extremely hard.

Thanks,
Roy

Comment by Roy Troutman — May 26, 2008 [AT] 10:12 pm

We were visiting our cabin in Ferguson, NC (in the lower elevations of the Blue Ridge Mtns) this memorial day weekend and saw (and heard, of course) lots of Magicicada! There were lots of holes all in the ground and empty “shells” in the trees. What a neat experience! Never remember hearing that many humming in unison at one time!!! The kids enjoyed it as well—-and it got them away from video gaming (for awhile at least 🙂 Love your web-site!

Comment by Paula Teander — May 26, 2008 [AT] 7:49 pm

Dug up some immature nymphs yesterday in Dix Hills, Suffolk County Long Island. One tree had about 60 exit holes beneath it. The woods are quite, no adult cicadas seen yet. This weekend was beautiful. Hope the emergence will be on the way soon!

Comment by Elias — May 26, 2008 [AT] 7:11 pm

I have seen several hundred cicadas in my backyard…several of them have malformed wings and a couple deformed bodies. I am located in Oldham County KY.

Comment by Molly — May 26, 2008 [AT] 6:51 pm

Hi! my daughter (6) and I want to report a great cicada sighting. There seem to be many everywhere all over our property in Sevierville Tennessee. They seem to really like box elder trees. Thank you for teaching us all about cicadas (great homeschool project). We have watched different stages of the Cicadas-coming out of the ground as nymphs and then coming out of the shell and then lots of adult cicadas flying around. We saw the blue birds munching on a cicada. Yum! Keni has some questions: We saw one cicada that was stuck coming out of shell…will they eventually free themselves? Are ants predators? How many different types of trees do cicadas like?

Comment by Keni Marie and Denise — May 26, 2008 [AT] 6:35 pm

We just spent Memorial Day at Stone Door in the Cumberland Plateau area of TN. As we sat in our campsite, we saw them emerge from the ground, climb up the trees, and shed their shells. It was amazing to see the progression throughout the evening and night! The hum is different than any other I’ve heard and sounds a little like electrical wires at times 🙂 I like to wear a shell on my shirt (a “cicada broach”) in honor of the hatch.

Comment by Lisa Pellegrin — May 26, 2008 [AT] 5:50 pm

Thousands of emerging cicadas on my trees here in Jessamine County.

Comment by Mark Sawyer — May 26, 2008 [AT] 2:00 pm

During a school field trip last Friday to the Lincoln Boyhood Home in Hodgenville, KY, we saw hundreds of cicada shells and emerging cicadas. I don’t have any at my house in Lebanon, KY yet, but there are quite a few at my parents’ farm a few miles south of me.

Comment by Katherine Smith — May 26, 2008 [AT] 12:12 pm

We live in an apartment in West Chester, Ohio And there are Magicicadas in the woods behind us. There are not a lot of them yet.

Comment by Maria & Jazmin — May 26, 2008 [AT] 8:00 am

Earthy home
long endured.

Warm awakening
to light above.

Journey of peril
new beginning.

Drone enraptured
life encircling.

Comment by Charlie — May 25, 2008 [AT] 12:12 pm

I live in K.Y. and they are all over my house. Because i have a wood house

Comment by Andrew — May 25, 2008 [AT] 11:23 am

If anyone is seeing or hearing cicadas around the area of Wilkesboro/Moravian Falls, NC, please provide a general or specific location. I’m planning on going there soon to try and find some. Thanks!

Comment by Lenny — May 25, 2008 [AT] 10:19 am

There emerging in Letcher county Ky. We live on the Va. Border. You can hear them inside our house with everything shut

Comment by Mike — May 25, 2008 [AT] 9:53 am

They are emerging in Jenkins Ky Va. Border

Comment by Mike — May 25, 2008 [AT] 9:51 am

I live in Asheville North Carolina, and we have the Magicicadas everywhere. In our yard I believe I have saw at least 3,000 or more of them. They are everywhere even in our garden on our trees and shrubs, and Im beginning to fear for the safety of our garden. They are also in Weaverville North Carolina where my aunt lives. She said she cant even sit outside for them swarming.

Comment by Connie — May 25, 2008 [AT] 8:47 am

Can anyone in the area of Wilkesboro/Moravian Falls, NC provide a specific location for where they’re seeing or hearing cicadas. I’d like to get over there this week and check it out. Thanks!

Comment by Lenny — May 25, 2008 [AT] 7:02 am

May 22, 2008 They are in Louisville
(J-town) I have only seen them in my yard, and a little in my neighbors yard! The kids are all coming down collecting them! we have millions. We used to have a tree where they are coming up, but we took down the tree a couple of years ago! So they are holding on to the blades of grass! Everywhere you step there is a ton!

Comment by Kristie — May 24, 2008 [AT] 10:37 pm

May 24, 2008. Two miles east of Rareden, Ohio or one mile east of Brush Creek State Park office. On Route 73. While putting flowers in the local cemetary, found significant number of shells leading to numerous Magicicada’s. No noise, just idle cicada’s that looked almost moist in the wings like they are just molting and in final stages of drying out. Most shells were typical tan. A couple were blotchy dark (almost black) which may not mean anything but thought I’d mention it. Weather was clear and very warm. Tiger Swallowtails were extremely numerous. Suspect tomorrow will be really see the outpouring if there is to be one.

Comment by Ed — May 24, 2008 [AT] 2:09 pm

Here in Muddy Pond ,Tennessee they are alive. I can here them over my tractor noise. Probable ten gillion

Comment by gmurphy — May 24, 2008 [AT] 8:57 am

Morning of May 24, 2008. Replacing coarse sand in between my pavers and my nephew and I noticed holes all over and Cicadas poking out and all over joints and under pavers. We live in Bear Gap, Pennsylvania 17824 and in a wooded lot (Columbia County). I have a feeling from the amount of holes we are going to have to wear earplugs in a little while!

Comment by Susan Blase — May 24, 2008 [AT] 8:07 am

Northern McCreary Co., KY This is unreal!!! The cicada “song” is so loud outside that it is literally deafening. They can be heard in our house without a single window being raised. Our entire yard is “moving”. I fear for the foundation of our house with all of the holes that are being created in our yard. It is unbelieveable, there are thousands of them everywhere. I’m really trying not to be freaked out by this, but the sheer enormity of their numbers seriously alarms me. My husband had to turn our outside lights off because they seemed drawn to the house and the lights.

Comment by Karen — May 23, 2008 [AT] 10:20 pm

Bowling Green, KY
Home of the Corvette

Hundreds coming up in my front and backyards…moulting evidence on the maple trees. They’re still coming out of the ground! This is the first time I’ve seen so many at our house. We’ve lived here 4 years! Quickly becoming a cicada enthusiast!

Comment by Leann — May 23, 2008 [AT] 6:03 pm

Richmond, KY, 05-23-2008. They began emerging 2 evenings ago in my yard. This evening the grass is moving as hundreds emerge and head for a place to climb. Am afraid to walk in the grass as the sun sets as I know I’d probably step on dozens of cousins. I’ve placed a few on a tree on the back porch so the children can watch them climb and molt this evening and early tomorrow. It’s amazing and wonderful to see once again!

Comment by June — May 23, 2008 [AT] 6:01 pm

Dug up a nymph when I was planting flowers in my backyard. Also found a shell under my oak tree in the front yard. (Silverton (Cincinnati), OH)

Comment by Cathy — May 23, 2008 [AT] 4:16 pm

There are hundreds in my yard in Huntington, West Virginia and I’m really trying not to be creeped out by them. It seems they’re mostly attracted to my wrought-iron fence.

Comment by Becca — May 23, 2008 [AT] 12:55 pm

I live in Frankfort, KY and I went out to feed the cat and noticed there were 4 that had already emerged just sitting on the porch with their shells scattered about. In the back yard there are holes all along the spots where grass doesn’t grow close to the house. But in the front yard, there are several clinging to the trees there and shells littering the bottoms. Haven’t seen the lawn “moving” but the one’s who have sure are getting a treat!

Comment by Verna — May 23, 2008 [AT] 10:04 am

Asheville, NC (Specifically off New Stock Road north of town) — I’m listening to them ‘sing’ out my window in beautiful Asheville, NC as I type. Our neighbors yard looks like it is moving there are so many crawling around in there! How cool.

Comment by john.asheville — May 23, 2008 [AT] 8:59 am

Found 4 nymphs emerging at my home which is located in Batavia Ohio. Also saw 50+ emerging in Loveland Ohio last night as well. Looks like the emergence of Brood XIV is finally getting under way in Southwest Ohio!

Comment by Roy Troutman — May 22, 2008 [AT] 10:46 pm

5/22: Radcliff, Hardin County KY. Saw one or two the other day. Tonight the yard looks alive as hundreds, perhaps thousands have emerged in the lawn and are moving toward what they hope will be high ground. It’s an amazing sight. I was overseas during the last emergence so am looking forward to experiencing this one (I think).

Comment by Mike — May 22, 2008 [AT] 7:32 pm

I am in Roan Mountain, Tennessee. I was just sitting outside on the porch and one landed on me. My ol man took some pictures of it. I came inside to investigate them. I heard about them the other day on the news. I remember learning about them when I was in the 4th grade. We collected the shells and the kid that got the most won something. They were everywhere. All over all the pine trees. They are really cool. I am glad I get to show and teach my little girl about them. We are going to look for more and take pictures after naps.

Comment by Dan_ziggy Stardust — May 22, 2008 [AT] 10:18 am

They are here in Jackson County,Ky.

Comment by Chuck — May 21, 2008 [AT] 10:05 pm

I brought back about 15 cicadas from Asheville to my home. They haven’t fared well. An interesting note is that one has developed the fungus that causes the abdomen to explode open and expose a white powder. It is currently still alive but I understand is sterile.

Comment by Kevin — May 20, 2008 [AT] 4:15 pm

Asheville, NC-Eastern Buncombe County: Our yard has been on the move for about four days now. The largest emergence was two days ago. Thousands in my yard alone. The singing has begun, and the droning seems to come from everywhere. What an incredible sight and learning opportunity for our kids. The house is covered with the critters. I had to stop my neighbor from trying to spray them. I told him it was futile, and they’d be gone soon enough. When I told him what they were, he understood we were witnessing something ancient and rare. My one quandary is, how am I ever going to mow my yard? And When? The yard is filling up with the dead or dying bugs. Kinda stinks…

Comment by Jim — May 20, 2008 [AT] 11:34 am

Here in Wilkesboro/Moravian Falls,NC in the Blue Ridge Mt. foothills. we have hundreds in our yard. Started about 10 days ago. Our fig tree was covered in them and we discovered they were all dead, but clinging to the leaves!
The sound of these things was driving us batty as we had never heard it before in our lives. Sounded like an alien space ship hovering over us! 🙂 Thanks for all this information. God is smiling as we behold His “wonders”.

Comment by Randy Bigbie — May 19, 2008 [AT] 7:26 pm

Several cicadas were discovered in the Pierce Community of Greensburg, in Green County Kentucky. They are coming out next to a large tulip poplar tree.

Comment by Cathy Decker — May 19, 2008 [AT] 2:02 pm

They have arrived in Adairville, KY 42202

Comment by PATRICIA COOPER — May 19, 2008 [AT] 12:32 pm

Good Morning To all:

I’m doing a radio news story on—of course the 17-year cicadas.

I’d like to interview someone via phone for 10-mins to talk about being a cicadas enthusiasts?

Thanks!
Rose Marie Holmes
Producer/Reporter
WABE 90.1-FM
678.686.0311- Office

Comment by Rose Marie Holmes — May 19, 2008 [AT] 8:13 am

THEY ARE HERE.

ADAIRVILLE, KY 42202

Comment by PATRICIA COOPER — May 19, 2008 [AT] 7:59 am

I found hundreds and hundreds in Cades Cove in the smokeys, specifically in the Methodist Church Cemetery.

Comment by Tarry Samsel — May 18, 2008 [AT] 6:31 pm

I just got back from a trip to Asheville, NC and can report that we found many, many in the Biltmore Forest town in the neighborhood surrounding the Biltmore Forest Country Club. Lots of calling occurring this morning that reminds me of a spring peeper treefrog chorus. We also observed and heard them to a lesser degree at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway just outside of Asheville. We observed many empty shells, unsuccessfully emerged bodies, malformed adults, and some normal adults.

Comment by Kevin — May 18, 2008 [AT] 3:42 pm

I live 7 miles south of Grayson Ky. Periodical cicadas began emerging about May 10 in open sunny areas.
Cool and more rain than usual, so no singing yet. Birds are preying on them- many cicada wings are on the ground under trees where they have been emerging.
Of the specimens I’ve inspected, I’ve seen male and female septendecim and cassini.

Comment by Brian — May 18, 2008 [AT] 3:01 pm

I’ve got several cicada photos here:

Splat!

I’ll be posting more photos an information here:

https://www.ashevilleblog.com

A BBC crew was in Asheville last week to do extensive filming of the emergence of the 17-year cicadas. North Asheville neighborhoods have several areas in which the bugs have come out and covered fences, trees, porches, etc.

Enjoy!

Comment by Jason Sandford — May 18, 2008 [AT] 10:00 am

I live in Floyd County Kentucky ans there are hundreds of them coming out.

Comment by john — May 17, 2008 [AT] 8:52 am

I live in Corbin KY and my house is COVERED!!!! They started coming out last week, and the ground and trees are moving with them. No one else in my neighborhood has them. Why could that be??

Comment by Tammy Smith — May 16, 2008 [AT] 11:48 am

I just moved to the southeast from the west coast. I live between Atlanta and Athens, Georgia, does anyone know if I will see any cicadas this summer?

Comment by Josh — May 16, 2008 [AT] 7:42 am

i live in east ky. have noticed cicadas emerging since the 12th. brobably have seen at least 100 new cicadas location is in paintsville,ky johnson co.

Comment by leslie spradlin — May 16, 2008 [AT] 6:57 am

Could the NC, especially Asheville/Spruce Pine area folks give directions to viewing locations. I plan to come up from Raleigh to see them. Missed them in 04 in DC although the newscasts were enticing.

Comment by Kevin — May 15, 2008 [AT] 6:44 pm

Hazard, Kentucky — The Cicada started slowly a week ago now are beginning to pick up speed. But the weather has been wet and no sound has been made thus far.

Comment by Greg Stamper — May 15, 2008 [AT] 3:02 pm

Thursday May 15th The cicadas are hatching in mass numbers in Huntington,West Virginia. They are dropping from my Grandmothers Oak Tree-lookout below!!

Comment by Pete — May 15, 2008 [AT] 7:08 am

During the last few days we have seen the cicadas a few at a time. Tonight they came out in thousands. All of them crawling across the grass to the trees, then up the trees no higher than approximately 25 feet. Location is Carter County half way between Johnson City and Elizabethton TN. My dogs like them as well. Can’t wait till they start singing. Don’t forget to report your sightings on this web site. Report them so they can be tracked.

Comment by Roy McGinnis — May 14, 2008 [AT] 7:43 pm

We are having a “hatch and a half” here on our lawn. May 14, 2008. Started about 1 week ago and tonight there are literly 1000s crawling all over the place. I’m 52 yrs old and have never seen so many! Location is in the very northeast end of Unicoi County, TN.
I have found it quite amazing. Our two dogs thinks they are all treats. We have to struggle to get them out of the yard and back in the house.

Comment by Rita Bobeana — May 14, 2008 [AT] 6:42 pm

An individual periodical cicada male is not as loud as an individual male from the summertime “annual” species. But the periodical ones are so much more numerous that they make more noise as a group.

After they emerge, periodical cicadas need five to seven days of decent weather before they are mature enough to starting singing and mating and egg-laying. Hence the quiet in the early going.

Comment by Dave — May 14, 2008 [AT] 1:51 pm

We have had a 17-year cicadas out in our yard for 5 days. They are quiet compared to our yearly summer time cicadas. They also seem to not harm the leaves they are on, or tree trunks. They are only in certain places in my yard and none of my friends at work or gym have them at all. I live in Asheville, N.C. very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are hundreds of them!

Comment by Nanci Perlstein — May 14, 2008 [AT] 10:18 am

My daughter and I just found a cicada walking in the grass of our front yard. It is the first we have seen this year. It has not molted yet. We found your website to learn more. Thanks for the extra info! Oh, by the way, we live in Louisville, KY.

Comment by Becca — May 13, 2008 [AT] 3:57 pm

In response to Lenny’s comment on May 4, I’m not sure the periodical cicadas are expected to emerge in Lenoir, NC this year, at least not in any great numbers. I currently live there but plan to go to Asheville and northward in the next couple weeks to look for cicadas. I’ll be interested in reading about large populations appearing in that area.

In any case, if I see any in Lenoir or elsewhere, I will report it. I will probably be visiting central PA, so I will check there, too.

Bob

Comment by Bob Jacobson — May 11, 2008 [AT] 7:03 pm

Hey Elias,
When the nymph starts getting the 2 black patches on it’s back (pronotum) it is getting close to being ready to molt. As far as I have seen they do not feed the last few weeks before emerging & molting but I still keep the soil moist so they don’t dehydrate.

Thx,
Roy

Comment by Roy Troutman — May 10, 2008 [AT] 9:24 pm

Hello all,

Just got back from Otsego Park. 59 degrees and no exuvia have been seen yet. Found 5 nymphs under rocks and logs. They made some nice mud turrets and chimneys. Some tops were closed, others were open.

Brought them home and housed them in my nymph terrarium. ONe of the nymphs from a week ago is getting darker. Will he emerge soon? Does anyone know if these nymphs still feed? Seems like the more I learn, the more questions I have LOL!

Comment by Elias — May 10, 2008 [AT] 7:09 pm

Interesting…I thought that the Athens OH area was Brood V (last out in 1999). If it is, then these are either really really late or really really early.

Comment by Dave Marshall — May 9, 2008 [AT] 2:43 pm

I saw my first cicada of the season today just outside Athens, Ohio. My attention was attracted by a blue jay that dove and pecked twice at something in a mowed lawn, and when he came up, he had a cicada in his beak!

So, though I had not expected to see them this far north, Brood XIV appears to be on the move!

PS: My daughter tells me she say a shell on our garage door just earlier this week. I haven’t heard any of them yet, Thank GOD, but I know it’s just a matter of time…

Comment by Kirk G — May 9, 2008 [AT] 1:33 pm

I’m in Asheville, NC — have had numerous holes for the past two weeks and today, May 8, found two shells about 6 feet up a maple tree.

Comment by Joanne Bartsch — May 8, 2008 [AT] 3:28 pm

Hello Andy,
Here are some short answers to your cicada questions:

1) How deep underground do the larvae live for the 17 years?
Nymphs usually stay 8 to 15 inches below the surface.
2) What is the life cycle? That is, how long as egg, larva, pupa (nymph?) and adult?
8 weeks or so for the egg, 17 years as a nymph, & about 3 or so weeks as an adult.
3) What does each stage do, where, and for how long?
Basically there are 5 nymphal “instars” or molts that the nymphs go through during their life. They will continue feeding until they die as adults.
4) Why do the eggs cause the unsightly goiter-like damage to some tree and shrub limbs?
Eggs don’t cause this damage, the ovipositing “slits” that females make when laying eggs cut off sap flow to the branch & sometimes make it wilt & die.
5) What are the holes in the ground? Are they temporary boroughs for insects waiting for “The Song” or have they left the ground?
Those are nymphal exit holes that they dig in the spring of the emergence (or summer before). They don’t wait for other adults to sing.
They will emerge when temps reach approximately 65 degress Farenheit.
6) By the way, how do they make those perfectly round holes, anyway? There is no apparent mound of soil like ants make.
They “push” the soil in with their 2 front claws like a cat kneeding on a blanket. If the soil is wet enough they do make small mounds of
dirt called “chimneys”.
7) Other than nets, is there a way to protect valued trees from the damage or repel the cicadas from them entirely?
The best solution is covering your tree with netting or cheesecloth. No other means will work efficiently.
8) Other than a food bonus for those birds and animals that eat them, are the Magicicada beneficial in any other known way?
They aerate the ground with their numerous exit tunnels & their decaying bodies will “fertilize” the soil with loads of nitrogen.

Hope this helps,
Roy

Comment by Roy Troutman — May 6, 2008 [AT] 2:11 pm

Hello again from Mashpee, MA. I last posted on April 22, after several days of very warm weather reaching mid 70’s. Since then, the number of holes has about doubled to as many as 1 every 8 inches (20 cm) in wooded areas as observed by raking away leaves and pine needles. The number elsewhere is about half that. I do not see as many in open areas of lawn or in lawn beneath individual trees, partly because the holes are simply harder to see in grassy areas. So far, the droning has not begun. The weather has been cool, around 45 at night and 65 days, and there were several days of spring rain. I did find a few white nymphs while picking up some construction wood cuttings I had left on the ground in the back yard last year.

Now, I have some questions for the experts:
1) How deep underground do the larvae live for the 17 years?
2) What is the life cycle? That is, how long as egg, larva, pupa (nymph?) and adult?
3) What does each stage do, where, and for how long?
4) Why do the eggs cause the unsightly goiter-like damage to some tree and shrub limbs?
5) What are the holes in the ground? Are they temporary boroughs for insects waiting for “The Song” or have they left the ground?
6) By the way, how do they make those perfectly round holes, anyway? There is no apparent mound of soil like ants make.
7) Other than nets, is there a way to protect valued trees from the damage or repel the cicadas from them entirely?
8) Other than a food bonus for those birds and animals that eat them, are the Magicicada beneficial in any other known way?

Your responses will help me as we tolerate this, to say the least, annoying visit again, although I will be reminded that at my age, it might be nice to have it happen again!!

Andy E

Comment by Andy — May 5, 2008 [AT] 8:58 pm

I just read my last post. Sorry, I meant 2004 for Brood X, not 2000.

Comment by Lenny — May 5, 2008 [AT] 7:35 am

I went searching for nymphs today around Lenoir, NC in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. No holes and no nymphs found. There are reports of nymphs being found close to the surface in Asheville but I haven’t heard any other reports for western North Carolina. I was on Long Island in 2000 when Brood X was a bust. I’m so happy to hear that Brood XIV should make a strong showing on the Island this year. I’ll keep checking for some action in western NC.

Comment by Lenny — May 4, 2008 [AT] 7:43 pm

Hello all,

2 nymphs are still alive. They do not yet seem ready to emerge yet as evidenced by their lack of pigment on their prothorax. Will keep you posted. May go out to find more sites on Tuesday.

Comment by Elias — May 4, 2008 [AT] 7:33 pm

Hi Roy,

Your guess is as good as mine on the meaning of the smaller and larger dots on earlier maps (I don’t have the 1940 study to look at). I’ll bet that at least some of the time they meant exactly what you suggest — differences between counties in the number of places reporting emergences, rather than differences in average emergence densities between counties. Either way it may be worth maintaining the distinction between counties with lots of records and counties with few.

Comment by David Marshall — May 2, 2008 [AT] 12:29 pm

Thanks Dave for the explaination of “heavy” vs “light” emergences. When I made the Brood XIV emergence map I was basing it primarily on the 1940 US Department of Agriculture brood study & the county records contained within it. I also used the 1988(Simon)revised map that Marlatt had made in 1907. I assumed that the smaller “dots” were areas with fewer satiated areas within the county but I could be mistaken. On future maps I may not have heavy or light designations.

Thx,
Roy

Comment by Roy Troutman — May 2, 2008 [AT] 9:27 am

Re: heavy versus light emergences:

Judgements about the density of the emergence are important for sorting out normal, on-schedule emergences of self-reproducing brood populations from the occasional off-schedule straggler emergences that sometimes occur (especially one or four years off).

These straggler emergences often get included accidentally in the records for the brood they happened to emerge with.

The important thing to know is that stragglers, when they occur, rarely do so in numbers that can “satiate” all of the predators. In contrast, normal brood populations come out by many thousands to hundreds of thousands per acre, satiating predators and allowing the individual cicadas to reproduce despite their “predator foolhardy” behavior.

So if you see evidence for only a handful of cicadas at a site (e.g., only one or two calling, or say less than a hundred in an acre), you can be reasonably sure that those cicadas are either (1) stragglers from another brood that is found at that site, (2), cicadas that were blown in by storms from a normal emerged population nearby, or (3) the very last dregs of a normal population that is dying out at that site. For those of us trying to work out brood distributions, it is important to distinguish between these clearly low-density situations and clearly normal-density emergences.

There is no way to accurately measure density without counting emergence holes or adults systematically — how do you quickly determine in a repeatable fashion if there are only hundreds and not thousands per acre? — but at least we can specifically note when an emergence appears to involve only very small numbers, in which case we have good reason to suspect that the population is not “self-reproducing”.

As a general rule of thumb, I think one can use the chorus sound as a guide to judging the extremes of population density. If the weather is warm and sunny, and the date is appropriate (i.e., the cicadas are supposed to be all out and mature), and you hear only isolated songs with no continuous background chorus sound, the emergence is much lighter than normal density, a “sparse” or light emergence. In such a situation, you will be able to hear the individual cicada males singing far away from you, e.g., in the tops of the trees.

If you hear a constant background chorus that drowns out the songs of all individual males except those very close to you, you are observing a population that is probably dense enough to reproduce itself.

There will be intermediate situations that will be tough to classify, and in those cases I avoid a judgement if there is no more detailed density information available. I just call those “intermediate” density. Fortunately, most populations will fit the “sparse” or “dense” categories (once the cicadas are all out). This convenient fact comes back to the basic need for periodical cicadas to satiate predators, and the fact that very very large numbers (thousands per acre or more at least) appear to be needed locally to accomplish that.

