Cicada Mania

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May 11, 2004

May 1st – 11th 2004 Cicada Comments

Filed under: Brood X | Old Message Board — Dan @ 11:19 am

Was planning to mulch…

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Was planning to put down mulch around some of our trees this weekend but I’m afraid I my hurt the ciacdas chances of getting out? Does anyone know it this is a valid concern?

Thanks! Peter, Princeton, NJ

Cicadas are finally here!

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I spotted 2 this morning in Lanham. I’ve waited a long time for this day!
Their cute little red eyes! Jinxy, Lanham, MD

They’re heeeeeeeeeere!!!!

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I wanted to let you know they are here in New Carrollton and the Beltsville Agricultural Center as well. Here’s a real kicker: I’m entomophobic! But I’m actually caught up in Brood Xitement (hey, that’s good…I should use that…) Anyhoo. Right now, there is a squirrel in my front lawn. I think he’s poaching! It’s the same one that was in the street sitting in one spot and I couldn’t figure out what he was doing. But now I understand it. He’s looking for the cicadas! I can actually hear them outside some. Despite my entomophobia, I’m a little excited to hear them at high roar as I was 7 the last time they were around. Now, time to go look at the cool shop…I may have to get one of those nifty shirts… Jennifer W., New Carrollton, MD

Not in Central KY

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
No Roberta. I have been to the arboretum and raven’s run the last 4 days and haven’t seen any evidence of their coming. Ed, Lexington, KY

Any Kentucky sightings yet?

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I am so bummed — I have seen no signs of cicadas yet! The only thing I have noticed is a lot of bumpy ground in my front lawn, but when I dig I find no nymphs at all. I’ll simply CRY if we don’t get them! I’ve been creating a small exhibit on cicadas at our science museum here and it will be pretty pointless if we don’t get any. Anyone in central Kentucky seen them yet? Roberta Burnes, Lexington, KY

How far north do these things make it?

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I remember being a kid about 17 years ago having a massive infestation of bugs in Montreal that covered every available vertical object (trees, telephone poles, walls) for about 2 weeks then disappeared. The kids called the Chad flies. I have always wondered what those were and now I guess they must have been Cicadas.

Seemed like the furthest extent of their range was New York State based on most sites I have seen. Does anyone know if these things make it as far North as Montreal?

If so, I will post any details of the Northern invasion… Robert Cole, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

They’re here

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Saw several in my front yard this morning! Tom, Chantilly, VA

Have seen them for a week now!

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Not a whole lot, but there I began seeing shells last week, and beginning Friday, they were flying into our sliding glass door. Friday night has been the loudest….there were probably 5 or 6, and it sounded as though there were 500. I haven’t heard them since, but they are still trying to fly into the glass door! Anthony, Waldorf, MD

If you’re still waiting, here’s a tip!

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
If you haven’t been blessed with the sight of any cicadas yet, here is a tip on how to find some. If you know the location of a piece of slate, a large rock or a wood pile that can be easily moved, look under it! They burrow up under said items and you can make out the tunnels they’ve dug too. Matt, Bethesda, MD

No cicadas as yet BUTTTTT

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I haven’t seen any cicadas yet. But I have had an emergence of those nasty earwigs this weekend. I’ve never seen so many at one time. Maybe they arepredators to the cicadas.And they DO have a good pinch! I’ll take the cicada ANY time over the earwig! Pam Mortimer, Glen Burnie, Maryland

Hordes of Cidadas

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Our 60 year old house and the surrounding yard are now covered with them. It was quite amusing watching my wife (who has never experienced the cidadas before)sprint to her car with an umbrella over her head! David, Silver Spring, MD

Spotted Two This Morning

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I spotted two cicadas this morning, that apparently emerged not too long ago… They won’t last long, they came out on the ground beneath my bird feeder…. okay, make that one cicada, and one bird with a full belly. Bill Blum, Springfield, OH

Little Freaked Out!!

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I’m sorry, I just can’t wait for them to all die and go away for another 17 years. I wish I could be enthusiastic and appreciate them but I have been stressing out for weeks now, I don’t want them bumping into me, blocking my front door and I don’t want to step on them either! I was 9 when they came last and my sister got one stuck in her hair! Yuk, I’m desperately thinking of ways to cover myself and avoid them all together!!! Shelley, Annapolis, MD

They’re heeeere

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I saw a couple hundred this morning on my way to work – on trees, telephone poles, car tires, shrubs, grasses, mail boxes. All in different stages of emergence. And the birds are having feast. Very, very cool. Dan Bannon, Takoma Park

they’re heeeeere !