Again, these judgments depend on context — you have to know what the time, date, and weather conditions were in order to make use of the information.

Comment by David Marshall — May 2, 2008 [AT] 7:13 am

Hello all,

My two cicada nymphs are so far surviving in captivity. I am keeping them inside the house with a hope of accelerating their development. I wonder if anyone has tried to raise them indoors for their entire lifecycle. Hopeing to reproduce Matt Bergers findings. The are resting horizontally in their little burrows. Does anyone have any detailed information regarding towns in New York where the cicadas will come up. So far I have Dix Hills, Ronkokoma, Setauket, Stony Brook and Islip.

Comment by Elias — May 1, 2008 [AT] 4:28 pm

Thanks for the reply Roy. What does “heavy emergence” vs. “light emergence” mean? It’s like this: Imagine reading one random weather forecast from the past 365 days and a from a random city. The only thing written on this forecast is that the forecaster says that it will be “warm”. What does that mean? It could mean 65 degrees in January in Anchorage. Or it could mean 120 degrees in August in Phoenix.

I’m trying to get a sense of reference. Does “light emergence” mean 5 cicadas/acre or 5 trillion cicadas/acre? There must be a definition out there somewhere.

Comment by Kaman — May 1, 2008 [AT] 1:52 pm

Hi Jenny,
South-central Kentucky is well within the boundary of Brood XIV so I suspect that there will be areas near you with a heavy emergence. Ask neighbors that have lived in your area for over 17 years if they experienced a large emergence back in 1991.
I haven’t personally read any study on bright colors attracting cicadas but there might be one out there so don’t count out the possibility.

Thx,
Roy

Comment by Roy Troutman — April 30, 2008 [AT] 6:38 am

Hello,
I lived in Nashville during the emergence in 1998 (I believe that was the 13-year cicadas?). I now live in South Central KY and saw an article in yesterday’s paper stating the 17-year cicadas are due any day. The Nashville emergence I lived through was HUGE! Will this 17-year emergence be like that? The map shows a heavy emergence in my area…

Also, has there been any study on cicadas being attracted to bright colors? I seem to recall be “attacked” more when wearing bright colors last time!

Comment by Jenny — April 30, 2008 [AT] 5:50 am

Hello Elias,
I managed to keep a nymph alive for weeks back in 1987 when I built my first nymph terrarium during Brood X that year. I didn’t have as much luck in a jar back in 2004 as the soil was too wet & all the nymphs drowned (I think). I can add water daily to keep the soil moist in my current terrarium & allow enough drainage as not to over saturate the nymph’s burrows. I cannot prove this but I believe that nymphs take up water direct from pools in the soil so a root isn’t necessary.

Comment by Roy Troutman — April 29, 2008 [AT] 7:36 pm

Hello Roy

Thanks for your reply. I am utilizing a plastic jar as a nymph terrarium and observed similar behaviors. This is a first for me. My only question is, do the nymphs require feeding (e.g. proximity to a tree root) during this time before emergence?

Thanks again,
Elias

Comment by Elias — April 29, 2008 [AT] 7:18 pm

Hi Kaman,
That map is based on older data & may not be extremely accurate. There should still be scattered heavy emergences in your county & your best bet to find the heavier locations is to talk to folks that have been living there since before Brood XIV emerged in 1991. There is a combined effort this year to re-map Brood XIV so that the map will be much more accurate & up to date.

Thx,
Roy

Comment by Roy Troutman — April 29, 2008 [AT] 6:36 pm

Hey Elias,
Check out the comments section of “Nymps Digging In The Dirt” https://www.cicadamania.com/cicadas/cicada-nymphs-digging-in-the-dirt/#comments & it explains how I built a nymph terrarium. Here is link for a photo of the finished product: https://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l74/sbpstudios1/artificial_burrows.jpg

Hope this helps,
Roy

Comment by Roy Troutman — April 29, 2008 [AT] 6:30 pm

What is the definition of “Heavy Emergence” vs. “Light Emergence”? Does anyone know the density range accociated with these terms (#/yd2 or #/acre) I’m trying to get a sense of how large this emergence (2008) is expected to be in my area. What is the expected density in the Cincy/N KY area compared to the 1991 and 2004 infestations that hit this area? (I remember watching the news in 2004 about all the cicadas) I realize it’s a craps shoot with all the variables, but I’m just trying to get a general sense of things.

I’m a recent transplant to the Midwest after living most of my life on the West Coast, which don’t have these critters. I’m in Alexandria, Kentucky (a Cincy suburb). According your the B-XIV map, I see that my county (Campbell)is expected to have a “Heavy Emergence”, yet the next two counties to the east of me (Kenton, Boone)isn’t highlighted at all. (Look at the three northern most counties in KY on the map-nothing, nothing, heavy). What’s interesting is that the counties immediately north, south, east, and southwest of Kenton and Boone counties are”Heavy Emergence” counties, including mine. The expected B-XIV emergence “flowing around” these two counties reminds me of how water flows around a rock in a stream.

Comment by Kaman — April 29, 2008 [AT] 4:13 pm

Made a trip to Otsego Park today in Dix Hills, Suffolk County, NY. Today is 4/29/08 and it was rainy with an outside temp of 50 degrees F. By turning over a few logs in the woods, multiple exit holes were uncovered. A few mud turrets were seen too. Captured 3 immature nymphs. They are completely white with dark maroon eyes. I saw two additional nymphs move very quickly underground when I uncovered their tunnels. Does anyone have info on keeping the immature nymphs in captivity? I retained 2 specimens, one male and the other female. Looks good for the upcoming Long Island emergence!!

Comment by Elias — April 29, 2008 [AT] 4:03 pm

Hi Charleen,
It looks right now like the cicadas will start emerging about the middle of May & be in full chorus probably by the last week of May/1st week of June. If you live on the east side of I71 you will see heavier emergences with only scattered cicadas emerging west of there.

Thanks for posting,
Roy

Comment by Roy Troutman — April 27, 2008 [AT] 4:05 pm

when will the cicadas be in cincinnati

Comment by charleen — April 27, 2008 [AT] 3:55 pm

AFTER READING THESE IT WAS A NYMPH.

Comment by DENISE — April 24, 2008 [AT] 8:18 pm

WE FOUND THIS STRANGE BUT MY CHILDERN 10,9 &7 BURROWED IN THE DIRT/MUCH UNDER OUR SWINGSET. WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS. WE RESEARCHED AND RESEARCHED. WE KEPT IT FOR A WHILE (IT SEEMED HALF DEAD) WHEN WATCHING FOX NEWS IT SAID THESE WERE RETURNING THIS YEAR TO THE CAPE. WELL WE FOUND THIS INSECT ALREADY. IT DID NOT HAVE HUGE DEVELOPED WINGS YET IT WAS IN THE YELLOWISH STAGE. IT WAS BIG

Comment by DENISE — April 24, 2008 [AT] 8:15 pm

Hi Roy,

Thank you for responding to my question. I am in the Franklin Twp area and am a transplant from NH. So, I am interested in seeing if they emerge here. Jackie

Comment by Jackie — April 24, 2008 [AT] 4:43 am

May = April, sorry!

Comment by David — April 23, 2008 [AT] 12:33 am

Hi. I had a scare about 20 minutes ago. A saw a fully grown, giant (largest I’ve seen) Cicada in the middle of my bedroom floor. I have no idea how it got in, because I have screens on all windows and it wasn’t warm enough to keep the windows open anyway. The bedroom is on the second floor too! My main reason for the scare was that I thought they only come around in August and this is middle of May! I live in Northern New Jersey, across from NYC.

Comment by David — April 23, 2008 [AT] 12:32 am

The return of the 17 year Cicada to Mashpee
Submitted to Mashpee Enterprise

My wife and I live in Mashpee, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA. We moved here in 1980. Our first cicada experience was exactly 17 years ago, in the Spring of 1991. My Father-in-law was visiting us from Germany for only the second time, I am certain that the experience left him very happy to return to the Fatherland! The creatures began emerging, it seemed, simultaneously, but actually over three or four days. They quickly shed their shells, leaving great piles in some areas as they morphed into the winged adult stage. Now, as a veteran of the experience, I see the holes beginning to reappear, but only in small areas of my property. It may be another week or two before they emerge en-masse! I have two cherry trees that barely survived the last onslaught, I know of no defense, so I will simply write them off this time. The noise will be so irritating that, in spite of the fact that I have diminished hearing, we will probably try to travel away from the infested areas as often as we can. The bugs are about the size of the last two joints of a little finger and, as for flight and sight, well, in spite of their bright red eyes, they don’t seem to fly by sight, nor avoid anything. They will bump into nearly anything in their path. Now, here is the good news: Although the females are able to pierce thick bark on trees with an abdominal saw-like device, to deposit eggs, they can not bite and do not attempt to puncture humans. I suppose that one could be injured if you swat them so just pick them off or have a friend help if they get in your hair. There is no reason to panic. Friends and I experimented with, and cleaned up after, thousands of them in 1991. I have not done so, but I see that there are a number of recipes on the internet and that some people regard these as a true delicacy. If you do gather them for cooking, follow the instructions carefully and be sure they came from an area that has not been treated chemically for other grubs or insects.

I do regard this as an amazing event by a remarkable creature but I am thankful that they can wait 17 years between visits!
Andy Eliason, April 2008

Comment by Andy — April 22, 2008 [AT] 8:26 pm

Hello Jackie,
The old records from 1940 list the city of Compass, townships of Brandywine, Highland, Uwchlan, West Caln, West Nantmeal, & West Sadsbury in the emergence area. Keep in mind that these are outdated records & cicadas may not emerge there now. Please report here if you do see some this year: https://www.cicadamania.com/cicadas/periodical-cicada-brood-xiv-14-will-emerge-in-2025-in-thirteen-states/.

Thx,
Roy

Comment by Roy Troutman — April 21, 2008 [AT] 5:56 pm

Hi Daniel,
You may be on the very southern edge of the emergence area. A 1940 study indicated that the northern part of Davidson county saw an emergence. Let us know if you see any this year.

Thanks,
Roy

Comment by Roy Troutman — April 21, 2008 [AT] 5:55 pm

Does anyone from here know what to expect in Southeastern Pennsylvania? Specifically the Chester County area?

Comment by Jackie — April 21, 2008 [AT] 9:57 am

Anyone know what to expect for brood xiv in the Nashville Tennessee area?

Comment by Daniel — April 21, 2008 [AT] 9:49 am

When pulling weeds in my woods in Frankfort Kentucky (Franklin County) April 20 I found a nymph within an inch of the surface.

Comment by Charles Wrigh — April 20, 2008 [AT] 4:03 pm

I just noticed a bunch of holes at the Stop N Shop in Ronkonkoma on Long Island. I dug down a little with my hand to see if I could see anything and I saw my first nymph! I’m so excited!!

Comment by Jennifer — April 18, 2008 [AT] 12:38 pm

I just checked out my friend’s yard on Lodge Street in South Setauket. Seeing large numbers of round holes, I borrowed a shovel and unearthed a couple of dozen cicada nymphs, with their typical red eyes. I am going to try and keep them until they molt. I have a number of pictures to post. I actually saw one at the top of its burrow. It was a very warm day, about 80, unusual for Long Island so early in the year.

Comment by Andrew J Popper — April 17, 2008 [AT] 4:41 pm

My friend in Satauket LI has just dug up lots of nymphs and his yard is peppered with small round holes especially under a large oak tree. He is on Lodge Lane north of rte 347 and near Arrowhead Lane. I am going to CA for three weeks so i hope I hope I not miss the emergence.

Comment by Andrew J Popper — April 16, 2008 [AT] 5:23 pm

December 31, 2007

2007 Archive of Annual Cicada Sightings

Filed under: Annual | Brood XIII | Old Message Board — Dan @ 1:01 am

Although this post compiles Annual cicada sightings from 2007, is some Magicicada Brood XIII talk in the July-May comments. Comments are in reverse order.

I also live in an area of Australia where cicadas are hatching in droves. We’ve pulled dozens of casings off of the house alone, and today — so far- nearly a dozen have hatched. I’m rescuing lots off of my truck tyres. We have a rare type here, called the Orange Drummer. I’ve posted some pics on Flickr:

1_hatching_sm1

Comment by Jodi C. — November 26, 2007 [AT] 9:09 pm

Hi, I live in cicada heaven, which is in the Blue Mountains,west of Sydent in NSW Australia. Cicadas are found of all types and species. Any day in summer you can hear a chorus of cicadas which have been measured at over 150 decibels. You can literally walk up to any tree and pick them up off the trunk! Birds just fly up and eat them in front of you, but there are still cicada nymphs emerging in bright daylight (normally this only happens at night!) I think it has something to do with the unseasonally wet and cold weather we have been experiencing this summer. But anyway, I have loads of pics if you want to contact me: kevin [AT] padrepio.org.au
Blessings!

Comment by Fr Kevin Lee — November 15, 2007 [AT] 11:10 pm

It’s October. It has reached 92 degrees today (Aurora, Illinois) and I heard many, many cicadas.

A few days ago I also heard one in Naperville, Illinois.

I was actually surprised. But, I would understand since it is awfully warm out.

Comment by Daniela Barrios — October 7, 2007 [AT] 4:52 pm

A photo of a Masked Devil cicada that flew into my living room last night (in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales):
http://www.facebook.com/ph​oto.php?pid=341705&l=b46a1​&id=715264364

A shell I found a week ago:
http://www.facebook.com/ph​oto.php?pid=326996&l=2efbd​&id=715264364

Cheers!

Comment by Andrew Sweeney — October 3, 2007 [AT] 10:25 pm

Dan posted some of my videos of a singing cicada in Sacramento, CA recently. I also took still pictures of the cicada while shooting the video. Here are the links to the still shots:
http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/hardmf1/misc/?action=view&current=cicada6originalsizepic.jpg

http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/hardmf1/misc/?action=view&current=cicada2rightside.jpg

http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/hardmf1/misc/?action=view&current=cicada5originalsizepic.jpg

http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/hardmf1/misc/?action=view&current=cicada1originalsizepic.jpg

All I know is that it is some species of Okanagana.

Comment by Phoebe — September 14, 2007 [AT] 2:31 pm

I am not in anyway an expert ha ha , when it comes to cicatas , but from the pictures I have looked up I beleave I have found a common every year cicata its still emerging frome his exoskeliton ,I found him lieing on the ground on a sidewalk I knew he had fallin off of his resting spot and I knew if i left him their hed get step on or torchered by a human or something els so I plased him om my balcony and im worried he isnt emerging like normal , he is half way out and just stoped , I guess what Im trying to find out is how long would it normaly take the tibian cicada to leave the exoskelito ? hours , days ? or is it suposed to take a wile ,,, he obviously isnt in mutch ah hurry to go …. some one please help me understand this prosses better id be most gratfull to learn

Comment by edith — August 31, 2007 [AT] 12:05 am

I live just outside Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and recently found a beetle that I’ve never seen in this area — someone suggested it might be a cicada. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to snap a picture, but haven’t seen any on your site that look like this. Do cicadas live in this area, and if so, would they feed from a Mountain Ash tree? My mountain ash trees seem to have some disease or pest they’ve never had before, and these bugs are also new.

Comment by Michelle — August 28, 2007 [AT] 1:46 pm

I live in Sacramento, CA. I have seen cicadas in trees several times in the past week, and I hear them all over the place. I took a few videos of them. You can see the best one here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey5nMtPBjNs

I have several other videos, but YouTube’s search function hasn’t been working properly since July 25. When you search by “Date Added”, hardly any newer videos show up, including all my latest cicada sightings.

I also took a still picture of the cicada featured in my video link: http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s66/hardmf1/misc/?action=view&current=cicadainSacramentoCA7-25-07.jpg

Comment by Phoebe — July 30, 2007 [AT] 3:21 pm

Heard a strange noise. looked on the front screen. Found an incredibly strange insect I had never seen before. Finally figured out it was a cicada. We are in Northeast PA, and I think these are the 17-year deals. Crazy.

Comment by Eric — July 25, 2007 [AT] 7:14 pm

Hi guys,
I’m in Albuquerque for a conference, and last night around 8:30 heard what sounded like cicadas in a tree…where I grew up (Delaware) cicadas only call on hot afternoons. Was I really hearing cicadas? Or some other critter?
Thanks…

Comment by Melissa — July 20, 2007 [AT] 5:51 am

Hi Lindsey,
Those sound rather neat. If you can get a picture, post on this website and that could help identification

Comment by david — July 14, 2007 [AT] 4:09 pm

We live in Krum, Texas (near the Dallas/Fort Worth area) and for the past two years I have noticed some very tiny cicadas which come up from under our shrubs to sit on the porch screens. They are a mottled grey camouflage color, and measure only about 3/4 inch! They can almost be mistaken for horseflies. They do “buzz” like other cicadas if startled off the porch screen, but I don’t know what their particular song is like. I would like to know what they are, if anyone can tell me.

Comment by Lindsey Williams — July 14, 2007 [AT] 9:40 am

Hello all,

It has become very warm here in New York. For some reason the Tibicens are taking a while to come up. Possibly the unusually cool days may have delayed the emergence. I heard a Tibicen chloromera finally sing this AM. Caught an emerging nymph the night before, but none last night. The teneral adult is living amongst oak branches I have provided it and I am waiting for it to mature. Interested in seeing how long one could be kept in captivity (my record was 12 days for a periodical species) and if they would sing as well. (Had a septendecim that sang, the cassini did not). No T.lyricen heard as of yet. If anyone knows of any other species that inhabit the NY area let me know (Queens County and Long Island)

Comment by Elias — July 10, 2007 [AT] 7:49 am

Hello Dan,

Just recently purchased 25 cicadas rom Illinois. Unfortunatley due to the intervening Holiday (7/4), all dies except one. She is a septendecim female and still lives to today! I never knew periodicals could be found in July!! Here in Nassau county yesterday I heard a Tibicen Canicularis dsing at dusk and this morning in QUeens a Tibicen chlomera sang as well. Found an emerging nymph yesterday and placed him with the Magicada. Never thought I would see these two species side by side!!! Its been a great year for cicadas. Now its time for the Tibicens to take over.

Comment by Elias — July 9, 2007 [AT] 8:38 am

Amanda: if it’s a Tibicen cicada, then it’s perfectly normal. Tibicens emerge every year.

Comment by Dan Mozgai — July 3, 2007 [AT] 7:00 am

Apparantly one cicada is confused. We aren’t supposed to have a brood here within a couple of states this year, yet we found one hanging out with the June Bugs tonight. We are just outside Memphis, TN in North Mississippi. Not sure what’s up with that? TN is supposed to have a brood next year, maybe he came up a little early?

Comment by Amanda — July 2, 2007 [AT] 8:47 pm

Here in south Oak Park, Illinois, we just heard our first Annual Cicada, a Tibicen pruinosa singing about 45 minutes before sunset. Last year we heard our first T. pruinosa on June 27, although for several years before that we did not heard them until early July. We have been feeling seriously deprived of Periodical Cicadas in our neighborhood. We have to drive a few miles west, to the Des Plaines River floodplain, to see them in large numbers. At least we seem to be a bit ahead of the game with the Annual Cicadas!
Eric, Ethan, and Aaron Gyllenhaal
Kid’s Cicada Hunt

Comment by Eric Gyllenhaal — June 26, 2007 [AT] 6:12 pm

have there been cicada sightings in elkhorn Wisconsin? i’ll be there for a week and want to know how to prepare.

Comment by Peri — June 16, 2007 [AT] 7:37 pm

Interesting, I haven’t seen or heard(thank God) the little critters, but my man was driving to Tinley Park and while in traffic had the radio up quite a bit. He heards this high pitched sound, turned the radio off rolled the woindow down and he said it was like an invasion of millions of crickets. I laughed because 2 weeks before that I told him :The Cicadas are coming…” lol

Comment by Laurie and Mike — June 15, 2007 [AT] 10:44 pm

There’s plenty of cicadas in California, but they’re annual cicadas — they type that emerge every year in small numbers.

Comment by Dan — June 13, 2007 [AT] 4:46 pm

I don’t know what to make of it… this week, here in Santa Barbara, CA, I’ve heard that lovely, shrill singing of the cicadas. Not many of them & haven’t seen any, but I can hear them up in some trees. I travelled extensively through the South and lower Great Lakes in the summer of 2004, so I’m more than familiar with that distinctive sound. I wasn’t aware they lived in southern California, especially right on the coast like this… never have heard them before. Fluke of global warming or something? 🙂

Comment by C. Campbell — June 13, 2007 [AT] 4:42 pm

Over Memorial Day weekend we were at Railroad Park Campground, near Castle Crags, just south of Dunsmuir, California. We saw dozens of cicadas molting out of their nymph stage. They were mostly on the site marker posts for the campsites, but were also found on camp chairs, picnic tables and bicycle tires! I got a ton of photos of the emergence of the adults and the expansion and drying of the wings. I would gladly forward photos to someone who could identify the variety.

Comment by Rusty McMillan — June 11, 2007 [AT] 5:35 pm

P.S. SORRY, I LIVE IN CRYSTAL LAKE ILLINOIS.
LAURIE STEWART AGAIN!

Comment by LAURIE L. STEWART — June 11, 2007 [AT] 12:52 pm

HELP!!! I’M JUST TRYING TO FIND A MAP SHOWING WHERE THE CICADAS ARE. I WANT SO TO SEE THE MIRACLE OF THEM IN PROGRESS. I MAY NOT BE HERE IN 17 MORE YEARS. I FIND IT QUITE A SPIRITUAL EVENT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH,

LAURIE STEWART

Comment by LAURIE L. STEWART — June 11, 2007 [AT] 12:51 pm

Timberon, NM — After a brief email conversation with someone from this site, and sending him a photo of one of our local cicadas, it has been determined that the cicadas in the mountains of South Centeral New Mexico are Platapedia. Perhaps the ones in Santa Fe are of the same Genus.

Comment by Scott M. — June 10, 2007 [AT] 5:26 pm

I live in the suburbs around chicago and there were so many cicadas on one of my plants that it became smothered… I CAN’T WAIT FOR THESE GROSS BUGS TO GO BYE-BYE!!!!

Comment by Plant Luver — June 3, 2007 [AT] 11:44 am

I live just outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico and about a week and a half ago i was taking a walk in the woods and i noticed holes about an inch in diameter all over the place. I then noticed that they were housing some sort of beetle, but i didn’t know what kind. Well about three days ago i went outside and heard the forest alive with that unmistakable cicada song. The trees were crawling with them. I’ve never seen them this far west before and am wondering what kind they are?

Comment by Antonio mora — June 3, 2007 [AT] 11:16 am

I found thousands of cicadas up and down Chickaloon Drive in McHenry, Illinois. Some are up in the trees, under the trees leaves, and more are hatching as I write!! IT was fantastic and the niose was deafening!

Comment by Kathryn — May 30, 2007 [AT] 5:46 pm

I was camping in the Catskill Mountains of NY State (specifcally at Mongaup Pond in Livingston Manor)this Memorial Day weekend and cicada exoskeletons were all around. I heard they were Chicago area and was surprised to find them. We also had balck flies!!

Comment by Sonya — May 29, 2007 [AT] 8:24 am

My name is Kailey. I am 10 years old and live in Indiana. I just went outside in my backyard and counted 244 cicada moltings. And some live ones too.

Comment by Kailey — May 24, 2007 [AT] 8:49 am

Lake Forest, IL….First Cicada sighting Brood XIII at garden-goddess.blogspot.com

Comment by Carole Brewer — May 14, 2007 [AT] 7:18 am

We have an outdoor wedding planned in Lemont on June 16th. If the cicada’s emerge on May 22nd, what are we in for as far as “uninvited guests” to our wedding.

Comment by tryingtokeepasenseof humor — May 6, 2007 [AT] 10:53 am

Hello everyone. Long time, no see… Just wanted to share sometime indirectly cicada related that you may find of interest. I’m sure if anyone is a gamer, then you’re familiar with one of the most popular games currently on sale. Check out the “GEARS OF WAR” for the Xbox 360. You’ll learn of the big “Emergence Day” event within the game’s storyline. The enemy you’ll be fighting are called “Locusts” that actually come from the bowels of the earth! However, you’ll soon discover that these “Locusts” are not the little critters we know and love. Check it out. You may find if amusing like I did. Plus it is also a really fun game!!!
Check out http://www.gearsofwar.com

Comment by Les Daniels — January 5, 2007 [AT] 3:00 pm

2007 General Cicada Questions

Filed under: Brood XIII | Old Message Board — Dan @ 1:01 am

These questions come from the old General Cicada Questions message board. They are from 2007, so there is a good chance there are Magicicada Brood XIII questions interspersed. The questions and answers are in reverse order. URLs found in comments are old and likely do not work.

Tim,
I know the American species usually last 4 to 6 weeks. Rain won’t kill them, but it will silence them. And Australia doesn’t have 17 year cicadas — you’re just having a particularly hearty crop this year.

Comment by Dan — December 3, 2007 [AT] 9:05 pm

hi,

cicadas have invaded all of our gum trees on our property, it started about 5 days ago they just started up it’s strange because we have never had them before, The sound is horrific and they only stop at night then start up again about 9 am.

I live in Victoria, Australia in the north east and was wondering when will these things die ?
Does rain kill them ?
Am i experiencing a 17 yr cycle thing ?

thank you for your time

Comment by tim — December 3, 2007 [AT] 1:11 am

Hi.

I really new to the realm of cicadas and am really here just to ask a single question (though I have had fun perusing piccies).

I’m in Adelaide, South Australia, to the south of the Adelaide Plain, at the base of the foothills of the Adelaide Hills. For the first time in my memory, this year, we have had an abundance of cicadas of one particular type in the area. Calling from the tree tops in suburbia are these loud single click calls. And there are plenty of them. We’ve even seen a few flying around. The clicks occur all day during warm weather, but increase at dusk during those lovely warm summery evenings we get here.

I tend to associate the sound with coastal sand dunes and tend to think that this is where I’ve heard them before…just never near my house. (I live approximately 3 to 4 miles from the beach).

Now I can give you a pretty lousy description from a chance sighting one afternoon. The cicada we saw was black with orange or red eyes and an orange stripe on its abdomen. Sorry for the vagueness, but it was a chance sighting. If I had anything between my ears I would have grabbed the camera, because the identity of these insects have been bugging me ever since.

Now I’m hoping that someone can poke me in the right direction to identifying this cicada. As far as I can see online, there are very few cicadas in South Australia compared to the other states (Queensland seems to be a noisy place cicada-wise) so I’m hoping the search can be fairly narrow (in a huge family such as this one).

Any help greatly appreciated.

Best wishes,
Gumnut
(determined to discover that bug’s identity)

Comment by Gumnut — November 24, 2007 [AT] 6:29 pm

Sure it is okay for your kid to keep a cicada as a pet, though it won’t last long in captivity.

Comment by Dan — November 21, 2007 [AT] 6:02 am

Is it ok for my mature 12 year old daughter to have a cicada as a pet?

Comment by BJ — November 21, 2007 [AT] 1:31 am

Cicadas and Moonlight—

I too am an observer. Tell me if anyone else noticed that the Cicadas gravitate toward the moonlight when they come out of the ground for their first walk on the surface. The moment they emered from the ground, there was a uniformity, almost like soldiers, when the walked up our hill. The cicadas found on the trees and telephone poles were on the moomlit side…always. Anyone notice this as a pattern?

Comment by lynn — October 12, 2007 [AT] 4:54 pm

Lauren: red this FAQ https://www.cicadamania.com/faq.html#a15

Comment by Dan — September 5, 2007 [AT] 5:17 am

NYC has killed so many insects spraying for “west nile”!

It’s a total scam!

Comment by Billy — September 4, 2007 [AT] 11:42 am

Today I noticed that this is the first year I have not heard one cicada… and I strongly believe that NYC has killed them & alot of other vital insects necessary to our eco system… how can we stop this destructive spraying which is mainly to make money!

Comment by Billy — September 4, 2007 [AT] 11:41 am

My daughter would like to know how the cacada make it’s noise. Thanks

Comment by Lauren — September 4, 2007 [AT] 8:08 am

andyru712: yes, it’s called the New Forest cicada. http://www.ukbap.org.uk/ukplans.aspx?ID=216

Comment by Dan — September 3, 2007 [AT] 8:13 am

please can anyone tell me if england has cicada. i am having trouble finding any info!

Comment by andyru712 — September 3, 2007 [AT] 6:29 am

Some co-workers and I have been marvelling at the buzzing of the cicadas in the small forested area outside of our workplace. We hadn’t actually seen one until the other day when one appeared on the outside of the building. It did not move however and stayed there for three days. I figured it probably died so i nudged it gently with a stick. It fell to the ground where I gave it another poke and it moved its leg. Okay, so it is not dead but probably dying. A day later it was back on the wall. It had traveled about two feet on the ground and three feet up the building. What is it doing? Is it going into some sort of hibernation? For reference it is late August in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Thanks

Comment by Ben — August 20, 2007 [AT] 11:23 am

I am noticing a steady decline in the amount of cicada calls I hear daily. Recently they did aerial spraying of pesticides to kill the mosquitoes that carry the West Nile Virus. Is it possible that the pesticide is killing the cicadas, or is it normal for them to start dying off in August?

I live in Sacramento, California. Our cicadas seem to be Okanagana-something(rimosa?).

Comment by Phoebe — August 19, 2007 [AT] 1:23 pm

our litte buddies are gonme 🙁 🙁 what an incredible natural event….what a ethereal sound and so harmless…..I will miss them until next time…

Comment by Bill — August 16, 2007 [AT] 9:58 pm

The Cicadas have invaded NJ early according to the charts. These past few weeks we’ve noticed them and also holes in our yard (which we didn’t realize were from them-we thought they might have been moles or the like.) We’ve had enough problems trying to grow grass lately, and now we have these holes…what a mess! We had trees removed last year and I guess they’re feeding on the roots that are left.Looks like we’ll be having a project in the spring fixing up the damage. My dog & I have already hurt ourselves in the ruts. Glad they won’t be around for much longer.

Comment by Carmel — August 15, 2007 [AT] 8:09 am

Debbie — no they won’t hurt your house plants — cicadas like trees.

Comment by Dan — August 15, 2007 [AT] 5:02 am

A cicada landed on my leg on my back porch. I caught it and brought it inside to be able to show my grandkids, but it got away. Will it hurt my house plants? Will it lay eggs in them? I can’t find it anywhere.

Thank you, if you reply. I’ve been searching for someone who may be able to tell me.

Sincerely,

Debbie Nickerson

Comment by Debbie Nickerson — August 14, 2007 [AT] 10:37 pm

Hello, first I’d like to say, I never knew so many people liked Cicada’s. My question is this:

“Are there any rumors or legends about Cicadas?”

In times could they be seen as a bad omen? a good omen?

Comment by Nymph — August 8, 2007 [AT] 8:58 pm

Why hasen’t the editor of this site seen fit to post the news article (submitted & received by editor)that included a photo of the Cicada powered airplane my son & I built & tested?
Also, you might want to read an Internet site on Grasshopper Glacier in Montana & the giant gresshoppers that are found frozen into it!
Dick

Comment by Dick Bolt — August 2, 2007 [AT] 9:21 am

Hey Scott,
The photo on the front page are individual eggs taken from a small eggnest in an ash tree branch. Apparently cicada eggs get moisture from the live branches because these took about a week to dry up after being removed.

Thanks,
Roy

Comment by Roy troutman — July 28, 2007 [AT] 5:18 am

Are the eggs in the photo shown on your website indivdiaul egges, or is each one a sac/cluster of eggs?
Thanks for a great website!

Comment by Scott Williams — July 24, 2007 [AT] 1:00 pm

Hey…i have one of these little gems …i have the shell…and the bug…I live in Ontario Canada….Hamilton…
I am 45 years old…and have never seen one…im thrilled to finaly see what all the fuss is about!!

Comment by Nancy — July 21, 2007 [AT] 6:45 pm

Cicada Mania: I just wanted to say thanks and ask you one question is the magicicadas the cicadas that only come to north america?
– Thanks in advance,
Courtney.

Comment by Courtney — July 16, 2007 [AT] 10:31 am

Alex:
You found a magicicada over there? I could hear but not see any and didn’t find any exit holes; nothing. Just heard the singing, re-re-re-re-re-reeeeeee.

I live not too far from there and we have had the same type for about a week or two now. I’m enjoying the singing! =O)

Comment by Caerann — July 13, 2007 [AT] 9:46 am

Hey John,
What you ae seeing is the damage done by cicada females that have laid their eggs into each branch. They use a sharp needle like appendage called an ovipositor that will cut into a twig & deposit eggs. The act of piercing a branch will weaken the structure & sometimes stop the flow of sap causing broken branches & browned leaves.

Hope this helps, Roy T.

Comment by Roy Troutman — July 10, 2007 [AT] 1:40 pm

All the trees in our area, and we are next to a forest preserve, have large tips turned brown and are dead. The large dead branches fall from the trees onto the street and lawns, this especially during the storm of yesterday.
Some say the cicada have sucked the sap from these tips. What, in fact, is causing the tips to die like this?

Comment by John Powers — July 10, 2007 [AT] 8:41 am

Seems like the Kimball/Elston area is a late bloomer, huh. I found a lone one on the sidewalk near Kimball and Montrose today. Scurried up my arm looking for a place to emerge from it’s shell.

Put it in a fish tank with climbing twigs, and just as I finished it’s home the little thing checked out the branches and found one to settle on. It immediately began emerging.

Wow. I spent the last couple of hours watching it’s transformation.

Nature is wonderful. This is what life is about!

Now I must find a safe place with other cicadas so the cycle can continue.

Who still have some in their yard? Want another?

Comment by Alex — July 7, 2007 [AT] 8:59 pm

They are still plentiful and very active in Blue Star Memorial Forest Preserves on Lake Avenue in Glenview as of today, July 3rd. They seem to be a later group than those in Schiller Woods as there are barely any dead bodies in the Glenview preserve. Hurray!!!! Had much fun playing with the little darlings. =0)

Comment by Caerann — July 3, 2007 [AT] 2:21 pm

Is it possible our 17 Year friends are just emerging in the city near Kimball and Elston? I heard but didn’t see some kind of cicadas today, July 2nd in 3 or 4 very tall trees.

Cheerio then.

Comment by Caerann — July 2, 2007 [AT] 7:44 pm

I found a bug on the sidewalk in my backyard this evening, and it caught my attention b/c it looked just like a cicada. I thought they only came out every 17 years, stayed for a while, then died off. He was huge! Bigger than the average bettle and he was just slowly walking around. He seemed to be following the flashlight as we stared at him in aww. He looked very old didn’t appear to have any wings. Is it normal for them to still be around since the last time they were here? And if so, do they loose their wings and just walk around?

Comment by Briana — June 29, 2007 [AT] 9:15 pm

hey i am a student going into 9th grade and i have to find 6 legged bugs and if i get a rare one i will get an A+ and i think they will be around for a lil while longer

Comment by randie potter — June 29, 2007 [AT] 4:34 pm

I’m in Oak lawn and have only spotted a small handful of cicada’s by my house and it was only for one day.We had a storm that was blowing in from the south all day last week on tuesday the 20th and that’s the only time they were here.I took pictures,held them,and was just excited to see them again.I was only 4 years old the first time I experienced them way back in 1973 at Brookfield Zoo and at that time I was horrified of them.Now at 38 I’m fascinated by them but have to travel to other areas to find them.Does anyone know if more will emerge in Oak Lawn before they are gone?

Comment by Bob — June 28, 2007 [AT] 7:36 pm

I was surprized to see an cicada in Lillooet British Columbia this year, I never seen one before but maybe they could have been here all the time…. I would think i would have noticed them before as it was pretty big 26mm long. I have pictures and I will try and post at least one on this site.

Comment by Randy James — June 27, 2007 [AT] 10:43 am

I live in central Oak Park. I walked around the neighborhood on Memorial Day weekend several times in order to determine whether the nymphs were emerging. I saw one newly emerged adult cicada on 25 May on 200 block of N. Kenilworth-and then nothing for a couple of weeks. Now, in the past two weeks, I’ve seen quite a few cicadas-mostly confined to the parks, though-just a few in the neighborhoods. I wonder why the late-emergence here in Oak Park? River Forest and Maywood lie immediately to the west and they’ve had them for some time-now rapidly dying off. I think cicadas are fascinating as bugs go but I can empathize with folks who have to deal with that constant buzzing.

Comment by Rick — June 27, 2007 [AT] 8:44 am

Cathy,
Do a Google Image search “Cicadas Eggs”. There are a bunch of photos.

Comment by Lucy — June 26, 2007 [AT] 8:39 am

Many of the trees near me have brown leaves. I have read it’s because the females have laid eggs in those branches but why would the leaves turn brown? Do the eggs kill the tree branches? I would love to see a picture of the eggs in a branch but can’t seem to find one.

Comment by Cathy — June 23, 2007 [AT] 4:45 pm

Are all of the cicadas out or are there any areas that are still waiting for them to come out?

Comment by Peggy — June 20, 2007 [AT] 3:35 pm

Some of you will be happy. I just came back from the Lagrange woods. As I turned from joliet rd onto Lagrange rd, there was nothing but silence. I drove through the entrance into the woods, and to my surprise, there were only a few pockets in the woods, where the cicadas were still singing. There were many on the ground that were dying. I actually had 1 cicada drop on the hood of my car backwards on his back. I did try to turn him over on his feet so he could fly away, but he could not even stand. But the whole time he was watching me as if to say thanks for trying. Remember,we are ALL Gods creatures.

Comment by rob — June 20, 2007 [AT] 12:37 pm

Jill — Gerry Bunker says “An aggregation of cicadas.”

Comment by Dan — June 19, 2007 [AT] 1:42 pm

I know this group of cicadas are known as Brood XIII, but do groups of cicadas have a name like “gaggle of geese”, “murder of crows”, “pack of dogs”, etc.?

Comment by Jill — June 19, 2007 [AT] 12:34 pm

Living in the western suburbs near Lombard, cicada heaven. Work near Elmhurst, more cicado heaven.

Any idea when they will be gone? I am tired of running to the car and avoiding outside. I’ve had them landing in my food, on my shoulders, hit me in the eyes. I don’t mind the yearly ones, since they seem to stay in the trees.

Any idea? I know they are a wonder of nature, but enough already.

Comment by LL — June 18, 2007 [AT] 11:25 pm

In most places, the cicadas will die off by early July. The southernmost Illinois populations are already beginning to wane.

Comment by Dave Marshall — June 18, 2007 [AT] 8:52 pm

Is there any way I can get rid of these things? I own a 16 acre area in Wisconsin, and nearly all of it but our large yard is trees. Swarms of them make noises so loud I find it impossible to go outside because I get horrible headaches, and they swarm all over when I am out. How long until they naturally leave the aera (south WI)?

Comment by frank — June 18, 2007 [AT] 12:54 pm

I was amazed when a 17 year cicada landed on my leg. I have not seen any cicada’s in St. John until today, June 17, 2007

Comment by Sherry G. — June 17, 2007 [AT] 5:17 pm

At our Cub Scout Webelos overnighter, my son decided to spear, roast and eat a cicada. He told the other boys that it tasted like peanut butter. This encouraged other scouts to try them, including one boy who put one on a smore and ate it.

Comment by Colleen Gammon — June 17, 2007 [AT] 12:45 pm

Are female cicada’s bigger then male’s?

Comment by Diane — June 15, 2007 [AT] 5:08 pm

how long have the 17 year cicada been around northern illinois doing their ‘cycling’?

Comment by mike t — June 15, 2007 [AT] 1:20 pm

Just Arrived I live in Berwyn,il. There were none at all until today June 14 flag day. I travel these roads everyday,but today I was surpised when driving right by mcneal hospital,I saw several fly past. Then you could hear them. They are not as loud as in other areas, but I think they got a late start because it was so quiet.So this may extend their welcome far past july 1st.If Svengoulie reads these messages, then maybe he will do a show on Cicadas in Berwyn.

Comment by rob — June 14, 2007 [AT] 2:16 pm

WHEN WILL THEY BE GONE? So many people have asked and no answers. I’ve heard everything from 3 weeks to 10 weeks. It’s a total nightmare where I live and causes me great anxiety.

Comment by Cathy — June 14, 2007 [AT] 6:47 am

Patty,
Try this link. It shows maps where they’ve been sighted:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/broadband/chi-cicada-map-html,0,1315785.htmlstory

Comment by Lucy — June 14, 2007 [AT] 5:36 am

I am in Aurora IL and have not seen a single cicada! I’m looking for an emergence map that shows abundant sightings as close to home as possible … Any suggestions?

Comment by Patty — June 13, 2007 [AT] 8:18 pm

When will they stop flying?!? I am fine with them cozied up in their trees but I can’t wear a windbreaker, hood pulled tight, for another 90 degree day. I think they’re cool and I like looking at them and learning about them, but… how many more days someone give me a countdown for my own state of mind. By the way… I live in Lombard (emerged May 21 in force in my yard) and I work in Hinsdale (cicada mecca) I need a break. Thanks and buzz on boys, buzz on.

Comment by Jenny — June 13, 2007 [AT] 4:42 pm

Perhaps with so many cicadas overcrowding certain trees, they move away from the competition to have a chance to get noticed and get the girl, so to speak. Who knows?

Comment by Lucy — June 13, 2007 [AT] 4:37 pm

Thanks Lucy. That’s what I was thinking too. It’s just weird. It seems more than just wind-blown randomness. There’s a lot, but not hordes. Almost like they’re purposely migrating. And I’m noticing increasing amounts everyday. At a time where I expected them to be dying, they seem pretty lively overhere all of the sudden. Thanks for responding.

Comment by Dan — June 13, 2007 [AT] 4:28 pm

I watched the “Return of the Cicadas” documentary a few weeks ago, and it said they can be blown around by strong winds/rain. We had a couple of really windy days a week of so ago; maybe some ended up in trees away from where they were “born? Or maybe they move to trees that are not so conjested. Just a guess.

Comment by Lucy — June 13, 2007 [AT] 4:12 pm

I work in Wheaton and live in Aurora. Both locations are ‘newer’ developments, where I didn’t expect to see Cicadas. Only since June 11th, have I started seeing/hearing Cicadas. I now see them constantly at work and they are buzzing in the trees all over by my house, and everywhere in between. I know they did not ’emerge’ here, but alas, here they are. I thought they didn’t fly very far. I’m wondering if anyone has any thoughts as to how/why they’ve arrived seemingly everywhere I go now. Any know?

P.S. I will miss them when they’re gone.

Comment by Dan — June 13, 2007 [AT] 3:59 pm

I just came back from the lagrange ill forest preserves. While I was driving down lagrange rd, I decided to turn in to the forest preserves. Although while driving in the area it was very loud,it was almost like a horror movie on tv when I turned into the woods.There must be millons in the woods.I plan on going back several times to hear and see this part of nature.I suggest if you can,go see and hear for yourself.It is truly a remakable part of nature and earth.PS dont be afraid because they are not.

Comment by rob — June 13, 2007 [AT] 1:05 pm

When is the madness going to end?? I have dead cicadas all over my patio and sidewalks yet there seem to be three times as many flying around then before. Everytime I leave my house and walk, more like run to my car I have to go through swarms of cicadas. For those of you who keep complaining about not seeing any you would have a different viewpoint if you had to live with it everyday and have fly into your face, hair, grocery bags, car, etc..

Comment by Kelli — June 13, 2007 [AT] 9:07 am

i just finally saw some cicadas in my neighborhood not to many but the sound was loud from what i heard i did not see them come out of the ground are they just flying near my house or are they getting a late start on it cause i heard they should be starting to die off soon

Comment by kev — June 12, 2007 [AT] 7:48 pm

I live on the North Side of Ottawa, Illinois, and I’ve seen only one cicada! He [or she] was on the ground on the side of my house. Marseilles, on the other hand, is full of them! I am so jealous. Where are they? Will we even get them here, or what? I’m not completely sure if there are cicadas on the other sides of Ottawa, though. I’ve heard the answer is no. Anyone enlighten me?

Comment by Courtney — June 12, 2007 [AT] 9:50 am

hey this rebecca i just wanted to know how long do cicadas live?

Comment by rebecca — June 11, 2007 [AT] 10:35 pm

I am so jealous of all the folks that have cicadas in their town. Wheaton has virtually none. I feel so left out. We actually went to Glen Ellyn to import some to our trees. I’m so sad…

Comment by Kirsten — June 11, 2007 [AT] 8:39 pm

at camp i saw a bout 1 thousang ciadas on one tree, it’s crasy

Comment by megan — June 11, 2007 [AT] 6:42 pm

at camp i saw a bout 1 thousang ciadas on one tree, it;s crasy

Comment by megan — June 11, 2007 [AT] 6:42 pm

Can Cicadas be born, well, mutaded like siamese twins? like a 2 headed cicada? or born without wings or somthin. or 15 legs??

Comment by Elijah — June 9, 2007 [AT] 8:16 pm

Jordan — I keep hearing they should be gone by July 4th.

Comment by Andie — June 9, 2007 [AT] 9:42 am

A couple more weeks.

Comment by Dan — June 9, 2007 [AT] 9:39 am

i live in Illinois. how long will the cicadas be around?

Comment by jordan cin — June 9, 2007 [AT] 9:37 am

I have a bunch of dead cicadas on my patio. Are these cicadas dead from other causes or are they the ones who have already mated? How long does it take for a cicada to die after it mates? I really, really hate these things but on the other hand I feel they should really live it up since it’s the last few weeks of their lives!

Comment by Andie — June 9, 2007 [AT] 6:09 am

Patti — they certainly don’t like cold, and torrential rains pouring into their holes. I hope they make it up to Milwaukee.

Comment by Dan — June 8, 2007 [AT] 10:10 am

Hey Cicada Guy — Love the website. I check it daily here at my corporate headquarters. We are so anxious for the cicadas to hit our town (Milwaukee). We had wicked weather last night. Heavy rains, winds and tornados all around us in the suburbs. Do you think this will keep the cicadas from visiting us? Is is possible they can die off before they ever get a chance to live?

Comment by Patti — June 8, 2007 [AT] 6:23 am

Put them up on Flickr!

Comment by Dan — June 8, 2007 [AT] 4:48 am

i have great pictures about cicada, i want to share them, how can i do that here?

Comment by Merci Yangco — June 7, 2007 [AT] 9:05 pm

It is just past dusk and I just returned from inspecting the fence pickets in my back yard. In years past the annual cicadas have used the pickets as much as the trees to pop out of their shells. But, alas, still no activity in northeast Oak Park. All the conditions for emergence have been met including temperature, moisture and expediency (time is running out). Does anyone know if the subterranean nymphs sometimes bump into one another down there and actually communicate? Might they be saying “two more days to D-Day” (actually yesterday June 6) or “the big break is tonight, pack your bags”?

Comment by Joseph Brady — June 7, 2007 [AT] 7:04 pm

I need to record the sound of cicadas somewhere near New York City, ideally somewhere accessible from public transportation. Any suggestions on where to do this?

Thanks.

Comment by Tom — June 7, 2007 [AT] 6:51 pm

I LIVE IN AN OLDER WOODED AREA IN ALGONQUIN IL…HAVENT SEEN 1 CICADA YET…WHATS THE DEAL ?

Comment by JAMES — June 7, 2007 [AT] 3:08 pm

We had a great emergence of Cicadas on our property in Midlothian on 5/23-24, but today 6/7, there appears to be a second emergence greater than the first! Scads of them on the trees and VERY active in the air. I know they are affected by tempurature and it’s hot today, but there are more cicadas today than in the last 3 weeks. Does anyone know what’s up?

Comment by Colleen — June 7, 2007 [AT] 2:21 pm

I too am terrified of them. I have daily panic attacks becuase they are EVERYWHERE. I live in Brookfield where they seem to live too. Can you tell me when this madness will end? Also, when will I stop seeing new ones? I cant handle it much longer. Though I found out if my fiance turns the sprinkler on….I can run to my car and I havnet been nailed yet.

Please, when will they stop?

Comment by Sue — June 7, 2007 [AT] 8:54 am

Do we have an end date for these little buggers? I’m terrified of this whole “phenomenon.” I live in a wooded area and there are massive amounts. They are all over the sidewalks, the trees right outside my door, my car etc. They fly and land on me, I’m having anxiety attacks, this is a nightmare.

Comment by Andie — June 7, 2007 [AT] 8:12 am

This morning on my way to work, i was driving with my window half way open, when all of a sudden i feel something hit me on the head. I looked to the backseat and happened to find a Cicada. The little fracker hit me on da head! lol….

Comment by Miguel A. Beltran — June 6, 2007 [AT] 4:22 pm

Depends on how old the plumb tree is. Older trees do just fine — in fact fruit trees are know to produce more fruit the following year after a cicada emergence.

Comment by Dan Mozgai — June 6, 2007 [AT] 3:17 pm

Texas, and most states, get annual cicadas every year. Texas has plenty of cicadas.

Comment by Dan Mozgai — June 6, 2007 [AT] 3:16 pm

In my Mothers’ purple leave plum tree there are little holes in straight lines going around the trunk and up several of the larger branches, are these cicadas, and will they kill the tree, if so how can we stop them? My Mother and Father planted that tree when we were small, now he’s gone and we are grown, she would hate to lose the tree

Comment by cassandra riddell — June 6, 2007 [AT] 3:03 pm

Here in South Texas, we comment about cicadas every summer. I saw what I thought was one a couple of days ago, but it doesn’t look like the cicadas I’ve seen on this site, and since they arrive every summer without fail, I am wondering whether or not they truly are cicadas. What can you tell me about their occurrence in South Texas, specifically San Antonio?

Comment by Christine — June 6, 2007 [AT] 1:57 pm

I BELIEVE IF THEY ARE NOT OUT YET I THINK THEY ARE NOT COMING

Comment by JOE PEPETONE — June 6, 2007 [AT] 8:51 am

As of June 5, I have only seen one cicada shell on my daily run throughout Northeast Oak Park. I mistakenly thought the full moon would pull them out, but I was wrong. In the last few days it has been either too cold or too rainy. Why OP is two weeks behind the western burbs and one week behind the north shore, I do not know. Maybe it is the collective concentration of people in Oak Park trying to will them into action. Then again, it may be Oak Park’s heavy clay soil that I suspect may be providing a cooler than ideal 64 degree emergence trigger. These are all just guesses.

Comment by Joseph Brady — June 5, 2007 [AT] 7:04 pm

THe cicadas emerged Sunday evening May 27th in our backyard in Glenview. We could see them come out of the grass and watch as the grass moved with them. We watched them crawl up anything including my leg as they began their ascent. It was truly amazing to see them crack their shells an transform before our eyes. THe next morning HUNDREDS were on hostas, tree trunks, fence posts, our deck. They crawled and practiced short flights. This ritual continues even tonight, eight nights later. The numbers may be slightly fewer but all in all, we can’t believe SO many keep appearing!!!!!!!