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
my boss found her first one this morning, clinging to her garage. tess, edgewood, md

Recipes

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Does anyone have any good recipes for these tasty creatures. It is tradition that I eat a couple every time Brood X makes an appearance, that being said this will be my second time. What is the frying technique, are the wings pulled of first. I am thinking about a nice garlic buttered cicada on the grill. David, Falls Church, VA

First sightings

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I have a cicada shell sitting on my desk this morning, compliments of a co-worker who lives in Sulphur Springs, TN. (Northeast TN – just outside Johnson City). He has spotted holes in the ground on his property, and found this shell on the ground. They’re not on the trees yet. It’s just a matter of time now. Eeeewwww!!! I’m freaking out! PL, Sulphur Springs, TN

squirrels

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
If dogs can die from eating the cicadas, does that mean that dead squirrels will be falling out of the trees? Sissy, Burke VA

Holes

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Well, after letting the lawn get to Great Plains proportions, I finally mowed yesterday. And I came across these holes in my yard… I asked what they could be… NOW I get it! Of course. So, I should indeed be expecting the little creatures sometime soon. The earth bears her children, if you will.

This will be cool! A couple of things i am thankful for: 1) my neighbor killed my japanese maple last year (no need to worry about it this year) 2) I have a REALLY old car…no need to worry about dents, and smished creatures 3) The constuction on the house is almost done!

ENJOY! Deb, Takoma Park, MD

Hmmmm

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I’m originally from New Zealand and we have similar cicada’s but they are green instead of brown but still with the beautiful red eyes. Haven’t seen any yet, but will be keeping my eyes and ears open !!! Julie, Fairfax, VA

INCOMING!!!!!

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I’ve been dive-bombed twice (not intentionally, just walked out the front door at the wrong time). They are HARMLESS, but it’s still creepy to be hit by one flying by. Their little carcasses are stuck to my walls. I swept away about a dozen off the front porch yesterday. I awoke this morning and one of my large Hosta plants in the back yard is covered (1-2 perched on every leaf). They first appeared last Saturday, 8 May. Angie, North Springfield, Virginia

We’re hearing them now

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Last night we heard our first two very loud cicadas in the wooded area next to our development. We had seen some emerge from the ground on May 1st. Traci, Germantown, MD

They’re here

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I saw 3 or 4 last evening around 6 pm on my patio. I could tell something was up, the birds were chirping excessively! Bob, Fall Church, VA

Anxious

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I can recal being in High School when they last came out. I just remember the LOUD noise was everywhere. I am living in a new neighborhood in DC now from when I was in High School, so I am not too sure that it will be that bad in my area. I’ll have to wait and see. I think that the crickets are bad enough, OOF where are my ear plugs.

Jose

NW, DC jose, NW, DC

my dog is digging for them!!

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I saw about 3 cicadas this morning!! But all yesterday evening my pup was going nuts digging everywhere. he was on a serious excavating mission!! they are coming. he is excited but has no idea that his totally unsupervised backyard playtime has ended for a few months!! dp, Potomac, MD

Cicada invasion

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
This morning was the first that I really noticed them emerging in large numbers… on the side walk, in the air, the front lawn, and all over the car. Anyone know how long they were around 17 years ago? Chrissy, Cheverly, MD

Cicadas on the porch

Date: Monday, May/10/2004
today, May 10 there were a few cicadas on our porch here in the woods. Many could be heard in the distance george, NE Georgia Mountains Blairsville

they’re here!!!!!

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
my cicadas appeared yesterday – monday 5/10/04. i had about 30, and i have another 30 or so today. they are on a patch of tall weeds (about 2 feet tall) on the east side of the house. when i first saw them, i was excited, interested, yet somewhat repulsed. today, i’m just excited. Pam, Kensington, MD

Shell in my drive way

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
As I was going to work this morning at 7am I noticed a shell in my drive way. They’er here!!! Mike, Arnold, Maryland

Brood X Emergence

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I live in McLean VA in suburban Washington DC. Last evening (Monday) after getting home from work my sons and I counted about 30-40 empty casings on the older trees in our front yard. Last night the big explosion began, however. When I got up this morning there were dozens of empty casing on the trees and we spotted lots and lots of cicadas crawling toward the trees and several more on the trunk and actually in the process of emerging from their casings. One was actually doing so on one of our cars. I also saw the first flying cicada, which my son picked up and carried around on his shoulders after it had landed. The empty casings, by the way, went well up into the trees. I saw some up more than 20 feet. jmgradon, McLean, VA

am observations

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
My kids and I went out on our porch this morning to watch some birds feasting on the cicadas, and to collect some shells.