Comment by Sharon TIerney — June 4, 2007 [AT] 8:11 pm

Cicadas are prone to fungal infections. Sometimes the fungus expands until the abdomen falls off. I’ve seen walking cicada heads quite a few times. Male abdomens are also pretty much hollow, so that makes the situation more likely.

Comment by Dan Mozgai — June 4, 2007 [AT] 7:48 am

We were at The Grove in Glenview this past Saturday with our kids. We found about a dozen cicadas in the same location without bodies, just heads. They were alive and walking, and they were fully coordinated. I’m not talking about muscle twitches after an insect it killed, I’m talking fully alive cicadas walking with full motor coordination. They might have been able to fly, too, although I didn’t see them fly. They looked perfectly healthy and their wings were flawless, but they had no abdoman or thorax at all. We asked the experts at The Grove. They said that they had never seen cicadas like that, and said it must be a mutation of some sort. To me it didn’t look like they were born without bodies, and it didn’t look like an animal or insect ripped the bodies off because the wings were not torn up. It looked like they had simply dropped their bodies. You could see into their heads through their necks. There was dried light brown stuff that sealed the neck hole. The hole looked identical in all of the cicadas we found. Does anyone know if this is indeed a mutation or something else…perhaps a disease or parasite that makes the bodies fall off?

Comment by Amy Warlick — June 4, 2007 [AT] 6:27 am

Sugar Grove Il here,
about 40 miles west of Chicago.
I have not seen a single cicada as of yet. Even went to the forest preserve [bliss woods] not a darn cicada in sight. Are they not coming? I was planning on serving them to my inlaws for dinner this weekend, hee.. hee!

Comment by Deb — June 1, 2007 [AT] 11:43 am

Hey…um….Buster, just wait until the cicadas die off in a few weeks. You will get plenty of stinky “cicada mulch” then. BTW if anyone on the board fishes the nymphs are great fish bait. The kids & I caught a few dozen catfish with them several years back.

Comment by Roy troutman — June 1, 2007 [AT] 11:18 am

IF THEY ARE NOT AROUND BY NOW DOES THAT MEAN THEY ARE NOT COMING TO MY AREA

Comment by JOE PEPETONE — June 1, 2007 [AT] 9:36 am

Dan:
I wrote a couple of days ago, thanks for your comment regarding cicadas in Texas.
You said Texas does not have 13/17-year, can you tell what species (Dallas), problem being our condo has an open (wrought iron gate) facing a creek, one can literally hear right through the garage area up 2-3 levels, sounds coming through walls, earphones do not work. My reposed question, isn’t it unusual to hear 24/7? Also, how long before these non-13/17-hear species cease noise (most always hot, as you know, in Texas)…thanks again.

Comment by Pat — June 1, 2007 [AT] 7:19 am

I don’t get it. I live in the Western Suburbs of Chicago. The neighborhood is loaded with Cicadas. I went to the Forest Preserve (untouched for 40 years) and not one. Why?

Comment by Mitch — June 1, 2007 [AT] 7:15 am

I live in Roscoe (on the Wisconsin border, north of Rockford) and we have thousands and thousands of cicadas. We do live in the woods with many older oak trees. There is probably a 2 to 3 inch ring of “cicada mulch” around most of the trees, not to mention the driveway will need to be shoveled soon. The kids & dog are having a blast.

BH

Comment by Buster Hymen — May 31, 2007 [AT] 2:24 pm

I live in the south end of Glenview Illinois and there are 10′s of thousands of ciadias around our house. Not as many on the east side of our street as on the west side and even a few blocks away there are very few. It’s worse for us this time than last. The neighbors tree has so many at the base, that you could shovel them up into a small bucket. They are crawling up anything mostly dark… but even lighter objects, too. They seem to be selective where they choose to sit. Our two evergreen shrubs in front have few, while the small baby evergreen tree only 10 feet away is packed with the bugs on every spare spot. They started popping out a few days ago. So, I think they’ll be other reports coming soon from northern Illinois.

Comment by diane — May 31, 2007 [AT] 11:38 am

My blog below is about Cicada Powered air planes, not paper cicada look-ah-like planes!

Comment by Dick Bolt — May 31, 2007 [AT] 9:51 am

I like Cicadas. We had them here (Eastern MD) in 2004.None reported in Western MD as I remember.
I & my son built cicada powered air planes & got into the local newspapers with photo. I did engine tests (throwing cicadas forward to see if they flew & how hard)first & had kids collecting for me and working as if a science fair was going on. As I remember, females flew down & males flew up when released. So I chose only male engines. I built several 1 engine & two engine planes. Planes were from dollar store balsa cheep.I super glued the engines to the wings! I never got much out of flights. I guess if your but was glued to a board, you would not want to fly either! As I will not be alive next time around in 15 yrs, it might be another to hitch them correctly to fly! It was done with house flys, so why not cicadas.
*** in Bowie MD

PS, I have photos stored from 2004 somewhere.

Comment by Dick Bolt — May 31, 2007 [AT] 9:29 am

cicads are some wired creatuures!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Myarra — May 30, 2007 [AT] 11:23 am

I wish cicadas were flooding my front porch! I haven’t seen one yet!

Comment by Anna in plainfield — May 30, 2007 [AT] 8:22 am

As of 5-29 at 12 noon no sightings yet on ten hundred block of Mapleton. Not many in the general area either, but pockets in River Forest.

Wednesday and Thursday will be the big days. The attraction of the moon, big right now, but full as can be on Thursday (5-31)may play a big part, but also may be a coincidence.

What do you think?

Have counted 2 to 3 mud patch holes per sq ft in between bricks on patio. But maybe these are from real big worms.

Comment by joseph brady — May 29, 2007 [AT] 10:43 am

Is it true that there are no cicadas, annual or otherwise, native to the Pacific Northwest?

Comment by Melanie Wilson — May 29, 2007 [AT] 9:24 am

I live in Huntley, IL and I have not seen one cicada yet!!
I am very sad becasue my daughter is 2.5 years old — the same age I was at my first Cicada year in 1973ish — Does any one know if they will be coming to McHenry Co??

Comment by Karen L — May 29, 2007 [AT] 8:11 am

Cicadas are flooding my front porch. Can anyone tell me of their dislikes. Something I can use to prevent them from infesting my home.

Comment by Cheryl Ferguson — May 29, 2007 [AT] 5:40 am

Wildlife should be seen, heard, but not fed by humans.

Comment by Dan — May 28, 2007 [AT] 9:07 am

Actually, Lake Michigan is probably cleaner than it used to be. In the past few years the gulls have moved inland. They can probably find more food in parking lots and garbage dumps than by Lake Michigan. I’ve even seen people feeding them in the parking lots. That’s probably why they are more abundant in the neighborhoods this year than 17 years ago.

Comment by Sue — May 28, 2007 [AT] 8:52 am

Texas doesn’t have periodic/17/13 year cicadas, but you do have other species. They should be making their presence heard soon enough if the weather stays hot.

Comment by Dan — May 28, 2007 [AT] 12:07 am

Are cicadas hitting Texas this year? If so, are these the 13-year or 17-year brood? Have never heard them here before. The noise has been truly incessant today, especially (hot, muggy) after recent storm. Have heard for the past two weeks (24/7), please advise your prediction how much longer before noise may cease, and isn’t it unusual to hear 24/7? Thanks.

Comment by Pat — May 27, 2007 [AT] 11:39 pm

I wonder why the gulls aren’t haging out by the lake? Maybe the lake is so polluted now, that they have to go inland for food — unfortunately for the cicadas.

Comment by Dan — May 27, 2007 [AT] 10:38 pm

The cicadas have been out in my neighborhood for a week now. We have had an enormous number of seagulls coming and eating them. Flocks of sometimes 50 gulls and more come down the street stopping to devour whatever they can. I know there were not this many gulls 17 years ago. Will this increase in the gull population affect the number of cicadas 17 years from now?

Comment by Sue — May 27, 2007 [AT] 5:57 pm

That’s a good question. They lay their eggs in the branches of trees. The females have an instrument called a terebra that that they use to dig out a slit in the branch and that’s where they lay their eggs. The eggs hatch and the cicada larvae flop to the ground, and start burrowing. They don’t die from the fall because they have a low terminal velocity — like cats and other small creatures.

The egg laying in the branches is what kills the branches.

Comment by Dan — May 26, 2007 [AT] 3:56 pm

You have a great site. I found it very informative.

I have been trying to find out where they lay their eggs? Do they climb trees to eat, then return to the ground to bury their eggs? Or are the eggs left in the trees and the larvae crawl down and into the ground?

I aplogize if you answered this question already. I looked and looked and looked and didn’t see anything about this.

Thank you.
Von

Comment by Von — May 26, 2007 [AT] 3:36 pm

kgmoney1 [AT] aol.com

Please don’t kill cicadas in order to find out if they’re sick. There’s plenty of dead ones lying around, you could dissect those instead.

Comment by Mike — May 25, 2007 [AT] 12:12 pm

I went out to my car and found a baby cicada sitting on the trunk. So i let it crawl on my finger and brought in side.

Comment by anita — May 25, 2007 [AT] 8:45 am

My husband and I were in Lombard a couple of days ago and saw many Cicada holes and a couple of live ones. I am out in Carol Stream and live behind a park and pond with many old tree, but not a single Cicada or even a hole yet from what I have seen. I am starting to doubt if we are going to get them in Carol Stream at all. I hope we do, I have been telling my daughter about it for weeks. Anyone know of an emeregence in Carol Stream or if they even emerge here at all?

Comment by Jess — May 24, 2007 [AT] 2:36 pm

Hi everybody,
I am a college student doing research on the 17 year cicada. I am trying to find out if the cicadas are parasitized by anything like pin worms, nematodes, or anything like that. I have collected some nymphs and dissected them to see if I can find any parasites. I have not found anything yet, but I plan to catch some adults as soon as they emerge. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about cicadas and parasites. If you do anything that may be able to help my research please send me an e-mail at kgmoney1 [AT] aol.com Thanks to all and have fun with the cicadas.

Comment by Kenny Glassman — May 24, 2007 [AT] 1:53 pm

I live in deerfield Illinois. I was walking around looking for cicada shells (in my yard) to look at in my microscope when I heard a buzzing noise. I looked over and saw a upside down cicada flapping its wings like crazy. I picked it up on a stick and took it over to a tree. Immediately, it started crawling up the tree until I couldn’t see it, so I climbed up myself (I made sure not to step on any other cicadas). Then, I saw it stop at nearly the top of the tree and then started laying its eggs! It was so cool!

Comment by Ethan — May 23, 2007 [AT] 6:15 pm

why do they come into certain areas? I haven’t seen any yet in my niegborhood but I know they are there.

Comment by Katie — May 23, 2007 [AT] 5:58 pm

why do they come into certain areas? I haven’t seen any yet in my niegborhood but I know they are there.

Comment by Katie — May 23, 2007 [AT] 5:58 pm

We’re aware of cicada in Arizona, but people rarely ask about them or contribute content, so there isn’t much mention on the site. You might disagree, but they aren’t as exciting as periodic cicadas. There is some Arizona info buried on the site, including this link http://bugs.bio.nau.edu/Homoptera/azhomoptera.htm
that lists dozens of species with pictures.

Comment by Dan — May 23, 2007 [AT] 4:49 am

I live west of Phoenix in Arizona in the desert. There is no mention of cicadas here even though we definately have the cicada visits. Annually.

Can you tell me why they don’t mention any in Arizona?

Their verticle burrow holes are very noticeable. Along with their music.

Our trees did suffer quite a bit of damage the last couple of years from them. My brother lost a number of small ones, where ours were larger ones. There are many trees here in the desert(palo verdes) for them.

I do not wish the cicadas any harm, but it you have a tree you would like to save from harm, I found a method that works. At the area where the bark is disturbed and sap is flowing, I use a stick to scrape of as much as possible. I then spray the area with a spray paint. The cicadas or other insects do not return to the spot and the tree is saved.

Thank you!

Comment by Lisa Bilinski — May 23, 2007 [AT] 12:09 am

I’ve never heard of them damaging conifers, but if they’re desperate enough, they might.

It’s safe to mow. The emergence in Michigan should be minimal.

Comment by Dan — May 22, 2007 [AT] 5:47 pm

Maybe 100 decibels or so.

Comment by Dan — May 22, 2007 [AT] 5:46 pm

how loud are they? like all of them together not just one?

Comment by Jenna — May 22, 2007 [AT] 4:26 pm

i live in the corner of southwest michigan, but have been out of state for a week. when i go home, the lawn is going to need tending- is it safe for me to mow? will i disturb 17 year cicadas beneath my lawn? will i harm them or start a swarm? when is it safest to mow?

Comment by kayla — May 21, 2007 [AT] 9:28 pm

Can Cicadas damage smaller conifers, or is it only small deciduous trees that we need to protect?

Comment by Angie — May 21, 2007 [AT] 7:42 pm

Cicadas drink tree fluids, and they do metamorphize. The final stage (instar) of their metamorphosis is called imagination, which is when the nymph becomes the adult (imago).

Comment by Dan — May 21, 2007 [AT] 5:31 pm

What do cicadas eat?
Do they have metamorphisis?

Comment by hailey — May 21, 2007 [AT] 4:32 pm

Hello Kristina,
I have a decent sound byte you can use of a Magicicada cassini.
I also have cicadas chorusing but don’t have good recordings of the other 2 species. e-mail me [AT] sbpstudios [AT] gmail.com.

Comment by Roy Troutman — May 15, 2007 [AT] 1:20 pm

My 7 year old is doing a project on cicadas for his 1st grade class. Is there a good sound byte of the cicada “songs” that he can play?

Comment by Kristina — May 15, 2007 [AT] 11:51 am

Hi Matt –

The key words in that text are “serious noise”. There will still be cicada sound after the choruses start to decline, perhaps still loud by many standards. It will be more like a month (after things first get loud) before things seem normal again. Those words are only a rough estimate.

It really depends on where you are too, in part because the chorusing centers tend to slowly shift location. If you get stuck with a really dense Magicicada cassini chorus in your backyard, in a tree right outside your favorite window, it will be longer than average before things seem quiet again.

Comment by David Marshall — May 14, 2007 [AT] 8:45 am

I’ve seen one specific reference about how long the cicada Brood XIII noise will last only 2 weeks (even though the cicadas may be around for longer than that). Can someone confirm? I’d like to know if the noise lasts longer or shorter so I can make travel plans, because the noise will drive me nuts after the novelty of it wears off.

Here’s the reference:

http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/fauna/michigan_cicadas/Periodical/magiFAQ.html

and an excerpt:

“How long will the cicadas be out in my yard/neighborhood/city?

About 4-6 weeks after they first start emerging. Most individual cicadas live only a few weeks, but since they emerge over a period of two weeks or so the whole event lasts longer. The serious noise will get going about a week and half after you first notice them and will last about two weeks more. After that things get a lot quieter.”

Comment by Matt — May 11, 2007 [AT] 5:14 pm

Do you know exactly the next emmergence or brood of magicicada in Illinois? Is it about 25 of May or later..
Thanks a lot for your answer

Comment by Gerard — May 3, 2007 [AT] 7:39 am

are you supposed to paint the exterior of your home during the cicadas? Will they spoil the paint job by attaching to the house? I would so appreciate an answer to this question!

Comment by iz reidy — April 30, 2007 [AT] 3:37 pm

They’ll aerate the areas around the trees, so you could still have the non-shaded areas done.

Comment by Dan — April 25, 2007 [AT] 2:13 pm

I was thinking of having my yard aerated this year, but since this is the year for cicada’s in my area, I wonder if I still need to. Will they do a good job of aerating the soil or should I hire someone to do this for me? Will this damage them if I do decide to aerate?

Comment by Beth in Chicago — April 25, 2007 [AT] 1:45 pm

My 10-year-old daughter has chosen the periodic cicadas as her school project subject. What she plans to do is attempt to calculate the number of cicadas that will emerge in our town. I am helping her with her math model, but she/we need a little help.

She needs to find the average number of cicadas that live under a single tree and a single bush. Also, the survival rates during the 17-year dormancy.

Any information source for this would be greatly appreciated.

Comment by scott johnson — April 24, 2007 [AT] 12:16 pm

Sir,
We intend to visit Chicago during June 2007. Please let us know whether we can joy our stay there? Whither Cicadas affect our stay & feel discomfort?
r.srinivasaraaghavan

Comment by R.SRINIVASARAAGHAVAN — April 17, 2007 [AT] 6:05 pm

the cicada is a japanes bug.

Comment by khalid — April 17, 2007 [AT] 8:53 am

I had a large tree removed down to the roots about 8 years ago. Will the cicadas still come out of the ground and, if so, where will they go?

Comment by Joe — April 10, 2007 [AT] 10:41 am

It’s 2 months away…we’re about to be hit in June with the 17 year breed here in the Chicago area. I plan to take many pictures and post them on http://www.seventeenyearcicada.com
This will be the third time I can remember seeing these creatures (I was four years old the first time and can’t recall 🙂
So stay tuned.

Comment by John — March 31, 2007 [AT] 3:55 pm

False alarm on cicadas in Fayetteville,NC. I went over to see what I could find, and it turned out to be thousands of frogs mating.

Comment by Laura — March 25, 2007 [AT] 9:51 am

March 25, 2007
I am in Fayetteville, NC and last night the buzz/chirping started across the lake. I’m walking over today to see if I can spot some cicadas.

Comment by Laura — March 25, 2007 [AT] 7:52 am

I have found in March 2007 a died couple (M & F) of cicada from the root of plant in desert of Thar(Pakistan)
http://www.colourthrophy.8m.com
rehman_azeemi [AT] yahoo.com

Comment by Anjum — March 22, 2007 [AT] 3:22 pm

hello all 5 pieces cicadas of 2 speces are avail able for reserchers contect rehman_azeemi [AT] yahoo.com

Anjum

Comment by Anjum — March 22, 2007 [AT] 3:15 pm

Cold blooded. All insects are cold blooded.

Comment by Dan — March 12, 2007 [AT] 7:59 pm

I have a question and answer sheet that i have to do for science and i was wondering if Cicadas are cold or warm blooded

Comment by Ari — March 12, 2007 [AT] 7:19 pm

The same questions on the life cycle and lifespan. please check FAQs on this website for ALL the answers

Comment by david — March 8, 2007 [AT] 6:52 pm

How long do cicadas live and what’s there lifecycle?

Comment by bob — March 5, 2007 [AT] 4:12 pm

That question again… Cicadas are cicadas and locusts are grasshopper. They are not the same.

Comment by Dan — March 1, 2007 [AT] 9:40 am

Are cicadas and locust the same or are they different and if they are how so?

Comment by billy — February 28, 2007 [AT] 5:57 pm

The advantage is predators don’t have time to adapt to their behavior.

Comment by Dan — February 25, 2007 [AT] 3:13 pm

What possible survival advantage can a 17 year life cycle have?

Comment by Chris Gladstone — February 25, 2007 [AT] 1:31 pm

hi all cicada lovers do you need any audio vedio or dry cicada of many speces for resersh only reserchers will be oblized
rehmany2k64 [AT] yahoo.com

Comment by Anjum — January 17, 2007 [AT] 1:10 pm

hi all cicada lovers do you need any audio vedio or dry cicada of many speces for resersh only reserchers will be oblized

Comment by Anjum — January 17, 2007 [AT] 1:08 pm

August 10, 2007

Archive of Magicicada Discussions from 2007 – Brood XIII

Filed under: Brood XIII | Magicicada | Old Message Board | Periodical — Dan @ 1:36 pm

This page represents 171 sightings, comments and questions about the Brood XIII emergence in 20007. The next emergence happens in 2024.

Jennifer — what you have isn’t Magicicadas, but another species like Tibicen. Tibicen emerge in late summer and not in broods.

Comment by Dan — August 10, 2007 [AT] 9:21 am

I live in Pleasant Grove, Alabama near Birmingham. We’ve evidentally got a large brood of cicadas here. I heard them in the trees the other day while out for my walk. It was deafening. I had no idea what they were. Last night one flew in the house and scared me half to death. I did a little research and found out what this bird-sized insect was. Now I am fascinated.

Comment by Jennifer — August 10, 2007 [AT] 8:41 am

Hello JK Fuller

I live in New York and could send you a dead specimen of a cicada if you so desire! Are you looking for a Periodical Cicada or Tibicen species?

Comment by Elias — July 10, 2007 [AT] 5:00 pm

I forgot to mention, I am in the middle of Dallas — Fort Worth metroplex in Texas.

Comment by Shelley — July 7, 2007 [AT] 9:01 pm

ok — I think I have cicada’s in my yard. I realize this is a board for cicada lovers, and I am not. I don’t go kill things, because I believe they are here for a purpose. However, they are scary the crap out of me while I am trying to weed. I realized today that the gigantic junebugs were only the shell of a bug… and that got me to thinking — where is the live one? I don’t know how to post a picture, but I do have two… is there someone I can email? I think if I knew what they were… then they wouldn’t be so scarry. Thanks — sunriseh2o [AT] yahoo.com

Comment by Shelley — July 7, 2007 [AT] 9:00 pm

Anybody aware of any Cicada groups around Chicago that might be expected to still be around in the next 5 days or so? I’d love to get one last look at a good-size group before they disappear for the next 17 years!

Comment by pat — July 6, 2007 [AT] 11:49 pm

They are still plentiful and very active in Blue Star Memorial Forest Preserves on Lake Avenue in Glenview as of today, July 3rd. They seem to be a later group than those in Schiller Woods as there are barely any dead bodies in the Glenview preserve. Hurray!!!! Had much fun playing with the little darlings. =0)

Comment by Caerann — July 3, 2007 [AT] 6:31 pm

The cicadas are ebbing but still going strong in the forest preserves just east of O’Hare. Here’s some of my photos:

IMAGES ARE MISSING.

Comment by ramon — June 30, 2007 [AT] 12:53 pm

Can anyone send me a (dead) Cicada?

A few years ago I took my wife, a California girl, to Virginia where she heard cicadas for the frist time and was completely facinated. We happened to find a great cicada specimin but I managed to let the birds get it and she was heartbroken.

Can anyone supply me with an American (I know I can get them from China on Ebay)?

Thanks!
(remove the zz from my email)

Comment by JKFuller — June 29, 2007 [AT] 8:03 am

You say it was fun, but you’re trying to kill off the next generation — some people…

Comment by Dan — June 29, 2007 [AT] 6:50 am

Hey,well.,looks like their pretty much gone,here on the west side of Wonder Lake.weekend of 6/16,they where still quite loud and active,but also dropping off the tree tops,by 6/20,they where dropping by the shovel full,and their sing was becoming much softer,by the weekend of 6/24,only the slightest sound,and dropping from the trees.Now 6/29 ,theirs no sound and only afew have dropped from the trees.now where left with the cleanup and hope they didn’t damage my English Oak,which I started from a acorn, to badly,The tree is on its 4th year,and it got alot of little slits,I’am hoping that by spraying small areas of the tree,it will kill the eggs.It was alot of fun while it lasted.

Comment by j.mayer — June 29, 2007 [AT] 3:13 am

I thought it was slowing down,but today I decided to go back to the Lagrange woods one more time. As I turned left on to Lagrange rd from joliet rd,I started hearing more and more Cicadas from both sides of the road while driving. I turned into the woods and there were many pockets of Cicadas still singing. I got out of my car and was watching them fly everywhere. One Cicada landed on the top of my hand, then we watched each other for ten minutes and he flew off to join his friends. If you have time,go see for yourself because 17 years is a long time to wait. They are also still strong at the forest preserves at Harlem av and Joliet Rd.

Comment by Rob — June 25, 2007 [AT] 6:53 pm

Are they dying yet? I have had enough of them in River Grove,Il.

Comment by Kathy — June 25, 2007 [AT] 10:33 am

Well they are pretty much gone in Brookfield, the din and the chirping have drastically stopped.

You can see the evidence of the egg-laying by the browning of the trees all over the place.

I still see a few stragglers here and there, but they are few and far between.

I believe Brookfield was one of the first emergence areas so not suprizing they have checked out here early.

Comment by Pablo — June 22, 2007 [AT] 5:17 pm

If your around the forest preserves on harlem ave and joliet rd, they are still singing loudly. I posted yesterday on the Lagrange woods, but put it in the question section. It was very quiet with only pockets of Cicadas still singing. Maybe they were one of the first to emerge.Last week, it was very much louder.If anyone seen todays wgntv news at noon,then you heard what Tom Skilling said about Cicadas. I sent him an email,but I know it will never get answered.

Comment by rob — June 21, 2007 [AT] 6:52 pm

In my area of Wheaton it’s definitely much quieter over the past few days.

Comment by Lucy — June 21, 2007 [AT] 10:38 am

cicadas really seem to be dying off. Has anyone else noticed this? Not nearly as loud or prevalent….

Comment by jb — June 21, 2007 [AT] 7:09 am

Sorry for the last two entries (shows I dont know what im doing). Here are the links to the pic and the video:

Comment by Maria — June 18, 2007 [AT] 11:04 am

Sorry, I didnt tell you we were there Saturday and Sunday June 16/17.

Comment by Maria — June 18, 2007 [AT] 10:20 am

We were at Lake Geneva at Aurora University and the Cicada were EVERYWHERE. When we got there, as soon as we opened our windows, WOW… what a sound!! I managed to get a couple of great pictures and even recording their song. Not sure how to post it on here, but would be glad to.

Comment by Maria — June 18, 2007 [AT] 10:17 am

I’m heading to Lake Geneva, WI, the weekend of June 23-25. Could anyone tell me a good place to look for the caicadas? I would really love to see them or at the very least see the remains of a hatch and hear the songs.

Comment by Sheilah — June 18, 2007 [AT] 7:01 am

Have all of the cicadas emerged already? I live in Grayslake and still haven’t spotted any. Is it possible the soil around here still isn’t warm enough for them to emerge?

Comment by Gramps — June 17, 2007 [AT] 5:36 pm

Saw a few dead ones in Wheaton this morning, although the trees were full of singing cicadas yesterday.

Comment by Lucy — June 17, 2007 [AT] 4:52 am

Palos Heights is crawling with these things. I can’t cut my grass without dozens of them dive-bombing my face and getting caught in my hair. So many are now dying around my trees that it looks like Cicada mulch. The smell isn’t pretty either. Their wings are pretty, but I’m not a big fan

Comment by Colleen — June 17, 2007 [AT] 3:52 am

June 16 — Northeast side of West Chicago — No sign of any cicadas here until yesterday (Fri June 15), we saw & heard a few Friday, lots more heard today.

Not sure where they are emerging from, there are no signs of exit holes anywhere, but it sure sounds like they are FINALLY starting to show signs of life around here, although not in the huge numbers I have seen elsewhere.

Comment by Dave — June 16, 2007 [AT] 4:42 pm

Found one in my yard in Georgia this week

Comment by Susan Williams — June 15, 2007 [AT] 7:16 pm

Today I was boating down the Cedar River near Atalissa, Iowa. When we reached a portion of the river near the Wiese Slough Wildlife Management Area, my friend and I heard the cicadas singing. We found a cicada floundering around in the river, pulled it out and let it fly away. After we got back to my parents cabin we could hear more cicadas in the woods but due to the horrendous amounts of mosquitoes we didn’t go and check it out. But I can definately say in this part of Eastern Iowa, the cicadas are out, although apparently not in the huge numbers they are in Illinois.

Comment by Joel — June 14, 2007 [AT] 5:47 pm

Here are some photos of one that literally followed me out to my car in the parking lot of Hewitt building 3OP in Lincolnshire. I walked past it, it turned around and followed me.. I picked it up and took it home in my car’s glove box and then proceeded to take photos of it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/legoguy/tags/cicadas/

Comment by Andrew Keyser — June 14, 2007 [AT] 4:23 pm

Cicadas are all around Lincolnshire (esp. around the area of Hewitt buildings; they’re trying to get in through the revolving doors… unfortunately for them, it doesn’t work so well)

They’re also in Vernon Hills (near Westfield mall), and a VERY audible drone is coming from the MacArthur Woods Forest Preserve across rt. 21 from the mall.
This is somewhat close to the Old School Forest preserve (which I reported on last week)

Still waiting for them to show up in Gurnee next to the intersection of 45 & washington where my house is..

Comment by Andrew Keyser — June 14, 2007 [AT] 10:19 am

June 7, Large emergence in Big Foot Beach State Park (southern Wisconsin next to Lake Geneva). They emerged on the 7th and were still sitting low on the bushes the 8th and the morning of the 9th. As the day warmed up on the 9th they began to fly up into the trees. There was some singing, but it was not deafening yet.

I also visited a business park in Chicago, IL (Hewlitt?). Very loud with lots of fungus infected individuals.

Magicicada do not seem to sing as loud as other cicada species (as individuals). Is that true?

Comment by Douglas — June 14, 2007 [AT] 10:07 am

Valerie: its normal not to hear then at night. The only time you’ll hear them at night is if there’s enough artificial light present to made them think it’s daytime. It isn’t unusual to have small numbers of the insects in some areas.

Comment by Dan — June 14, 2007 [AT] 6:21 am

I live in south Wheaton. I hear the cicadas during the heat of the day but not at night. Is this normal? Also, there seem to be very few of them. I’ve only actually seen four bugs and I spend a lot of time outside.

Comment by Valerie McIntyre — June 14, 2007 [AT] 5:07 am

Coming into work this morning the side patio was littered with dead Magicicadas which I was surprised to see since we are in a fairly new industrial park, we’re at I55 and Weber Road in Romeoville. Do you think they emerged from this location or traveled here?

Comment by Mary B — June 14, 2007 [AT] 4:23 am

Well, I haven’t seen a single Magicicada until today. In Aurora,IL, they pretty much emerged today. I have only seen and heard Magicicada cassinis so far. No M. septendecim. Many of them are still very small. One landed on my neck and began to sing a song.

Comment by Daniela — June 13, 2007 [AT] 7:40 pm

You will not believe this. First of all, we live in Plainfield, in a subdivision that is only 10 years old. Yesterday morning, my 8 yr old son found a cicada at the bottom of the swimming pool. We got it out, it was stiff as a board, but my 6 yr old daughter wanted to keep it. We put it in a tupperware container, and this morning, IT WAS ALIVE! It sat at the bottom of our pool for at least 12 hours, and in a sealed container for another 12, and still lived!! We don’t know what to do with it, as it can’t move it’s wings enough to fly away. We don’t want any animals to eat it. These are amazing creatures!

Comment by Jill — June 13, 2007 [AT] 5:25 pm

I finally got to see some! One of the guys I work with brought some to work (in a cicada house) and they are so cool! Smaller than I imagined, but it sure made my day. I released them under a big tree, and they climbed right up and started singing.

Comment by Lucy — June 13, 2007 [AT] 3:56 pm

I am a long-time resident and nature photographer in Chicago, and remember the last invasion in ’90 (when I was 22). This time, it seems like there are even more.

I also drive a lot for work, and this gives me the unique opportunity to travel to/enjoy the surrounding suburbs. As the weeks have gone on, I noticed an increasing amount of cicadas until yesterday (the 12th), which I would estimate is the absolute peak for their numbers out in Elmhurst, where they are all over the downtown, and…

An incredible visual and auditory experience can be had if you head straight to the Des Plaines River Forest Preserves on Lake Ave., just east of River Road. There are tons, and the noise is so loud it is almost deafening.. after even 10 minutes of it, you almost have in your head what happens when you leave a loud rock concert!

I highly recommend to anyone who hasn’t experienced this relatively-rare nature phenomenon to get out and do it (and obtain photographic or video evidence)… for too many people simply take it for granted, and we won’t have this opportunity here again for 17 more years!

It is truly remarkable.

Thank you.

Comment by Bob Collins — June 13, 2007 [AT] 5:37 am

Brookfield is infested with them, went for a bike ride in the forest preserve near the zoo and the noise was deafening.

Comment by Tony — June 12, 2007 [AT] 2:09 pm

I live in Ottawa, Illinois and I’ve seen only one! Ottawa is near Marseilles, which is full of them, so I’m thinking the little guy (or girl) got lost. Here’s a picture of my little buddy sitting on my hand:

IMG NO LONGER EXISTS.

By the way, can anyone give me any information pertaining to Ottawa’s cicadas, or lack thereof?

Comment by Courtney — June 12, 2007 [AT] 9:59 am

check out the forest preserve just south of the tollway and the cumberland exit. The noise is so loud, that even with the car windows rolled up, ac on, and in traffic, you can hear the cicadas as you drive on the nw tollway! They are very active here, flying low.

Comment by S.Jensen — June 12, 2007 [AT] 6:26 am

They might be — they might be running out of steam.

Comment by Dan — June 11, 2007 [AT] 8:50 pm

New question Dan. I noticed today that the cicadas are flying lower than they have been the last few weeks. Are they wearing out? I really don’t want to get covered in them so I run to my apartment!!

Comment by Michelle — June 11, 2007 [AT] 7:34 pm

Tons of cicadas near the Purdue-North Central campus in Westville. Other than the area in Valparaiso at the intersection of US 6 and state route 49, not to many other spots in Laporte / Porter counties in Indiana.

Comment by Tbone — June 11, 2007 [AT] 4:53 pm

I was driving on Lorraine Rd. in Wheaton and, finally, heard the cicadas singing. It wasn’t deafening, but I hope they’ll be more the warmer it gets this week. I’m so anxious to see one.

Comment by Lucy — June 11, 2007 [AT] 4:18 pm

Sat JUN 09 2007 LOTS of cicadas flying across North Ave in Elmhurst between York Rd & Rt 83, also southside of I290 on the way to Oak Park & on Irving Park Rd in the Forest Preserves in Schiller Park. Even with the windows up, the noise is deafening.

Comment by PlantLust — June 11, 2007 [AT] 12:40 pm

I live in an old section of Lombard and they are out in force here! The noise is ear-splitting! For awhile it seemed as though it wouldn’t be as heavy an infestation as in 1990, but then the heat hit—and so did they! Some have even managed to crawl inside the netting I put on some of my shrubs. Amazingly, they are also out in the parking lots at Wannemakers on Ogden and the Trader Joe lot, also on Ogden!

Comment by Pat — June 11, 2007 [AT] 10:19 am

The forest preserves along the Desplaines River in Schiller Park are loaded with cicadas now. We went to a parking area on Irving Park Rd right along the river yesterday. The sound of their calls was louder than I’ve heard it yet and the trees are loaded with them flying among the branches and over the road. One even flew into our car window while we were driving! I think he was kind of mad that we wouldn’t let him out until we stopped the car near a tree (we didn’t want him getting hit by a car in the heavy traffic). He kept buzzing while we held him until we let him fly away.

I have a question about the sound they make. When we hear it in some areas where it is the loudest we actually hear two pitches. One is the buzzing that you expect to hear and the other is a higher pitched buzz sort of like the sound a jet makes when it is off in the distance and coming towards you. Is this change in pitch the sound of the cicadas coming from a distance? Or is it an echo of the sound? Or is one species making the lower sound and one species making the higher sound?

Comment by RH — June 10, 2007 [AT] 10:47 am

Rykk’s photos below are of a Pandora Sphinx moth.

Comment by T. Paul Wrobel — June 10, 2007 [AT] 3:51 am

Hello,

I saw this yesterday at work here in Virginia Beach. I walked back to the office and took this picture with my camera phone before it moved too far away. It looks just like a cicada, except the wings are solid, not clear and veiny. I’m posting both my original picture and my amateur attempt to brighten it up. The green is a very bright green, and the dark green is very dark. It also had it’s wings splayed out instead of backwards.

If it is a cicada, what kind is it?

IMAGES NO LONGER EXIST.

Comment by Rykk — June 9, 2007 [AT] 11:30 pm

The woods are loaded with them at Rt 6 and Old 49 north of Valparaiso,IN but not much else to the west. I did hear one for a short time in my tree in the front yard, but it was soon silent and no exoskeletons in my yard. Strange how they can be loaded in one area and absent in another adjacent area. Too much development I guess.

Comment by Dan — June 9, 2007 [AT] 9:02 pm

OH my gosh in the burbs of chicago in a forest preserve near the last exit on the tollway. by o’hare airport, ,MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS OF CICADAS!!! (literally im not kidding) my freind was right next to me and i had to yell for him to hear me 2 feet away over the 90 decible sound of cicadas. there were literally clouds of them. I cought about 200 in this bucket and let them go at a local forest near my house. you can see the whole life cycle!!! the nymphs, the mating, the shedding skin, a jet flew over and they got louder to OVERPOWER THE JET ENGINE 150 FEET ABVOVE US!!!! when we left my ears were aching from the sound. anyway you got the messege. lots of cicadas! TOLL WAY NEAR O’HARE!!! ROLL WINDOWS DOWN AND LISTEN> THEYRE IN SOME WOODS> THERES SO MANY YOU CAN SEE EM FLYIN AROUND!!!

Comment by Elijah — June 9, 2007 [AT] 7:20 pm

If you go straight west on 290, go to Elmhurst or Villa Park, you won’t have to do any hunting, they are everywhere here, i can’t find a way to get away from them in Villa Park.

Comment by jb — June 9, 2007 [AT] 4:51 pm

Hi, anyone know where the best place to go cicado hunting is? I’m new to the chicago area and want to see these bugs. Willing to drive out the ‘burbs, but unsure where to go. Thanks for any tips.

Comment by Amy — June 9, 2007 [AT] 11:49 am

Reporting about 10 (ten) Cicadas spotted in the Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville, IL.

Pics up on flickr, here:

Flickr Search

Comment by Andrew Keyser — June 8, 2007 [AT] 8:34 pm

I just wanted to report that I’ve heard cicadas in the forest preserves on Thornton Lansing Rd in Thornton, IL
as well as Lansing, IL in the area of Stony Island Ave.

I drive through Homewood, IL every day on the way home from work
and it’s quite noisy so I do know what they sound like.
They’re not swarming but I did feel like I wanted to
roll the windows up in my car as I was traveling
down 183rd St in Homewood.

Comment by Judy W. — June 8, 2007 [AT] 1:42 pm

Thanks Dan for for the answer, the drone is back again! I started out terrified by these little fellas and now I’m kind of taken by them, how weird is that!! I’m still kind of scared of them, but don’t tell anyone!! I still visit this website every day despite my reservations.

Comment by Michelle — June 8, 2007 [AT] 11:41 am

Yes- they need to dry out and be reasonably warm to sing.

Comment by Dan — June 8, 2007 [AT] 10:07 am

It’s so weird, all of the sound of cicadas is gone after the storms last night. I live in Downers Grove and we have a large amount in the trees outside our apartment. This morning there is no droning sound and I looked out the window and it looks like they’re all hanging on the trees sleeping or something. Anyone knows what’s up?

Comment by Michelle — June 8, 2007 [AT] 8:45 am

I live in Lombard and they’re HORRIBLE!! I think with today’s heat they decided to be really active. They are flying all over the place. The trees are full of constantly moving cicadas. I cannot safely make it to my car in the driveway. Neither the front or rear entrance is safe. A few rogue cicadas have made it inside by riding on my husband’s shirt and shoe. Ugh. My mom is in La Grange and we argue about who has it worse. My husband works in Oak Park and seen very few. I don’t mind the noise, I just can’t stand them flying all around.

Comment by Ellen — June 7, 2007 [AT] 10:10 pm

I live in a heavily wooded area in Lisle, not far from the Arboretum. We haven’t seen ANY here. You might hear a single one up in a tree now and then, but that’s it. I’m wondering if they are going to miss us, or if they will be here late. Anyone out there with answers????

Comment by Robin — June 7, 2007 [AT] 7:54 pm

West Nile Virus spray? Maybe. If they sprayed when the cicada were out and laying eggs. Normally pesticide is inert by the time in gets deep into the ground where they live.

Comment by Dan — June 7, 2007 [AT] 5:15 pm

We live on River Road — across from Schiller Woods in Schiller Park Illinois along the DesPlaines River….17 years ago the cicadas were so heavy in the DesPlaines — Oak Park area along River Road…they sounded like hail hitting the window when you’d drive through the woods…this time…nothing….we’ve seen a few half dead ones crawling on the ground — and on trees….but nothing at all like last time…is it over? Did they skip us? What gives? I know they sprayed the woods very heavily the past few years because of the West Nile Virus hitting alot of locals — I’m wondering if this coulda’ killed ’em off….any input would be appreciated.

Comment by John Vilona — June 7, 2007 [AT] 11:39 am

This morning on my way to work, i was driving with my window half way open, when all of a sudden i feel something hit me on the head. I looked to the backseat and happened to find a Cicada. The little fracker hit me on da head! lol….

Comment by Miguel A. Beltran — June 6, 2007 [AT] 4:25 pm

Oh my gosh they are everywhere! Massive amounts, we’re talking thousands upon thousands in Villa Park. They are flying into my car while driving and swarms flying about everywhere.

Comment by Sheri — June 6, 2007 [AT] 11:01 am

live in Crystal Lake and have been looking for 2 weeks, if they aren’t here already will they never be here, do i need to do some searching in other areas or just wait longer? Anyone know anything?

Comment by stephanie — June 6, 2007 [AT] 10:21 am

They truly are an incredible phenemonom of nature….none to very few in Libertyville but are in numbers in Lake Forest and I went to the western suburbs Saturday and it was unreal…..literally trillions in Western Springs Hinsdale La Grange The Morton Arboretum etc…..thye have to be sen and heard to be believed !

Comment by Bill — June 5, 2007 [AT] 10:55 am

Okay, I’m trying to find the miraculous wonder and intrigue that you guys have been delighting in with these cicadas.

Although it’s been facinating reading about them, as I travel through Chicago’s Beverly area on my way to work and see legions of cicadas swarming tree’s to my left and to my right, up and down both 99th and 103rd street I know in my heart what is true.I will probably still raise my car windows with the sincere belief that if one of these things were to touch me I’d go into cardiac arrest, pass out and ultimately die.

Forgive me.

Comment by Melissa — June 4, 2007 [AT] 6:07 pm

Another fantastic site to view the magicicadas is the campus of Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL. We had a wonderful time with the kids listening and watching all phases of cicada life!!! Very scenic, easy to park and walk around. Check it out!

Comment by S.Jensen — June 4, 2007 [AT] 4:44 pm

hey,
incredible,thousands upon thousands flying thruout the trees,sing,kind of a bummer cleaning up after the empty shell casings.7:30 PM the backyard was boiling with another batch of nymph’s.W. side of Wonder Lake.Il.

Comment by j.mayer — June 4, 2007 [AT] 2:57 am

Amazingly I just heard an (unmistakable) septendecim from my backyard here in Bloomington, Indiana (south central part of the state). Is this a Brood XIII cicada way out of its territory or a Brood X straggler (3 years late)?

Comment by Mike Gasser — June 3, 2007 [AT] 8:14 am

JUST UPDATED my site. Check it out. Lots of images of the Midwest magicicadas.

https://www.seventeenyearcicada.com

PS Please put a link on your homepage.

Comment by John — June 2, 2007 [AT] 11:45 pm

We went to Goodrich Park in Naperville, IL today and my what a sight! We were driving to another location to see the cicadas but as we drove past Goodrich we heard the deafening buzz of the cicadas even though we had the windows rolled up and music playing. We got a few pictures that I uploaded on Flickr, but I have to say that several hours later my ears are still ringing! I’m thrilled I got to experience this.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8466803@N04/

My fave pic: tonya
Comment by Tonya — June 2, 2007 [AT] 8:25 pm

Went to McKinley Woods in Channahon today to see the cicadas, and lots of exit holes and shells, but they’re all way up in the trees so on the way home, near the I&M Canal and Rt. 6 heard the unmistakeable buzz and pulled over only to be surrounded by many Magicicadas! I gotta tell you that they get kinda ticked off when you try and pick them off a branch and let you know so. I think they know they’ve got a job to do and don’t detract them from it!
What a beautiful work of art this insect is and what a shame they’re with us only once every 17 years.

Comment by Mary B — June 2, 2007 [AT] 5:35 pm

I live in Alsip, IL and I haven’t seen any cicadas yet, but I can hear them in the woods along the Cal Sag Channel.

Comment by Julie B — June 2, 2007 [AT] 2:26 pm

Sugar Grove, Il

I have not seen a single cicada as of yet in my area. Even went to the forest preserve [Bliss Woods], not a thing. When do we giv up looking for them?

Comment by Deb — June 1, 2007 [AT] 11:39 am

IF THEY ARE NOT OUT BE NOW JUNE 1ST DOES THAT MEAN MY AREA WILL NOT GET THEM?

Comment by JOE TEPE — June 1, 2007 [AT] 9:17 am

A friend of mine spotted two cicadas at the McBride Raptor Center outside of Iowa City, Iowa last night.

Comment by Joel — June 1, 2007 [AT] 6:18 am

I volunteer at the Macbride Raptor Center in Solon, IA, and spotted at least 2 cicadas in the woods there last night. I almost stepped on one, but was careful to navigate on my way to the nature center. I’ll keep my eye out for further sightings.

Comment by Dawn — June 1, 2007 [AT] 6:16 am

Nothing so far in the Cary area. Does anyone think the weird weather this year has anything to do with the inconsistency? Haven’t seen or heard one at all.

Comment by TJ — June 1, 2007 [AT] 5:38 am

I was at the Rogers Lakewood park in Valparaiso and saw thousands upon thousands of shedded skins at the bases of trees and clinging to the lower branches. Saw a few unsuccessful emergences stuck dead in their shells too. Many, many gulls were picking through the grass and eating them. Hopefully the gulls didn’t make a dent in the adult numbers as I don’t think gulls this far inland is a natural thing….they are scavengers.

Comment by Dan — June 1, 2007 [AT] 4:04 am

one of these SOB’s fell in my orange juice cup this morning. they’re getting out of control. i can’t wait til they’re gone. how much longer do we have to deal with them?

Comment by jb — May 31, 2007 [AT] 1:29 pm

Highland Park, IL
Went outside this morning and there was no mistaking the cicada’s chorus that greeted me. There definately emerging on a consistant basis in our area, but if it’s going to be anything like it was in 1990, I would have to say that the majority of them are still underground. Can’t imagine how loud they will be when the rest of them arrive! Looking forward to it though, as I think it is a very cool sound.

Comment by DV — May 31, 2007 [AT] 8:47 am

hey,
day by day where seeing more,our backyard,as hundreds of empty shells,with more showing up every day.incredible yet odd,they showed up on 5-24,by sat.5-26 we could here them in the distant s,everyday it sounds a bit closer / louder yet our trees are silent,yesterday the sound appeared to be a couple blocks away,yet our trees and the neighbors are silent,has anyone else came across this?i know their still in the trees,when the birds land on the branches,the cicada’s scatter,odd.i have also noticed cicada’s with deformed wings or have died while shedding their shell. W.side of Wonder Lake.

Comment by j.mayer — May 31, 2007 [AT] 7:19 am

I’m way up in northern IL, in the easternmost corner… Has anyone seen or heard any up near me (Winthrop Harbor/Zion area)? I’ve taken my son to Van Patten woods on several days over the past couple weeks, but we’ve only found mosquitos!

Anything up near us???

Comment by Linda — May 31, 2007 [AT] 6:11 am

The emergence is on just east of Portage, IN. Just when I thought we wouldn’t get any, I heard a lone cicada in the tree a few doors down. I was working in my garden and noticed the ground just under the surface was riddled with holes a bit bigger around than a pencil. I have yet to find some skins, but they will turn up. I remember them here as a kid in 1973 and am glad they have not been wiped out by development.

Comment by Dan — May 30, 2007 [AT] 7:20 pm

I posted in the wrong spot!! They are the Magicicada cicadas up in McHenry! They are on Chickaloon Drive, and some can be found on Curran Road. Once you turn onto Chickaloon, start looking at the trees, amilboxes, telephone poles, whatever… they are on it!! Once you turn onto Chickaloon, if you drive about 1 block, you will start to see them. There are newly hatched ones, the “ghost” ones, and adults are flying, singing and buzzing around! There are so many empty shells littering the ground as well! It was an awesome spectacle of nature!! This was at 6:30 pm today, 5-30-07!

Comment by Kathryn — May 30, 2007 [AT] 5:51 pm

I haven’t seen any in Chesterton, Indiana or in the Indiana Dunes. I wonder if the sandy soil keeps them away. But yesterday (May 29) after work I drove to the Moraine Nature Preserve just south of Highway 6 and just east of Calumet Ave. (Old 49). As I approached my usual parking spot, I spotted empty skins on the trees, a hopeful sign. I parked at the edge of the forest and the beginning of a prairie, stepped out, and immediately heard the hummmmm. It wasn’t deafening, but it was very apparent and it seemed to come from all directions. A few steps from my car and there they were in all their buggie red-eyed glory: perched on trees, climbing up blades of grass, and, pretty quickly, climbing up me. I’m used to the skittish annual cicadas, so was a bit surprised (despite all I’d read) at how docile these little critters really are. What an amazing the force of nature! I’m definitely coming back here again to enjoy the “show.”

Comment by Steve — May 30, 2007 [AT] 12:11 pm

If you get a chance to see the cicadas shedding their shells, don’t miss it. Its a beautiful sight! It happens sometime between 9 pm -11 pm, maybe also as late as midnight. We don’t have cicadas naturally in our backyard, but we saw a yard where all of the trees had their trunks wrapped in plastic to keep the cicadas from climbing them, so we took about 30 of them home, let most of them go on a tree in our backyard and kept a few in a terrarium. It was amazing watching them come out of their shells! They are completely white except for 2 little black stripes on the top of their heads that look like bushy eyebrows above their red eyes. Their wings are shriveled up little stubs but after they are totally out of the shell, their wings start to unfold and they look like they are wearing white lace wedding dresses as they spread out their wings to let them dry.

The heaviest gathering of cicadas that we’ve seen so far is in La Grange and Countryside, but I’ve heard that Brookfield Zoo has a lot of them too.

Comment by RH — May 30, 2007 [AT] 7:25 am

They are emerging in Franklin Park as of a couple hours ago. It’s like hundreds came out of no where. I have not seen any in Melrose Park, Northlake,River Grove. Oak Park or Forest Park.

Comment by Franklin Park IL — May 29, 2007 [AT] 9:37 pm

Northbrook. I think I might have begun to hear the cicada’s songs this morning. Maybe?! I was sitting on my porch and, suddenly, all the squirrels and chipmunks started acting totally nuts! I then noticed a sort of background humming noise that seemed to be getting louder. I dunno…maybe it was a truck! The cicadas are in full force a couple blocks over and are now coming out in droves every night in my block.

Comment by Shelly — May 29, 2007 [AT] 7:32 am

My parents live in Forest Park and as of Saturday the cicadas had not yet emerged. People I know in Western Springs and Park Ridge have both had emergences already.

Comment by Bruno Cattivabrutto — May 29, 2007 [AT] 7:07 am

I live in wilmette and have a seen a few dead carcasses on the sidewalk so far. I grew up in a ciccada-free location, though we did have gang violence. any idea how much of this is going to hit wilmette? I haven’t heard of any wilmette/evanston/winnetka sightings. do they come to the lakefront as much as western suburbs?

My wife is really terrified and she was 13 the last time around and she describes the ciccadas like a zombie movie — crunch, crunch, crunch.

Comment by briand — May 28, 2007 [AT] 7:10 pm

their threw out are neighborhood now,early mornings,backyard has youngster that cracked out during the nite,we can hear them afew blocks away ,but not a sound is coming from our backyard yet.Wonder Lake,Il.

Comment by j.mayer — May 28, 2007 [AT] 7:18 am

Saw a ton of shells yesterday on trees and lightposts driving through part of River Forest (Forest Park?) by Chicago Ave and Thatcher.
Went back today to the nature center at the forest preserve at that intersection, and saw alot of adults hanging out, and empty shells. More of them than I’d expect had deformed wings. Got to see one of them hatch out of its shell, a recently hatched one with unfurled wings, still white, and another nymph getting started. Took a lot of pictures, which I’ll send along. They are so cool! This is my first time seeing the magicicadas. Where I grew up in Detroit we only ever got the annual ones.

Comment by Melanie — May 27, 2007 [AT] 8:05 pm

I have seen lots of cicadas in my neighborhood. This evening my husband and I were out on the driveway and yard around our house and we saw dozens of nymphs coming out of the grass, crawling across our driveway, heading for trees. I went to look for molting nymphs in my neighbor’s garden, and eureka! I saw several in various stages of molting, including one with new wings, another with growing wings, and another literally hanging from its shell. I felt something on my leg while I was standing there, and saw nymphs crawling up my leg!
In the mornings, we see newly grown adults just resting on our house and our deck. They are easy to pick up and I brought a few to school the other day to show my students.
I expected lots of cicadas here (Des Plaines), because seventeen years ago they were very prevalent when I lived just two blocks from where I live now!
However, I haven’t really HEARD them yet!

Comment by Katy Berman — May 27, 2007 [AT] 8:05 pm

We saw thousands at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL. It’s fair to say the ground was crawling with them.

I’m sending a few pictures to the webmaster.

Comment by Bob Aldaz — May 27, 2007 [AT] 3:48 pm

I didn’t actually see any cicadas, but while driving through Elmhurst & Glen Ellyn this afternoon their unmistakable singing was very loud.

Comment by Lucy — May 27, 2007 [AT] 1:09 pm

I drove to Illinois from Detroit this morning to photograph the cicadas. I didn’t find the numbers I was hoping for but did see a few hundred. I found them in DuPage county at Fullersburg Woods, Maple Grove and York Woods Forest Preserves but the majority were on trees in the Hinsdale business park.

Comment by T. Paul Wrobel — May 26, 2007 [AT] 9:01 pm

I haven’t seen a single Cicada. I Live in Michigan City, Indiana. I was really looking forward to at least hearing a few. Per the Brood 13 map, we are supposed to be getting some, anyone know?

Comment by Michael Hodge — May 25, 2007 [AT] 10:22 pm

Well, I guess Naperville is not old enough for the cicadas. I grew up in Downers Grove and we had many many Cicadas as a kid. Too many corn fields around here. I have not seen one cicadas. Where have all the cicadas gone?? 🙁 🙁

Comment by Ray — May 25, 2007 [AT] 8:29 pm

I live in Flossmoor and I have been in this area all my life, so I’ve seen the ’56, ’73, and ’90 cicadas but I have never seen so many seagulls eating cicadas! It’s amazing! They fly down the street in large groups of about 50 birds and devour any cicadas on the ground or on the bottom of the tree trunks.

Comment by Sue — May 25, 2007 [AT] 5:16 pm

We’re in Elmhurst. They first showed up on the morning of the 23rd. There were 11 on our small tree in the front yard. Today, the same tree has over 100! But we’ve got a lot of big trees in our backyard, and holes every 6 to 8 inches in the lawn, and none have emerged there yet, so I think three’s plenty more to come… yikes!

Comment by Mike — May 25, 2007 [AT] 12:05 pm

For those of you that are missing out, come to Villa Park, there are thousands. Most still in shells but in a few days they will all be out. It’s going to be a nightmare, like a Hitchcock movie.

Comment by Sheri — May 25, 2007 [AT] 10:49 am

I found a newly emerged adult cicada coming out of it’s shell this morning in the 200 block of North Kenilworth in Oak Park. This is the first live cicada that I’ve seen this year. I brought it home to let my cats observe and one of my cats, Dino, ate it.

Comment by Rick Pavia — May 25, 2007 [AT] 8:35 am

New Lenox, IL
Finally got a nice showing at dawn (much to our surprise). Our 7 year old old was able to bring in the largest nymph we found getting ready to crawl up a tree along with an adult (in seperate jars) to school. Never seen a crowd of kids gather so fast to check them out! 🙂 3 year old also enjoyed showing the neighbors a nymph she’s going watch shed.

There were approx. 75 around around our elm tree and many shed skins on most trees we observed in neighboring yards.

Comment by Chrissie — May 25, 2007 [AT] 8:26 am

Highland Park, IL
It has begun…
just before dusk last night we spotted several shells near the trees in our yard. Went back outside after dark and you couldn’t walk in the grass without stepping on them. It was quite an amazing site to see all of them navigating their way through the grass towards the nearest tree.

Comment by DV — May 25, 2007 [AT] 7:20 am

we now have 25/30 open shells in the backyard,and around 15 crawling around the house,hope this isn’t all will see.

Comment by j.mayer — May 24, 2007 [AT] 3:19 pm

Elmwood Park, IL.
Saw 3 shells on trees yesterday. Saw about 20 live cicadas on sidewalk at about 10 p.m. They seem to bask in the light of the streetlamp. Saw many shells on the sidewalks in E.P. while driving to work this morning!

Comment by Sandy — May 24, 2007 [AT] 8:56 am

I live in Highland Park. Last night we found 3 cicadas crawling out of their holes. With the warm weather we have been having, I was sure that the major emergence in our area would have occurred last night, but it didn’t. Still waiting…

Comment by DV — May 24, 2007 [AT] 7:00 am

Unfortunately, we won’t see any in Wilmington, even though I live along the river with huge old trees. My neighbors told me the cicadas don’t like Wilmington 🙂
Guess I’ll have to travel back to my old neighborhood in Westchester to visit with the grandkids of the cicadas I saw back in ’73.

Comment by Mary B — May 24, 2007 [AT] 6:36 am

I’m also still (impatiently) waiting in Lisle. I practically live in a forest, and I haven’t seen ONE here!

Comment by RG — May 24, 2007 [AT] 5:24 am

I want to see the Cicadas. No sign of them in downtown Naperville yet. Is tonight the night?

Comment by Ray — May 23, 2007 [AT] 9:22 pm

They’re here…..on Glenview, at least. I walked out the back door this morning — there were cicadas and shells everywhere. On the deck, the patio and all of the plants. I turned around and walked right back in! Our neighbor’s lawn had so many in it is looked like the lawn was moving. And I understand the big emergence isn’t until tonight and tomorrow. Ughhh!

Comment by Clare — May 23, 2007 [AT] 1:12 pm

Saw my first-ever magicicada on the Dominican University campus in River Forest just a few minutes ago, on the patio near the library. Haven’t seen any others yet, on campus or at home in Franklin Park.

Comment by Christine — May 23, 2007 [AT] 11:32 am

There were 11 on our tree yesterday. Today, my wife (who was in England in 1990) says she’s trapped in the house… They’re everywhere!

Comment by Mike — May 23, 2007 [AT] 10:28 am

They have just started emerging in Des Plaines, IL. Some shells on sidewalk and saw about 20 on one tree while walking dog. However, not everywhere YET!!
Very exciting!

Comment by Jan — May 23, 2007 [AT] 9:53 am

Noticed first shell on my driveway this AM. Belvidere, IL. I’m in a new sub division without any old trees so this guy had to travel more than 2-3 blocks.

Comment by B.Cihak — May 23, 2007 [AT] 7:35 am

They’re everywhere! Naperville, IL. I spotted thousands in the grass while I was walking my dogs.

Comment by Ben — May 23, 2007 [AT] 7:20 am

I was in the backyard yesterday,05-22.planting some day lillies,dug three small holes,about 8 deep,found five,young’ins just under the surface,west side of wonder lake,il.

Comment by j.mayer — May 23, 2007 [AT] 3:33 am

They were out, just as predicted, this morning in Elmhurst.

Comment by Kristi — May 22, 2007 [AT] 6:32 pm

We live in Orland Park and went on a cicada hunt last night and were able to find 6! By the time we were going in the house, they were coming out. We could hear the lava rocks in front of our house shifting as they emerged from the ground.

Comment by Kristen — May 22, 2007 [AT] 9:33 am

Thank God! I have not seen them… Lake Station, IN

Comment by Conni — May 22, 2007 [AT] 9:19 am

The last emergence I have seen of Brood XIII was in 1956 (moved from NW Indiana in ’71). I will be back in the Crown Point, IN area the second weekend in June and am looking forward to meeting the Great-grand children of the Magicada I met in 1956.

Comment by Richard Berg — May 22, 2007 [AT] 9:14 am

My students just took a field trip around our school to see if we could find any. We didn’t! We can’t wait. We are in Joliet, Illinois.

Comment by Jill Kelley — May 22, 2007 [AT] 8:59 am

I wish you guys would stop whining about the cicadas. They are beautiful creatures that only grace us with their presence every once every 17 YEARS! I, for one, can’t wait to get home from work so that I can sit outside and take in the beauty of these lovely creatures.

Comment by jt — May 22, 2007 [AT] 8:54 am

Lots started coming out yesterday and today here in Crown Point, IN. All stages. I grew up in Downers Grove and remember my dad shoveling them off the sidewalks with a snow shovel last time they emerged. Was curious to see if we’d see them here, and sure enough, our woods are full : )

Happy watching!

Comment by Crown Point IN — May 22, 2007 [AT] 8:52 am

My wife just called to tell me the cicadas are really starting to come out in Villa Park. She was taking my son for a walk and saw them beginning to cover the trees. I don’t think i want to come home from work today.

Comment by jb — May 22, 2007 [AT] 8:40 am

There are several in our backyard in Homewood (south suburbs) flying around. We saw the first two adults here Saturday, when it was 52 degrees! They almost seemed to have come out early by accident, they were pretty sluggish. I can’t wait to see the emergence really get going here, we had a LOT last time.

Comment by Vera — May 22, 2007 [AT] 8:33 am

Cicadas are so cool! I love finding them in my backyard and I love holding them. How do U know when they r gonna come out next? I totally love there colors and sounds they make so many of my friends hate these things but I don’t see y they aren’t harmfull!! See ya

Comment by Shawna Baker — May 22, 2007 [AT] 8:26 am

Sheri, I’m sorry that you don’t like these things. I find it simply amazing that they do this every 17 years. I wonder how long they’ve been doing this and how they got started. Millions of years??? Anybody know???

I lived in Cicero for the ’73 Cicada emergence. We really didn’t have any coming out of the ground or on trees where we lived. However, we did have a massive swarm one day that was like a black cloud that came through. A friend & I were playing wiffle ball when it happened, so we spent an hour swatting Cicada’s…kids!!!

I live in Westmont. I saw a bunch Sunday in our back back yard. A cold rain put the dampers on them and I saw NONE yesterday after work. NOT SO TODAY!!! They’re coming up out of the ground all over my yard. They’re on trees. They’re coming out of their shell, spreading their wings, and are white at first. I can only imagine the invasion when I get home from work tonight…looking forward to it.

Comment by Mike from Westmont, IL. — May 22, 2007 [AT] 6:56 am

My dog and I saw a few shell casings on our morning walk in Elmhurst, Illinois. Also, she found a still-blonde one in the grass — and ate it!

Comment by Ellen — May 22, 2007 [AT] 5:44 am

My daughter counted 13 in downtown Geneva, IL yesterday (Sunday) while working. 12 shells and 1 flying.

Comment by Bob Aldaz — May 21, 2007 [AT] 7:41 pm

Found a few on a sunny construction fence near my home in Elmhurst, IL — Saturday morning (5/19/2007).

Comment by Vincent Hradil — May 21, 2007 [AT] 10:58 am

None near the Kishwaukee river yet, but expect many as there are forest lands and parks with old trees. Looking for them in Dekalb county.

Comment by Debb — May 21, 2007 [AT] 10:48 am

Saw about 3 doxen cicadas while walking the dog this morning. I’m sure there’s more to come.

Comment by BonnieH — May 21, 2007 [AT] 9:33 am

I moved to Wilmington, IL, just over two years ago and live in a 50+ year old house with 50+ year old trees along the Kankakee River near the Des Plaines Conservation Area. I am sooo looking forward to having the cicadas in my yard, but I’m not sure if I’ll get any. I remember them from the spring of 1973 in Westchester and our yard was covered with them. I hope to see them soon (keeping my fingers crossed).

Comment by Mary B — May 21, 2007 [AT] 7:33 am

I went golfing today (Sunday May 20th) and as I went searching through the woods for my ball, I saw a Cicada sitting on a leaf near a small oak tree. The golf course is located near Henry, IL about 35 miles north of Peoria, IL…

Comment by Derek Scott — May 20, 2007 [AT] 8:33 pm

We live in a home built in 1923 with oak trees all over our front lawn just as old. While gardening on the 5th & 6th of May I noticed wholes appearing in the ground and saw a couple of dead cicadas sitting in them. By the next Monday I had counted over 100 holes in the ground. Today May 20th I saw 4 cicadas already. I think we are getting them WAAAAAY earlier then most, or so it’s sounds like.
Lombard, Illinois

Comment by Kimberly — May 20, 2007 [AT] 7:41 pm

We recently moved to MI and was wondering what parts of the state will see the Cicadas. We had them in WV and they totally freaked me out. We are in the middle of Michigan. Is there any way to check and see when they plan to attack our area? Thanks!

Comment by Carol — May 20, 2007 [AT] 7:39 pm

It’s not cool Mike, it’s terrifying, I’m already starting to hyperventilate. How can you guys be so calm about this, oh yeah, you’re guys. Personally, I don’t want cicadas getting caught in my hair and sticking to my clothes, in the car, etc..

Comment by Sheri — May 20, 2007 [AT] 7:10 pm

I live in Westmont, Illinois. The Cicada’s are coming up in sunny areas. My back backyard is LOADED. I see some coming up here and there in the areas of my property that are mostly shady. The birds are having a treat. And I’m seeing variety of birds that I rarely see going after them. Pretty cool!!!

Comment by Mike — May 20, 2007 [AT] 2:15 pm

A single Magicicada flew into me while I was gardening in my backyard this afternoon in Wheaton, IL. There are no obvious cicada chimneys in my yard, so I’m not sure where he/she came from.

Comment by Cheryl — May 20, 2007 [AT] 12:57 pm

Emergence has begun in Palos Heights, IL. The Forest Preserve accross the street is loaded with cicado. They have already shed their exoskelton and are everywhere. It’s great.

Comment by Sandy — May 20, 2007 [AT] 12:40 pm

Emergence has begun in LaGrange. As of this morning (5/20), we have a sprinling of split shells and adults in various parts of our yard. Expecting many more over the next couple of days. They look great on the salvia and iris!

Comment by Rene — May 20, 2007 [AT] 10:59 am

Mari, In 2004, we had set up 15 sites with different orientations such as south sunny, south shade, north shade, …. The cicadas emerged at the south sunny sites before the shady locations. Also, once the emergence started it continued for several days.

Comment by Gene Kritsky — May 20, 2007 [AT] 6:05 am

On a walk this evening we saw cicada nymphs emerging in Brookfield, IL south of the tracks and west of Prairie Ave. but when we crossed north of the tracks and east of Prairie into Kiwanis Park there were no nymphs emerging. Can the ground temperature be that different just blocks apart?

Comment by Mari — May 19, 2007 [AT] 9:54 pm

I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the 17 years cidadas. The Magicicadas began emerging in my yard this morning in Flossmoor, IL. I am located about 25 miles south of Chicago. I live in an older area of Flossmoor and expect a large number to emerge. It’s pretty exciting!

Comment by Sue — May 19, 2007 [AT] 7:51 pm

I thought I was the only cicada nut around! I’ve been talking about these criters since I was pregnant with my first child, summer of 1974. Driving throught Elmhurst in a VW beetle with a manual-control sunroof was quite exciting…expecially down Poplar where there is a canopy of old huge trees over the street. Seventeen years later, I was walking near Elmhurt Hospital when the cicada emerged. Seems like they covered the grass as they marched in unison toward tree trunks. As I recall, each hole was only a few inches from one another. Eventually, every tree trunk in town was litterally covered with cicada. My daughter was a highschooler. Now she’s teaching biology and working toward her PHD. Hope I can plan having the grandkids over at the “special moment” when the cicada emerge again in Elmhurst.

Comment by Kathy — May 18, 2007 [AT] 10:07 pm

I am moving this weekend to the western suburbs of Chicago. I am expecting to see lots and lots of them. I have asked a neighbor of mine if I can borrow her cats for a few weeks. The kitties will have the time of their life with the lil guys. I have their songs playing on my computer all day. Driving my co-workers absolutely nuts.

Comment by Erin — May 17, 2007 [AT] 1:34 pm

We have found a few nymphs while gardening (Northbrook, IL) but have not seen any chimneys yet… they are supposed to arrive May 22. I am obsessed with cicadas!

Comment by Kristina — May 15, 2007 [AT] 11:55 am

snapping off chimneys may decrease their viability.

Comment by Dan — May 14, 2007 [AT] 1:17 pm

As i mow my lawn i have no way of avoiding the chimneys, i step on them and crack them all over the place. does this mean they will die before they emerge?

Comment by jb — May 14, 2007 [AT] 1:06 pm

I say not to snap them off because you don’t want to prematurely expose the nymphs. The tunnels protect from from weather and predators.

Comment by Dan — May 10, 2007 [AT] 2:59 pm

David — the posts from California and Sharon, PA were from last year.

Dan, why shouldn’t we crack off the top of the mud tunnels? I haven’t seen any to do it, but I’d like to know why we shouldn’t (so I can pass along to the kids I work with). Thanks!

Comment by Robin — May 10, 2007 [AT] 2:52 pm

The California cicadas are from an entirely different genus (probably Okanagana) that emerges each spring. They are not periodical, although they are dark-colored with orange like Magicicada. They should not have red eyes.

The Sharon, PA emergences are interesting because there is not supposed to be brood XIII there — if those really are periodical cicadas then they are perhaps very late Brood VIII cicadas?

Comment by David Marshall — May 10, 2007 [AT] 7:35 am

Don’t crack off the top!

Comment by Dan — May 9, 2007 [AT] 4:47 am

We have the empty holes. We have some holes that raccoons seem to have dug up. But I can’t find a cicada anywhere. I’m starting to think its aliens. Where have they gone?

Comment by Kath — May 8, 2007 [AT] 10:29 pm

We’re in Downers Grove, IL. Our entire yard is covered with these little mounds of dirt. If you crack the mound off, you’ll see the cicada sitting there staring up at you. And where there are not mounds, you can scrape the top half inch of dirt off and find tons of holes! We’ve got them EVERYWHERE!!!

Comment by MW — May 8, 2007 [AT] 7:15 pm

It’s actually beneficial to your lawn because they’re aerating it for you! People pay landscaping services $100s of dollars for aerating — the cicadas will do it for free!

Comment by Dan — May 4, 2007 [AT] 7:21 am

Does anyone know if these “chimneys” in my yard will affect my grass? I am 26 years old and don’t really remember the last cicada emergence. I’m in the midst of preparing my house to sell and I’m afraid that these cicadas will ruin my lawn before we sell.

Comment by jb — May 4, 2007 [AT] 6:53 am

After a month of searching, we finally dug up a Periodical Cicada nymph in our own garden in Oak Park, Illinois! We posted information and a photo on our blog: https://cicadablog.saltthesandbox.org/

Thanks to all the other folks who found cicada nymphs and burrows and inspired us to try again.

Eric

Comment by Eric Gyllenhaal — May 2, 2007 [AT] 9:01 pm

Thank you JB in Villa Park — I live in Homewood, south of the city and I was totally upset yesterday when I saw about 30 or more 1/2inch holes in my back yard — as you noted they are like aerations! Didn’t even cross my mind they could be cicadas. I’m still hoping so, as I’m reading about cicada wasps (eat the cicadas) leaving these type holes also.
What an interesting spring/summer we are going to have!

Comment by CJ — May 2, 2007 [AT] 8:33 am

I’m in Wilmette, IL. Was gardening yesterday (Monday) and lifted a path stone. Underneath were about 17 fat wiggling cicadas right under the surface of the stone. Lifted another stone, same story. Also found them in the compost pile. I have also noted some exit holes near the foundation of the house under the shrubbery on the north side.

Comment by Martha Hellander — May 1, 2007 [AT] 9:41 am

I’m in Villa Park, IL and noticed that my lawn had finally been aerated. Upon further inspection, they had not come to aerate yet, but my lawn was full of mounds of dirt and holes. I’ve learned that these cicadas are on their way up. My front yard is FULL of these things.

Comment by jb — April 30, 2007 [AT] 6:21 am

I’m in Chicago Western suburbs, and I was working the garden. There were 10 that I saw less than 1 inch below the surface and I was working in a 6 inch diameter circle. Lots of holes in the dirt as well. I was working in a southwest facing garden, and the sun was very warm today. These guys are raring to go, I think!! I brought me son out to see it and he thought it was totally cool.

I don’t know if I’m ready for them quite yet. I’m supposed to be camping in a few weeks, as well as kayaking. I may have to bring the dental floss!

Comment by HueyGirl — April 28, 2007 [AT] 10:25 am

Ok i just found a magicada! Full size as my daughter was playing with it! lol. I am in Delavan Wisconsin so they are defiently here!

Comment by Jennifer — April 25, 2007 [AT] 8:38 am

A cicada is the fruit of the land. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sautee it. There’s, um, Cicada kebabs, cicada creole, cicada gumbo, pan fried, deep fried, stir fried. There’s pineapple cicada and lemon cicada, coconut cicada, pepper cicada, cicada soup, cicada stew, cicada salad, cicada and potatoes, cicada burger, cicada sandwich… That’s, that’s about it.

Comment by Jerry — April 24, 2007 [AT] 1:06 pm

Great news Rene!

Comment by Dan — April 24, 2007 [AT] 10:12 am

Today, while gardening in a friend’s yard in SE Elmhurst, I noticed several nickel-sized holes around me. I peeked into one and saw two red eyes staring back at me! This part of her garden is mostly barren, dry clay in a full-sun location. There were no chimneys, just exit holes. I found a dozen of these holes in a 5 x 5 area and the residents were all about 4-6 from the surface. In a spadefull of soil, I found many more active magicicadas near the surface and I carefully replanted them.

Comment by Rene‘ — April 23, 2007 [AT] 8:02 pm

Eric — looks that way to me. Looks like a nymph and a mud chimney.

Comment by Dan — April 10, 2007 [AT] 4:28 am

Hi, Dan,

Thanks for all your work spreading the word about cicadas!

My kids and I are trying to beat the late spring rush by finding the earliest periodical cicadas in the Chicago area. Could you help us out by (1) confirming that the live nymph we found last weekend was annual, not periodical, and (2) telling us if you think the burrows we found this weekend are early examples of perioidcal cicada burrows?

The photos are on this page:
http://www.saltthesandbox.org/cicada_hunt/PeriodicalHunt2007.htm

Thanks,

Eric

Comment by Eric Gyllenhaal — April 10, 2007 [AT] 3:37 am

Hi Im from St Charles, MO. I have a bunch of dead cicada’s on my front porch. I hear them day and night in our trees.

December 31, 2006

2006 Annual Cicada Sightings

Filed under: Annual | Old Message Board — Dan @ 1:01 am

I am in Prince Edward Island, Canada, on the 13th of OCTOBER, a 2" long plus insect that I think must be a Cicada of some kind, dark brown, reasonably active still this am, was on the door, (attracted by the light that I have beside the door), the weather this fall has been unreasonably ( 🙂 ) warm with ~70 degree weather two or three days this week, normally I have Cicadas on the trees and of house only in August, has anyone else seen this or is it a fluke ? I have searched the outside of the house but only the one lonesome charlie.

Comment by Tom Purdy — October 14, 2006 [AT] 5:17 am

I live in Raleigh, NC area, and just spotted my first cicada the night before last which was August 20, 2006. I freaked out when I saw this huge bug on my front porch screen, but after a few seconds realized that it must be a locust or cicada. The markings/colorings on these insects are incredible. I decided to do a little research to be sure and found this website. So, there you are!

Comment by P. Sapp — August 22, 2006 [AT] 4:36 am

my son and i live in crittenden ky. 30 mi. south of cincinnati oh.and have sighted many green and black cicadas.the noise from these are loud and the noise has been around for about 2 to 3 weeks.can anyone tell us exactly what species they are, how often these come out and when they will disappear? we are very interested. sincerely,s. goldsworth

Comment by s.goldsworth — August 21, 2006 [AT] 1:50 pm

Arghhhh! That noise! Here I take a week off from work in the middle of August to spend with my children, and every evening, I hear the deafening sound of the cicada! I thought we weren’t due for another emergency for another ten years or so. I live in Athens, Ohio, where the brood hatched in 1999 during my daughter’s outdoor birthday party (what a memory for her… kids screeming as the fly overhead , getting caught in their hair! What fun!) so we were not expecting the hissing of summer lawns for another decade. What gives?

Comment by Kirk G — August 18, 2006 [AT] 7:44 am

I am having trouble identifying this cicada I caught. I was hoping someone could identify it for me? Here are the pictures.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/NobdyYouKnoNEway/Bugs/P1010028-1.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/NobdyYouKnoNEway/Bugs/P1010030.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/NobdyYouKnoNEway/Bugs/P1010025.jpg

If you can, email or IM what you think it is to me.
Email: leogeckogirl [AT] gmail.com
AIM: Reha Chan

Comment by Reha — August 17, 2006 [AT] 2:33 am

I live in Connecticut and came across a dead cicada last week. Not knowing what it was I took some pictures and posted them in my blog. Falanya from Anchorage clued me in as to what it was. Now I just don’t know what type of cicada it is — just curious.

Check out the photots at http://theczarspage.blogspot.com/

BTW, Very nice web site!

Gerry

Comment by Gerry michaud — August 14, 2006 [AT] 4:21 pm

2 cicadas spotted in Columbus, GA. First one spotted on August 1st, the second sighting was August 14 this morning.

Comment by johnny lumpkin — August 14, 2006 [AT] 1:17 pm

I have spotted a Cicada twice in the last week at my front door. It’s apparently attracted to the yellow bug light I purchased to deter all insects. When I first saw it I was shocked at how big they are! I didn’t know what it was at first until I started researching them this morning. I saw it for the first time last week, but saw it again this morning as I was leaving for work. It was right on my wall under my porch light. It makes such a loud sound! it looks just like the apache cicada that you have pictured on the home page. I thought that their were no species due to surface in 2006?

Comment by johnny lumpkin — August 14, 2006 [AT] 1:13 pm

Cicadas starting emerging around my yard about June 20th this year. I have seen more than a dozen nymph exoskeletons all over the yard: on the foundation of my house, on the fence, under daylily, squash and bergamot leaves, and even two on the tire of my car. I got photos of two adults and I think they are genus Tibicen. Now yesterday and today, the noise has been intense up in the trees!

Comment by Jenn — July 29, 2006 [AT] 7:27 pm

Two cicadas sighted in Toronto.

Comment by SSK — July 27, 2006 [AT] 3:12 pm

Greetings,

After an absence of over 50 years, the Giant Cicada (Quesada gigas) is back (with a vengeance) across Central Texas from San Antonio to Austin…

_______________________________
Giant Cicada / Chicharra Grande
http://texasento.net/Cicada.htm

Comment by Mike Quinn — July 21, 2006 [AT] 1:23 pm

I just wanted to report that I finally heard my first Tibicen of
the season late this afternoon.
It was a T.chloromera. I have yet to
find any live nymphs or exuviae though. I will update once I find any.

Roy

Comment by Roy Troutman — July 1, 2006 [AT] 9:13 pm

Speaking of Disney, I work at Disneyland, and our cicadas have just made a very loud apperance. Does anyone know what type they are? The last few days have been the warmest in quite a while…around 80. Thank you!

Comment by Elizabeth Madsen — April 20, 2006 [AT] 1:43 am

2006 General Cicada Questions

Filed under: Old Message Board — Dan @ 1:01 am

These questions come from the old General Cicada Questions message board. The questions and answers are in reverse order. URLs found in comments are old and likely do not work.

Hi all Cicada Lovers, I myself love all insects. I have always been interested in insects. I have a website with insect links and photos. Enjoy

Comment by Bill D. — November 17, 2006 [AT] 9:18 am

I live in the Western subs of IL. I have an above ground pool. Will these little guys be a burden? When exactly do they come out and for how long? ew

Comment by Joyce — November 13, 2006 [AT] 8:56 pm

What are the different types of cicades??

Comment by hawill — November 11, 2006 [AT] 9:17 pm

I found this site when searching for cicadas.

There music kind of sounds like cicadas buzzing, at time.

Comment by Amazed — November 1, 2006 [AT] 7:18 am

I want to know what sounds a cicada makes. And do they make sounds 24 hours a day? How long will they make the sounds? I live in Georgia and I keep hearing the high pitch sounds.

Comment by Larry Gunnels — October 26, 2006 [AT] 8:06 pm

I’m posting again to publish my messenger ok…
brunomontanhez [AT] hotmail.com

Comment by Montanhez — October 12, 2006 [AT] 10:23 pm

im a biology student that was seeking for Quesada gigas pictures and then found this place! it’s looks really nice…congratulations
and….there’s any brasilian on this forum?

Comment by Montanhez — October 12, 2006 [AT] 10:21 pm

With these things it’s really the luck of the draw — they might be a no show, or they could make things miserable. It might pay to ask the owners of the property what happened 17 years earlier.

Comment by Dan — October 3, 2006 [AT] 7:57 pm

The wedding ceremony only will be in Willowbrook, IL, southwest of Chicago about 25 miles in our backyard which has trees and shrubs (but house and yard about 6 years old) and surrounded by property that has lots of trees and undisturbed (undeveloped) land. Based on reading the Wedding Planner which I found after posting my question, sounds like you need a sense of humor if you don’t reschedule. Seems it would be very distracting and take away the focus from the ceremony.

Comment by Yola — October 2, 2006 [AT] 2:28 pm

Depends on where the wedding is going to be.

Comment by Dan — October 1, 2006 [AT] 9:39 am

My daughter has planned an outdoor wedding in our backyear for 6/16/07. I think we should reschedule. Any comments?

Comment by Yola — October 1, 2006 [AT] 6:25 am

Chicago’s breed is due in June 2007. They will emerge around June 9 and will last about four weeks.

You can set your clock to that.

Comment by John — September 14, 2006 [AT] 2:19 am

Hi Anjum- your email address does not seem to be correct. Please correct for contact or email to >
David.

Comment by david — September 12, 2006 [AT] 3:03 am

for reserch purpes if need cicada i can provide you onlowest rates from Pakistan about 16 veraities are avail able contect rehmany2k64 at yahoo

Comment by Anjum — September 10, 2006 [AT] 5:28 am

Which month and approximately which week will the brood xiii cicada’s hatch their final molt in Chicago, Illinois?

Comment by Dario — September 4, 2006 [AT] 8:25 am

i didnt know what what outside but it was huge and then we caught it with its prey and there both still alive the the cicada is paralized, my daughter wants to bring it to school to show her science teacher and my question is how can i keep them alive and when with the cicada become un paralized?
thank you
angie
lake charles,louisiana

Comment by angie — September 2, 2006 [AT] 2:47 pm

We were having breakfast this morning on our screen porch and a large, strange bug was sitting on the outside of the screen. I suspected a cicada and a quick web search led me to this site. Sure enough, it’s a magicicada!

The kids and I enjoyed learning about cicada habits, although we’re curious about this particular cicada because it’s so late in the summer and we aren’t due for our cicada cycle until next year (we’re in Hartford, WI). We’ve decided that this one must be a scout.

Comment by The Ohm Family — August 26, 2006 [AT] 8:38 am

I wonder, if I can find frequency distribution of cicada songs.
Thanks for any hints.

Comment by Serge — August 24, 2006 [AT] 8:30 am

I am an insect collector and recently obtained two male cicadas of the same species in Las Vegas. Based on my extensive travels throughout southern Nevada and the Las Vegas area, it literally sounds as if there is only one local cicada species in the area-I only hear one that sounds like a constant buzz saw and no other “songs” of distinctive species. Can anyone out there list the prevalent cicada-genus and species-of the Las Vegas area?

Comment by Jeff Clark — August 23, 2006 [AT] 5:19 pm

I absolutely love the sound of cicadas. I still do, though I’m watching a very creepy “Higurashi no Naku Koro ni” (When the Cicadas Cry). It’s a Japanese horror anime with a deceptively cutesy art style, and cicadas are prominant in the closing credits. The distinctive sounds appear in the soundtrack and now we get a delicious little shiver when evening falls and the cicadas begin their symphony.

But they *are* summer nights (and days) to me!

Comment by Laura — August 23, 2006 [AT] 10:40 am

okay so I KNOW these insects are called cicadas, and I love them dearly — my mother tells me she could hear them singing when I was born (july 25), so for me, hearing them is something akin to the primal scream….

But WHY did we call them “locusts” in Cleveland where I grew up? I don’t think I learned to call them cicadas until I moved to NJ in 10970.

second question: my own personal rule of thumb, based on observation, is that cicadas don’t “sing” unless the temperature outside is 70 F or above — is that true?

Kathy Harsany
cicada (and katydid) fan
Greenwich, CT

Comment by kathy harsany — August 22, 2006 [AT] 12:50 pm

Hi there
i have a diana maple it one year old,two weeks ago the leaves were brown and wilted they were flexable now their crispy and falling.I was told that there could be a fungus.Could there be a fungus,the tree is kept watered.

Comment by Joan Bowers — August 19, 2006 [AT] 9:05 pm

I live in Indianapolis, IN. Why do we have so many cicadas this year? I don’t remember the cicadas being this loud except for a couple of years ago.

Comment by William H — August 19, 2006 [AT] 5:40 pm

I’m so happy to find a site dedicated to this creature! Living in New York City, the cicada has become the sound of summer (along with ice cream truck bells and the drone of air-conditioners.) However, this summer, I’m sad to say, the sound has been absent. Is this part of the 17-year cycle? I can’t remember a summer without the sound of the cicadas each morning and evening. On the hottest days they could even be heard during midday. I’ve lived in NYC 39 years and I’m hoping that no environmental factors have led to their elimination from this area. Please advise.

Comment by Joseph Scrivani — August 9, 2006 [AT] 6:49 am

How do you say this insects name.

Comment by Judy — August 9, 2006 [AT] 1:50 am

We live in upstate New York, just east of Albany. On returning from a seaside vacation the end of July, we noticed a very loud insect sound at dusk, continuing through the wee hours. We have not heard this before, and it is keeping us up all night. My husband thought it might be locusts, so I searched the web and now we think we have them. He said he found a dead one in our yard. Can anyone tell us how long to expect this racket? It is very disruptive. We are new to this.

Comment by Cassandra — July 31, 2006 [AT] 4:33 pm

I need to get a Cicada for Biology and I have no idea where to look. Where might I find one? And when should I look for one?

Comment by Elizabeth — July 18, 2006 [AT] 12:02 am

I found a cicada grub in it’s last instar (I think), where it’s emerged from hte ground as a bronze kind of pupae on legs. It was lost groping around aimlessly on the pavement in the baking sun.
I thought it should be moved into the foliage where it could take to a leaf….so I did just that, but I noticed it had white eyes unlike any others I’d seen (usually having brown or black eyes.
It also seemed very weak. Is it unusual for cicadas in this stage of development, to have white eyes? If so why?

Comment by dan — July 10, 2006 [AT] 12:10 am

Does anyone have any tips for preserving cicadas? I find our local Tibicens rather attractive and would like to “shellac” one. (An already dead one; I’d never kill one! It’s not at all hard to find corpses once summer gets into full swing here in VA.) Do you think I could just use clear-coat enamel, or would that damage the wings?

Comment by Khate — July 2, 2006 [AT] 9:08 am

My girlfriend is from England, and had never had any experience with cicadas, she calls them “screaming bugs”. We are here in missouri, and I never knew that there was a 17 year cycle. Thanks for the site, and info.

Comment by Josh — July 1, 2006 [AT] 7:44 pm

Hi Connor,

There are many different types of Cicadas in the United States. At least 150 different species. Other names that can also mean “cicada” that people say are as follows:

Locust
Dog Day Cicada
Harvest fly
Heat Bug

And even some species of cicadas can have their own nick-names. For instance:

Tibicen chloromera — “The Swamp Cicada”
Tibicen auletes — “The Scissor Grinder”
Tibicen lyricen — “The lyric Cicada”
Magicicada — “17 year locusts”

Hope that helps.
Gerry Bunker
Massachusetts Cicadas
http://www.mechaworx.com/cicada/masscic1.asp

Comment by Gerry — June 29, 2006 [AT] 9:05 pm

I have been asked by my teacher at school to find out another name for cicada. What are cicadas also known as?

Comment by Connor James — June 21, 2006 [AT] 10:40 pm

Hi Dan, Looks as though some useless spam did get through with mesage 66!! To Debbie (67), cicadas do not bite, they suck sap through a “rostrum” (straw) like mozzies. They are quite magnificently constructed and coloured with each species having a distinct song- not too ugly once you get to know them!! Just watch one emerging and you’ll be hooked!

Comment by david — May 30, 2006 [AT] 7:05 pm

do these UGLY creatures bite and if so what needs to be done for treatment. I am in texas

Comment by Debbie — May 28, 2006 [AT] 5:59 pm

Does anyone have information regarding where in Pennsylvania Brood XIV of Magicicada has emerged in the past? I know they’re due back in 2008 and I’d really like to see them. Please email me at BigEdK7 [AT] aol.com if you have any information.
Thank you,
Ed

Comment by Ed — May 22, 2006 [AT] 11:39 am

In school we are studing about the rain forest and Im serching for people to help the rain forest from being burnt and cut down. I know this coment probebly dosen’t mean any thing to you, but it means the world to me. One forth of our rain forest are gone, and they say all the medicans in the world are in the rain forset so we are destorying medicans that we need. Now I bet you don’t care, but seens you like insects I decided to write this letter to you. Thank you for reading it.

Comment by Emily — May 15, 2006 [AT] 2:24 am

Starting a new site, dedicated to the cause. Here in the Chicago area we will be seeing our little friends next June, 2007 and will be putting up images and videos. Until then, the website
http://www.seventeenyearcicada.com
will be up and running.

John

Comment by John — May 12, 2006 [AT] 11:48 pm

Cicadas seem to be pretty rare here in Nova Scotia. I’m looking for a source of cicada “remains” which are intact and in good condition. I am hoping to find 10-20 at least. This is for an arts project.
Only Cicadas who have “ceased to bee” please!

Kevin

Comment by Kevin — April 19, 2006 [AT] 3:47 am

I would have to say they were disturbed under the the trash box. I would think it would be very very unusual to see them this early. you are right, you probibly would not see any until at least late june-july

Comment by Matt — April 14, 2006 [AT] 3:10 pm

I live in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, and we are just barely breaking into spring (snow last weekend, this week 20 degrees C in the day, nights around 0). No leaves on trees yet, and grass just barely poking out of the ground.

Today we found about 3 or 4 adult cicadas scattered in the parking lot — most of them squished, but one still feebly moving its legs. I’m assuming they are adults: about 1 1/2 inches long, a dark drab brown, almost looking a bit moldy. There was signs of a large trash box moved in the area, so perhaps they were under it, and were disturbed.

We usually only get cicadas in the hot part of July & August… any ideas what might be going on here?

thanks for helping with the mystery.

jeannine

Comment by jeannine — April 12, 2006 [AT] 8:25 am

What is it about the cicada’s that places them in the classification?

Comment by Chrissy — April 3, 2006 [AT] 12:39 pm

You must be suffering the Amphipsalta zealandica chorus in Feb. someone from Auckland complained on this site last year about thier niose. On hot nights, cicadas can sing at intervals during the night, which drives you crazy. The Aussie greengrocers will sing at about 4hour intervals (dusk, 10pm, 2am and 6am) just in case you want to listen. By the way, many cicadas are attracted to UV lights, especially on warm humid nights.

Comment by david — March 7, 2006 [AT] 2:30 am

btw Im in NZ and that would be understood not understoof sorry!! Im used to cicadas but not this many and they have never done this before, I cant find much info on this kinda thing, there are hundreds of them and driving me crazy at times like 3am :/

Comment by salacity — February 21, 2006 [AT] 4:56 am

Okay so I understoof that cicadas were not attracted to light? however tonight the first night of the couple of weeks they have been around this year they started attacking the windows and they were all over my deck its midnight here and I dont understand whats going on Ive never seen anything like it before, is this normal?

Comment by salacity — February 21, 2006 [AT] 4:54 am

Hi Marty,
The “green grocer” in Australia sings when the temp reaches around 18C, but many small species will not sing unless the sun is shining (no matter what the ambient temp).
David.

Comment by david — February 16, 2006 [AT] 10:43 pm

Does a Cicada start chirping at a certain air temperature? if so what is it?

Comment by Marty — February 12, 2006 [AT] 4:55 pm

August 27, 2006

Archive of Magicicada Discussions 2005-2006

Filed under: Magicicada | Old Message Board | Periodical — Dan @ 1:29 pm

Comment by Brandi — August 27, 2006 [AT] 7:02 pm

I am from Sharon, Pennsylvania. My cat has brought 2 Magicicadas in my house . We have been hearing them sing the last few days . They were big and black with clear wings .

Comment by Sherry Vanditta — August 14, 2006 [AT] 3:31 pm

I live in Sacramento, California. In the past two weeks my cat has been bringing in cicadas. There have been about 10 of them so far. I’ve had three “delivered” in the last two days. I’ve done a little research on the web and this doesn’t appear to be the norm. I don’t see any outside, but pretty sure I hear them up in my huge tree. None of my neighbors hve this problem either.

Isn’t this unusual? They look like they are Magicicada cassini or Magicicada septendecula. Any enlightenment will be appreciated.

Comment by Bea Maurer — July 24, 2006 [AT] 10:22 pm

Our location is 38.2 N, 86.2 degrees W. This is a little neighborhood off of Blanton Lane and Dixie Hwy in Louisville, KY. This morning I was cleaning my pool and I heard a splash in it. This poor creature had landed in it. Not sure what it was, I got it out and came in to check on the web. From what I found on cicadamania.com,it must be a straggler. My cam is not working so no picture can be taken. I will try to get a pic before I let it go if anyone is interested. I hear them occasionally at night, but first time I’ve actually seen one since I was a child. My grandson has found shells over the past 2 yrs, but we never found one till now. Just thought I’d let ya know for those who are interested.

Comment by Donna Denson — July 8, 2006 [AT] 7:32 am

June 17, 2006
Our dog found a Okanagana rimosa cicada in our backyard. This was in Edmonton Alberta Canada off the revine in the Capilano area. Very cool never seen anything like it. A black star with an orange circle just behind its head on a plate of some sort. It has since been taken to the University 0f Alberta; Strickland Entomological Museum.

Comment by M. Valgardson — June 22, 2006 [AT] 10:57 am

Some very late notes on brood xxiii in central Mississippi, May, 2002.
In the Jackson, MS area tridecassini was probably the most numerous species, with tridecim next, and tridecula a very distant third. M. tridecassini is the one that makes a ticking sound followed by a buzz like a weedeater revving up. There were so many that the sound was really deafening, and the intensity would rise and fall, like waves crashing on a beach. I think that each species aggregated with its own kind, but I have no proof. The much quieter tridecim—the one with the “pharaoh” song was in smaller groups. I noticed that very early in the morning, before the sun came up, the tridecims were singing, but none of the others. I also noticed that when I was going home on my bicycle after dark, my bicycle light elicited buzzes and partial songs from a few of the cicadas as I went by. The rather scarce tridecula were in small groups, and they tended to be where the trees were not tall—basically in fields where the trees were just moving in.
In 2003, 2004, and 2005, each May, I heard a few tridecassini stragglers singing. Before the big spring 2002 brood, I heard one tridecassini that jumped the gun in October, 2001!

Comment by Paul Krombholz — September 20, 2005 [AT] 9:34 pm

August 23, 2005

Went out on my deck this morning to enjoy a cup of coffee. When I went to sit down I had a visitor resting on my chair. It’s the first Cicada I’ve seen up close since the 80s. I’ve heard them humming in the trees all summer. They’re loud and they’re here in Rocky Hill, CT.

Comment by Marilyn — August 23, 2005 [AT] 6:30 am

I am in Rockville, MD and we had a HUGE emergence last year — HUGE. I didn’t realize that there would be any this year but I have been hearing the buzzing sound for a little over a week and wasn’t sure what it was. Well, when 2 were swarming around me last evening, I then realized it. I found 3 dead ones on the ground today while gardening and as I type this, every once in awhile, there is a “knock” on the window from one when they run into the glass. Nothing like last year but there are definately some in this area!

Comment by Susan — August 22, 2005 [AT] 10:38 pm

A friend of mine also has them in Mansura, La.
I had taken pics, but I think I deleted them, will try again

Comment by iluvmykhalil — August 15, 2005 [AT] 4:13 pm

8/15/05—-There are alot in Princeton, Illinois.
I have seen one on my porch about every other day. There dead skin or what ever you call it, well let’s just say in my front yard I found at least 20 of them, it feels like we are infested with them, ok maybe I am over exaggerating. I don’t like them, they are big, ugly and scare me!

Comment by iluvmykhalil — August 15, 2005 [AT] 4:10 pm

I saw 2 Magicicadas in Camden, NJ in 2 days. On August 12th, I saw a dead one laying on the walkway in front of Cooper Hospital. Then on August 14th I saw one on the screen of my front door in Cramer Hill, NJ. When I opened the door it tried to fly away but banged into the post and into the grass. Very big insect!! I have alot of trees in my yard and live close to a wooded area so if I see one on one of my trees, I will try to take a picture. It’s hard though since I am afraid of insects. Also,on my way to Wildwood, NJ I heard them singing the entire way through the Atlantic City Expressway on August 13th as well.

Comment by M Casiano — August 14, 2005 [AT] 9:15 am

The Cicadas are here un the Upstate of South Carolina. I live in a little town southwest of Greenville SC called Honea Path. We have Oak and Chesnut Trees and the are singing wonderfully all day like I used to hear them in Southern France.
Now here I need an expert for answers? I heard the same noise last year. Not quite as prominent then this year but still I could hear them well every day.
This year I have been looking around and found some dead Magicicadas.
I am a little lost about this 17 year cicle. How could I have heard some last year and this year.
Are they other types of cicadas that live every year and make a similar noise?
Also as I go about enjoying these wonderful creatures of nature I hear being closer some high pitch singing less loud and frequent?
I would be thankful if anybody can give me more information. Suggestions of site with information and an excellent book about cicadas.
I feel in heaven, romantic and this wonderful noise while reading a book under a tree is an awesome feeling.
Edmond Schafeitel
Honea Path SC

Comment by Edmond Schafeitel — August 14, 2005 [AT] 8:38 am

The Cicadas are here in Charlotte, NC in droves. I am on the southwest side of Charlote, near the SC border. The oak trees are ringing loudly. Now the starlings are showing up in flocks for the buffet. I have never been glad to see starlings until now. I didn’t see any Cicadas in my neighborhood last year, and if they were here, there weren’t very many of them. This is the third time I have witnessed them during my lifetime.

Comment by Dr.Volts — August 14, 2005 [AT] 6:16 am

I saw one two days ago, and I squished them in between my toes, ohh how I love the feeling. Anyone know when more are comming in, I did this two times so far, there blue eyes, turn red when you moosh them!

[Moderator: don’t moosh cicadas.]

Comment by Ceerie — August 13, 2005 [AT] 8:09 pm

Seattle WA, Aug 8, 2005, 2 pm 80 degrees.
I had to have my wife tell me what the hell that noise was. I have never seen or heard anything like this before, though i only moved to Seattle in 1988.
I grew up in eastern Montana, and have never heard them.

Wierd!!!

Comment by lloyd — August 7, 2005 [AT] 8:35 am

Cicadas are buzzing heavily in Narberth, Pa. Actually spotted a live one on a chair in my yard. Found several shells in a tree and on the ground. Thought they only emerged every 17 yrs? Although their sound is soothing to myself, my young child is terrified of their noise. How long should we expect them to be around? Thanks!!

Comment by Heather G. — August 6, 2005 [AT] 4:22 pm

I know nothing about cicadas but they are in my yard. I live in Waukesha WI and they have been here for a couple of weeks, yet a friend who lives 1/4 mile away does not hear them in his yard. We only hear them at night as soon as the sun goes down they start singing and are quite loud. Tonight they are not as loud and it doesn’t sound as if there are as many as there have been in the last few weeks. Are these what you call stragglers? I found 1 shell in our driveway but did not realize what it was until I started ready about them on you website

Comment by gundi davis — August 5, 2005 [AT] 7:40 pm

Location: Boone, NC, right on the TN/NC/VA border. Last year I eagerly awaited Brood X, but was terribly dissapointed. I might have heard 2 at my home, at the most. While rafting on the Nolichucky River in TN (2004), they were deafening! This year, my home is surrounded by them. We have been having some unusually hot weather breaking a long standing record by hitting 90deg last week, maybe that’s why they are so active. I have been stalking the woods with my camera trying to get a pic, but they are everywhere except for where I am! Camera shy little suckers….

Comment by Shannon K — August 1, 2005 [AT] 9:36 am

I live in Freeport, NY (Long Island) I have about 10 shells in front of my home with a new one on my front door everyday. I also see the holes in the dirt. Don’t expect me to take pictures I am deathly affraid of insects of all kind. The noise is annoying..

Comment by Tiarra T. — July 28, 2005 [AT] 10:38 am

I’ve been hearing the very distinctive sound for several weeks now in nothern Virginia. Thought sure it was cicadas. I believe we have them in large numbers. Last night, the cat brought one in the house. We were able to get it out, but there is no mistaking that it was a cicada.

Comment by Dawn W — July 23, 2005 [AT] 7:28 am

A brood has emerged in Central Texas, the top of the bug looks like the face of a grasshopper, smiling. I guessed it was a cicada, heard about it, never saw it. Recently we have been seeing bizarre looking bug shells around the home, now I know what it was. Our kid spotted it clinging from it’s recently hatched shell on our screen. They sure are not scared, didn’t fly away and moved pretty slowly when nudged. No wonder they are hard to see. Ours was a light green with transparent wings that were brown tiped, so it blends in WELL witht the tree. The nymph phase seems to be universal looking ashy brown/tan. We are in Copperas Cove, TX, north of Austin.

Comment by James G — July 22, 2005 [AT] 8:43 am

I LIVE IN ENOREE, SC, IT’S JULY 20TH. I WAS SITTING OUTSIDE AROUND 11:30 PM AND SAW WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A GREEN BUG ATTACKING ANOTHER BROWN BUG. LOOKED CLOSER AND WAS AMAZED!!! IT WAS A CICADA EMERGING!!! I SAT AND WATCHED FOR WHAT SEEMED AN ETERNITY. ABOUT 30 TO 40 MINUTES LATER A BEAUTIFUL, LONG WINGED CREATURE APPEARED. I’VE NEVER FELT CLOSER TO NATURE. I’M GOING TO CHECK AND SEE IF IT HAS FLOWN AWAY YET…NOPE…IT’S STILL JUST SITTING THERE ON IT’S OLD SHELL. I MUST GO TO SLEEP NOW.

Comment by Shay C — July 20, 2005 [AT] 9:06 pm

Yeah, yeah. I know I’m late with this.

I’m a PGRC member, and on a Saturday Morining run in late May (the 28th, I believe) I’m certain I heard a lone, Brood-X cicada somewhere in the middle of Greenbelt Park (Greenbelt, MD).

Comment by Tim Holtz — July 18, 2005 [AT] 7:05 pm

Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Wow, we’ve never seen these before but in the last 24 hours we’ve found two of these guy’s (or gals) perched up on the brick wall directly outside the front door. The first one had a very long abdomin, even longer wings, and generally light brown all over.
Today’s find looks much more like the photos we have seen. It has a very large/wide green/brown head, green collar, green and mostly light brown wings, and brown body with a dark stripe going almost the entire lenth of the underside.
What a racket they make! Very interesting.

Comment by James Fyvie — July 14, 2005 [AT] 11:31 am

I live in Perth County (Ontario Canada) and have just heard quite a few in the tree outside my window. It is somewhat soothing to know that they are here again.

Comment by Cathy — July 12, 2005 [AT] 6:35 pm

I heard them a few days ago (just one or two), then silence due to rain and cooler weather here in Bayside, Queens. This mornining was warm and sunny and heard the same one or two once more. Pretty early for these parts I think. I usually do not hear them until mid august. I hope that does not mean they will be plentiful cause I hate them!!

Comment by Mindy — July 10, 2005 [AT] 1:06 pm

Today, while out walking my dogs, I heard the definite music of cicadas. I couldn’t tell you what kind they were as they all sound alike to me.

I’m in northwest Nassau county (Long Island). Has anyone else heard them around here?

Comment by Marilyn — July 9, 2005 [AT] 12:20 pm

It saddens me with the extinction of brood XI. I bet if you looked on old trees you my be able to see the scars from a cicada brood that no longer exists. Perhaps we could have done some sound mapping to see if there where any existing chorusing areas left. Who knows, maybe there is small pockets left.

Comment by Matt — June 29, 2005 [AT] 3:53 pm

I live in Jacksonville, Florida and we are cursed with Cicadas. In Jacksonville they don’t come out every 17 years, 7 years, or 3 years. They show up every year! Their “song” sounds like a high voltage power line. I am not aware of any studies but my guess is Cicadas are a major cause of depression and anxiety. I hate them.

Comment by Randy Ross — June 25, 2005 [AT] 7:01 am

Found a mature female Brood X straggler yesterday (15 June 2005) in Falls Church, VA. We had huge numbers last year, especially on the 50-yr-old maple tree in our yard, but I didn’t realize there would be 1-year stragglers. Haven’t heard any singing in the neighborhood so far.

C

omment by Pete Jennings — June 16, 2005 [AT] 1:57 pm

They are back this year (2005) in Forest Park Ohio! YUCK!! Thankfully not in the same numbers as last year. I estimate I’ve seen about 50 shells in the yard. Thank goodness I haven’t seen any of them flying around. I can hear them in the trees. Last year, I would barely leave the house and when I did, I did it in the evening. Hopefully I will be in a cicada free town before they come out again.

Comment by Linda — June 15, 2005 [AT] 5:09 pm

The search for Brood XI is on. The “lost” brood was located in CT, MA and RI but hasn’t been seen in over 50 years. Unlike the massive Brood X which we all heard about last year, this was a small and vulnerable brood. John Cooley from UConn and I would like to enlist the help of anyone in these three states. Sorry Midwesterners, but any periodical cicadas you see are probably stragglers from Brood X. Especially if you had them in large amounts from the previous year. To fully understand our problem, you have to read the original location descriptions from 50 years ago. Basically, all that is written is a county reference such as “Hartford County.” Street locations, landmarks or any other points of reference just aren’t listed too often or may even have changed. It will be different for the next generation thanks to the GPS, but for now we have some legwork (and cyberwork) to do. Obviously, the best case scenario would be to have a live specimen. But lacking this, we ask if you could please ask your older relatives or friends if they remember anything detailed. Someone might have a journal page or photograph that could really help us hone in on a specific location. Even a memory, as long as it can provide times and locations, would be helpful. It’s already happened to us once, as a farmer was able to direct us to a previous location. (Sadly, there was a construction crew literally starting to build a house on it, but John and I think the cicadas were long gone.)
Counties that had records are Hartford in Connecticut. Bristol, Franklin, and Hampshire in Massachusetts. Providence (near Tiogue Reservoir) in Rhode Island. Brood XI’s expected cycle in the last century was 1988, 1971, 1954, 1937, 1920 and 1903. “No cicada” sightings or “negative records” are helpful from these areas as well. So if you are planning a hike in any of these locations in the next month and don’t see anything, shoot me an email. It may help us to cut down on places we need to search. Thanks for your help.

Mike Neckermann
castle10 [AT] charter.net

Comment by Mike Neckermann — June 10, 2005 [AT] 1:26 am

oh and i just wanted to say that i am in pierre part louisiana wwayyyyy down south about 30 min. southwest of new orleans it was a brite lime green color so fresh very very flimbzy!!!!!!!!!1

Comment by cody leonard — June 7, 2005 [AT] 9:40 pm

i w

i watched one crawl out of its shell tonite june 5 2005 at11.05 at nite
the wings were flopy and soft it climbed up my rocker i was sitting in so i put it on the brick wall and put an aqurium over it took some pics to

Comment by cody leonard — June 7, 2005 [AT] 9:35 pm

At Green Lane Park PA I went to the most popular Magicicada tree from last year. Saw maybe 20 or 30 shells on the ground. I wondered if they were left over from last year’s hatching but my daughter didn’t think shells would last a whole year. So we concluded that these must be Stragglers! I didn’t see any live cicadas though. However, a bit later I began hearing the call of one single Cassini among the trees!

Laura

Comment by Laura Woodswalker — June 5, 2005 [AT] 6:28 pm

I can hear 1 or 2 magicicada cassini singing in my back yard.

Comment by Matt — June 5, 2005 [AT] 7:52 am

Caught another magicicada on the same tree. Thats 3 on one tree. In Loveland Ohio.

Comment by Matt — June 4, 2005 [AT] 4:03 am

found 2 magicicada shells on a tree in Loveland, Ohio.

Comment by Matt — May 30, 2005 [AT] 7:14 pm

Stragglers in Pohatcong Twsp. (Warren County, NJ)! Heard them (decim) today and I was so excited although I would flip if we could actually see them here. Last year I heard a few but only saw large populations a bit South of here in Holland Twsp. Think I will ride down there tomorrow and see if I find any of our little friends buzzing around.

Comment by LPK — May 29, 2005 [AT] 7:21 pm

Great: take a photo and send email it to the site — if you can get a picture of a cicada next to a newspaper (for dating purposes) that would be awesome.

Comment by Administrator — May 29, 2005 [AT] 10:03 am

Hey, I know this sounds unusual but i found 11 magicicada shells on a tree in my grandmas yard in terrace park ohio

Comment by Mat — May 28, 2005 [AT] 11:11 am

Awesome. I’ll let you know (and everyone else) if I hear about anything in Princeton.

Comment by Administrator — May 11, 2005 [AT] 7:32 am

I have a friend in Silver Springs MD which had a fantastic emergence last year. He will be checking for any stragglers this week as warm weather is expected shortly. I may go to Princeton NJ in a couple of weeks myself.

Comment by AJay — May 8, 2005 [AT] 10:18 am

re: why they sing in summer

Date: Wednesday, Apr/27/2005

> If so, does >it mean that they mate only in >Summer? So what do they do in >Winter? — Som, Thailand Som, let’s just say they spend a lot of time “getting in shape” for mating season. — bissel spilkes, town, state

Largest Cicada?

Date: Tuesday, Apr/26/2005

Wow! This message board has been dead for awhile! I would like to know what the largest type cicada in America is. Here in Virginia, We have several species, some of which I don’t know the names of. First ones I hear each summer are the standard T. Pruinosa, always in old-tree neighborhoods. Next to be heard are my favorites, T Lyricen. Near the beginning of the season they are heard near dusk, but as the summer progresses, they’re heard all day. They have the sweetest, mellowist song: It starts like any other tibicen song, a rising buzz, then suddenly it changes to a soft whirring, like a rotating electric motor. A single specimen’s drums often go slightly ‘out-of-sync’, and you hear a harmonic beating in the whirring sound. Next to appear is the ‘morning cicada’, T. Chloromera <-spelled wrong! These are strange looking: VERY flat, wide heads, the most 'classic-looking' Tibicen type, powdered entiry bright white underneath, and with long, bend-down opercula. We also have the 'watch-winder', which looks outwardly like T pruinosa, but has uprasied ridges on the abdomen that meet and seal with the opercula, the chamber. Their song sounds like someone winding a clock. Later in the summer, appears (never very common) T Auletes, which I thought was the biggest. Their song has a hollow, sound, like a chorus of frogs, a long steady whistling drone, with a regular beating 'tocking' sound. These appear around here in old-tree areas, and often sing well after the sun has gone down. Latest cicada in the season, is a very small one, definately a Tibicen, has a very shrill scream that lasts for only 5 or 6 seconds. I've seen these in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where they're more common, but they also appear here in the DC area. Other unknown one that I've caught, have a song like a cross between T. Pruinosa, and T. Lyricens, and these are a bit smaller, similar color like Pruinosa, but have a black stripe down the powdered white underside of the abdomen, and black opercula. What American Cicada is the largest though? Fred -- Fred Berry, Virginia

why they sing in summer

Date: Tuesday, Apr/19/2005

Hi there. I’m fron Thailand and I wonder is it true that cicadas love to “sing” in Summer? If so, does it mean that they mate only in Summer? So what do they do in Winter? — Som, Thailand

Web de entomologia

Date: Tuesday, Mar/15/2005

web de entomologia ——entomology web in spanish http://jlmcsonora.tripod.com — Juan, Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, M�xico

More Japanese Cicadas!

Date: Wednesday, Feb/23/2005

These are my favorites! I spent many years studying and collecting them. From tiny ones less than an inch long, to those that are among the largest (and loudest) in the world (listen to a Kuma Semi, their unearthly song travels for miles and stands right out from among the millions of other cicadas singing all around you. In full swing its call sounds like an ominous, inhuman voice, very clearly saying the word ‘HISS’ quickly, over and over again! To this day, no other cicada song impresses me as much! This type and its close and equally huge/loud relative the Yama Semi have tremendous drumheads and exotically shaped opercula. From above they look like giant versions of our dogday cicadas, with very wide heads, but their bodies are polished shiney black with powdered white line behind the drumheads, and covered with sparse golden hairs/dust that easily rubs off. In flight, they are very fast and agile, looking all the world like small birds! Love my semi!! — Fred, Virginia

Howdy

Date: Wednesday, Feb/16/2005

Howdy Dan and all the rest of the cicada watchers! 8>- x — cicada x, In

Leonardo Milhomem – Brasilia, Brazil Cicada Photos

Date: Monday, Feb/14/2005

Quesada Gigas can also be found in the United States. It sings at dusk and has a very interesting sound I would descibe as a tea kettle or a long high pitched whine. The location and time I have personally heard them is mid July at the San Antonio Texas KOA. — Mike, Columbia CT

December 31, 2005

2005 Archive of Annual Cicada Signtings

Filed under: Annual | Old Message Board — Dan @ 1:01 am

Cicadas are emerging “down under” in Australia. Small species have been appearing for around a month, but the first emergence of the large “Green grocers” (Cyclochila australasiae) occurred around Sydney on October 14.

Comment by David Emery — October 23, 2005 [AT] 5:02 am

To Wes Phillips (Aug 21). Have been trying to contact you from Australia on your old email address(2003) about cicadas, but messages bounce back. Have you changed it, please?

Comment by david — August 30, 2005 [AT] 3:25 pm

Well make that two Tibicens now in Franconia, Virginia. Found one in my cellar well. Can’t wait until the next “17 year” cicada brood appears in our area.

Comment by Scott Dwinelle — August 29, 2005 [AT] 6:27 pm

I live in Los Angeles California. I am not sure what I saw but it looked like the cicada insect. I saw two yesterday. They caught my eye because I have never seen any insect like this in LA. It looked very similar to the cicada pictures posted in this web site; the differences are these were forest green and the body was slightly thinner. Has anyone reported seeing any in California? Next one I see I will take a picture. I do know we have had record rain fall for this year and there are a lot more spiders because of it.

Comment by Rick Rivera — August 27, 2005 [AT] 9:27 am

Saw my first Tibicen of the season the other day here in Franconia, Virginia. We really don’t see these to often. Usually one or two a year. Now Magicicada we get by the thousands!

Comment by Scott Dwinelle — August 23, 2005 [AT] 2:20 pm

i’ve a photo of a huge cicada…..cant’ find any other to compair to….ugh………can u help?

Comment by Carla — August 23, 2005 [AT] 8:32 am

I have never seen as many Cicada’s as we have had this year. Last year the buzz (pardon the pun!) was all about the Brood X, This year by far has been ALOT Worse. I am finding 10-20 shells of the molted Cicada’s every couple weeks. I have had at least 3 “Waves” of Molted and now singing Cicada’s. The Holes are starting to become Very apparent of yet another hatching and evolving. A couple weeks ago the noise was almost maddening. Just unbelieveable.

Comment by Pati — August 23, 2005 [AT] 7:42 am

This has been a great summer for cicadas in the Texas Panhandle area. My granddaughter Ashley and I made a trip down near Lubbock and found some of the smallest cicadas in this country. We found not only Pacarina puella, but also Beameria venosa. Beameria venosa is the smaller of these and to my surprise was a two-tone green color. We also collected numerous Cicadetta kansa near Fritch. Tibicen superba appears to still be the most common large cicada and we caught several of them this summer as well. Interestingly enough, I also caught some Microstylum morosum — the Giant Robber Fly which is a predator on cicadas. This is the largest fly in the united states, and some of the specimens we caught were an inch and a half long.

Wes Phillips

Comment by Wes Phillips — August 21, 2005 [AT] 4:31 pm

I thought is was some nuclear being. We don’t have insects that big in Eugene, OR. Let alone plated ones with huge tubular needles coming from their mouth. I could hear it from the back of our property. I placed it in a jar until someone suggested it may be a cicada. My children set it on the patio table and watched it for over an hour. We were able to see it “sing” but you couldn’t really tell the abdomen was even moving. What a pleasure

Comment by Kristin — August 17, 2005 [AT] 4:39 pm

I hear them continuously throughout the daylight hours here in the far northwest of Illinois. I’m about 45 minutes from the Wisconsin border. I was just wondering if anyone knew when they will quiet down and their “song” will end. It has driven me almost to the point of insanity!

Comment by Sara — August 17, 2005 [AT] 10:48 am

Hi, I just saw this website, because I was trying to do some research on Cicada holes. We recently moved to Shamong, NJ (dec of 2004), and
about a month ago, I noticed HUNDREDS of little holes in our yard. I mean literally TONS of them. I didn’t know what they were. We live in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, and I had seen lots of shells of cicadas this Spring, 2005. Then about 3 weeks ago, we saw a cicada crawling across our sidewalk to the driveway. We live in DENSE FOREST area. My front yard is a forest, and so is my backyard. I had listened to some Cicada sounds, on the internet, and then realized “THIS IS THE SOUND that I have been hearing for the past few weeks.
All I can tell you is that we have HUNDREDS of HOLES — fresh holes, that I didn’t see earlier in early Spring. I am now seeing brittle Cicada shells all over the place and especially in our front yard.

So, I assume that they have made MY HOME, their home — which is cool. My hubby took pics of the one that was crawling across the sidewalk. It was late at night, however. Is that when they come out???

Email me, if you wish, and I will send you pics of the holes, and of the Cicada we saw, AND some other pics of the shells that are all over the place.

Jolly Alaniz

Comment by Joleen Alaniz — August 16, 2005 [AT] 6:06 am

Caught a live Tibician in southeast Indiana (Aurora) this morning on our front porch

Comment by Eric — August 14, 2005 [AT] 7:45 am

August 13,2004
Southeastern Mass I found a Tibicen variety of Cicada. It was located on the side of my garage near large catalpa tree The first time I have seen a live cicada and I have lived in area for my entire life. Found while looking for food for pet Praying Mantis. I do believe she will like this special treat.

Comment by Chris — August 13, 2005 [AT] 8:33 pm

my 12 yr. old daughter found a cicada outside in our front yard at 10:oo tonight the 13th of aug., 2005 in grandbay, alabama. we looked at it for a while trying to figure out what it was, and i remembered my dad telling me it was a cicada when i was about 12 yrs. old myself. we released it.

Comment by joey heflin — August 13, 2005 [AT] 8:03 pm

Here in Detroit, we hear them every summer. It’s just not summer without them. I’ve found several moltings on the trees near my home, the garage, and even on the side of my home. My daughter actually scared the crap (to put it polite) out of me when she brought a empty shell in the house. The sparrows & wrens in the area, must love them. I’ve seen some amazing chases this year. A few chases were near fatal for the birds. Since the birds where concentating on the cicadas and not watching traffic they were flying into. Watching a bird chase a cicada is AMAZING.

I have to admit these are some ugly bugs, but I love their music.

Comment by kelly — August 7, 2005 [AT] 7:01 pm

When we were younger, about 10 or so, my brother and would get up early in the morning, ride our bikes around the Neighborhood looking for cicadas. That seems to be the best time to catch them drying their wings on the trees. We had many pets that summer!

Comment by amanda — August 5, 2005 [AT] 11:05 am

I hear them every summer in the trees here in southern wisconsin!

Comment by amanda — August 5, 2005 [AT] 11:01 am

The mystery in San Antonio has been solved. Edward G. Riley, Associate Curator in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M, identified the species we collected as Quesada giga. He believes this species to be the largest cicada in North America and it ranges from south Texas to South America. Their call is described as “metallic”. I can say first hand that that description is accurate, and they are certainly the largest cicada I’ve ever seen. Very interesting indeed.

Comment by Greg — August 2, 2005 [AT] 11:49 am

I caught my first cicada pet ever this summer of 2005. I found him in our pool and he was still alive. I put him in a container for 2 days and I named him Bob. About 1 week later I caught a girl cicada being attacked by a pray mantis. I nammed her betty.

Comment by Katy Czarnecki — August 2, 2005 [AT] 7:59 am

I caught a tibican in Aberdeen MD. I found a dead one infront of my apartment the other day. we have a ton of the model T cicadas in my edgewood MD apartment complex. last year there were none but the magicicadas were close by it sounded like an alien spaceship. though I ve never heard an alien spacecraft before LOL

Comment by Vince Matson — August 1, 2005 [AT] 6:25 pm

I’m 45-years-old and although long aware of cicadas I’ve never experienced them first-hand. Today, July 31, 2005 that all changed. Here now the details: At approximately 10:45 AM EDT in Woodcliff Lake, NJ my wife and I were parked in the Mack-Cali building parking lot. The sunroof to my car was open and I heard a very unusual and loud sound that appeared to be coming from a tree that we were parked under. Getting out of the car to further investigate I was first struck by how loud the sound was. At first I imagined it was some strange avian call and as I tried to spot this creature hidden in the dense foliage the sound would cycle in and out. Loud, then very loud, almost frantic, then moderating. This area of the parking lot was populated by a species of tree I’m not familiar with, but it had fruit very much like large green cherries. Further exploring the trees I finally spotted a cicada that I managed to close within about 3′ of before it found me too close for comfort and flew away. Candidly, these are not attractive insects *cough*, but the decibel level a solitary insect is able to reach is truly astounding. The buzz of this entire brood of insects was like nothing I’ve ever heard before although if you’ve ever attended an F1 automobile race, the sensation is not terribly dissimilar. Wow! Thanks for this site and for wading through this report.

Comment by John Smyth — July 31, 2005 [AT] 6:46 pm

For the first time in my life I was able to watch and photograph numerous cicada nmphs coming out of their exoskeletons and gradually gaining four, straight, green wings. They were on tree trunks and the long thorns of honey locust trees in my front yard in rural northwest Oklahoma. Dan from Cicadamania identified their species as “Tibicin” annual cicadas.

Comment by Mary — July 28, 2005 [AT] 10:02 am

My 8 year old son found a cicada this afternoon! After visiting your site and listening to a few of the songs, we think it is a Tibicen

Comment by Sarah — July 27, 2005 [AT] 6:12 pm

There’s been an emergence of an interesting species here in San Antonio, TX. It appears to be a Tibicen species of which several are common to this area. What sets this one apart is its shrill call. It’s a high pitched buzz or whine unlike the Tibicen chatter we’re used to in this area. I collected a few specimens with an entomologist this morning to determine the species and will follow up with a post when we key it out. If anyone else may be able to shed some light on this particularly shrill calling cicada please post up or contact me at ghammer [AT] tamu.edu.

Comment by Greg — July 26, 2005 [AT] 12:09 pm

I keep hearing Cicada’s in my area, not sure what kind it is, although I do know it’s of a tibicen type (yeah I’m not all that scientific) They are the most interesting insects I have come across…trying to learn more and I am ALWAYS looking to see them yet I can’t. We have many oaks and maple tree’s in our area and the buzzing sounds like there’s millions of them, yet I know that’s not the case. I love these bugs 🙂

Comment by Donna G — July 20, 2005 [AT] 2:13 pm

Concord,North Carolina — this morning found a dogday cicada. it was scary and amazing at the same time because i have never saw anything like this in my life before.
it died as it was coming out of its skeleton. it was the weirdest thing i ever saw.

Comment by lana B — July 12, 2005 [AT] 11:42 am

Central Illinois — not sure what species, didn’t even know what it was…after reviewing the web site, and waking my neighbor to see it, confirmed cicada wandering on the curb.

Comment by momma w — July 11, 2005 [AT] 6:37 am

Found 7 molting T. lyricen specimens in one of my favorite cicada walking spots on July 7th. As of today July 10th still not a peep out of them. I’m in Massachusetts.

Comment by Gerry — July 10, 2005 [AT] 4:16 pm

I heard about 1 or 2 Tibicen chloromera singing this morning around my house.

Comment by Matt — July 8, 2005 [AT] 6:51 am

Found my first live specimens of Tibicen lyricen here in Massachusetts on the 4th of July. They are not calling in the trees yet as of today (July 6th) but I did hear the call of a Tibicen canicularis in my yard on the 5th but I haven’t found any live specimens.

Gerry

Comment by Gerry — July 6, 2005 [AT] 9:37 pm

Found 3 shells and heard over 10 cicadas singing yesterday. I also saw one fly past us.

Comment by Matt — July 5, 2005 [AT] 2:50 pm

heard another!

Comment by Matt — July 2, 2005 [AT] 5:22 pm

I heard a tibicen linnei in Cincinnati this evening.

Comment by Matt — July 1, 2005 [AT] 8:49 pm

I finally heard my first tibicen last friday evening(June 26th) in southwest ohio. It was a T. linnei. I haven’t found any live nymphs or skins yet but am still looking. More updates to come.

Comment by Roy Troutman — June 26, 2005 [AT] 3:04 pm

Platypedia putmani, one of the western clicking cicada has emerged in good numbers in the foothills immediately west of Fort Collins, Colorado. More than usual are being heard on the west side of town. There is some debate, whether they are reproducing in town or migrating from pine and brushlands west of town. I’m begining to believe they have started reproducing within town.

Comment by Tim McNary — June 24, 2005 [AT] 7:57 am

Subject: 2005 cicada

While vacationing at disney guess what I heard. My first cicada of 2005.
(Hiero)
I heard them on 5/7/05 11:00 am. at Magic Kingdom also on 5/8 at Animal Kingdom, and 5/9 at Epcot. I did not hear any at MGM on 5/9. All days were mostly sunny with temps in the upper 80′s.

I am going to a meeting at Baltimore on may 18th. After the meeting im going to the same place I went last year in Annapolis were there was at least a couple 1000 Periodical Cicadas their in hopes of seeing and takeing home some stragglers. Bill

Comment by Bill Mister — June 2, 2005 [AT] 9:24 am

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