What a great science lesson! Sean, Takoma Park, MD

They’ve Arrived!!

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I have seen quite a few in the yard this morning. 5 or 6 of the creatures were attached to my car which is parked under a tree. That isn’t counting the shells in the yard. It hasn’t reached overwhelming proportions yet, which is good because I have a tremendous fear of insects. Nellie, Falls Church VA

They’re here

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
This past weekend, I noticed a few shells around and Monday noticed a few more. Got up this morning and my driveway had about 50 shells and about 10 cicadas (some looked dead, some moving slowly). The tires on my car looked polka dotted with all the shells left on them. I noticed on the street in front of my house probably 100 shells and lots of run over cicadas, however, when I drove down my street, other areas didn’t seem as affected. I must be ground zero for cicada in my neighborhood (Falls Church in Fairfax County, VA, near Annandale and Arlington). We’re moving to Tacoma, Washington today – I’m hoping everything gets loaded into the truck and makes it across country without getting covered in cicadas! Heather , Falls Church, VA

Sqealed with delight

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
This morning while out to get the paper, I nearly squished the first one. I brought it inside and showed my wife. She got so excited, she squealed with delight, jumping up and down and clapping her hands with childlike enthusiasm. I thought for a moment that she had been transported back seventeen years to the last emergence. Good times. Brian Williams, Falls Church, VA

A few!

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Last night, while walking the dogs, I saw several cicada carcasses… I’m on the lookout in my backyard now. I wasn’t in Maryland the last time and so I’m looking forward to the emergence with both trepidation and excitement…! Michelle, Hyattsville, MD

They’re in our yard!

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
We spotted a few cicadas in our yard yesterday (5/10), and caught one in a jar. Didn’t see any other western Fairfax County messages, so I thought I’d contribute. Liz, Reston, VA (west of DC)

hundreds and hundreds up

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Hundreds of cicadas up in the neighbor’s sunny, south facing yard yesterday and hundreds more today. They have climbed the stalks of unmown grass at the foot of an old maple and cover some of the small bushes. Then they take flight to nearby trees (and telephone poles.)No noise yet, except for the excited calls of the birds. r, Annandale, VA

First sighting

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Saw a great big perfectly formed, ugly cicada this morning on the outside of my screen porch. All five eyes were alert and he (she?) was ready to fly out and buzz someone. Beautiful!!!
Peggy Douglas, Washington D.C.

I’m jealous

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I’ve been reading with envy all the accounts of spotted cicada and I have to admit that I’m a little jealous. I haven’t heard one or seen one yet! I’m actually so ready to see one that I mistook a frog in my garage for one of the red-eyed buggers! I was 10 the last time the X brood swarmed the area and if I recall correctly, I used to pick them off my shirt and shake them out of my hair. I’m not saying I am ready to relive such an experience but now that I’m 27 I think, despite the fact that I’m not a fan of bugs, I am ready to appreciate them for their sheer magnitude and perseverance to sustain life in the ground for 17 years. Where are they already?? Jen, Anne Arundel County

netting

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I looked at the Reston Home Depot and Sterling Home Depot and Lowes; none of them have any netting. In my neighborhood, it seems like I am the only one concerned with protecting my young japanese maple trees. I think I am going to create a box out of old window screens held together with bungee cords. At least that will give them a fighting chance against egg laying in the woody stems.

Stacey, Reston, VA

Cicada Hole Siting

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Have seen lots of large holes in our lawn (under some plant pots we moved), but haven’t yet spotted an actual cicada. I love the way the creatures sound, but I can’t say I love the “crunching” under human feet. Will try to be careful when they’re out in force! Jinny, Bethesda, MD

BUG JUICE

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Okay, first of all, why are people facinated by these aliens?! They are SO gross! I am 17 years old, and the last time these monsters were here I was just a baby. My mom remembers running me into the car as fast as she could so they woulndt feast upon my body no bigger than theirs. And now.. as I approached my car this morning.. I was “delighted” to find 3 on my little black camry. I freaked out and screamed… there were THREE… And there are supposed to be thousands?? I can’t handle this… *cries* Mollye, Rockville, MD

Silver Spring Sighting

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I saw my first cicada this morning — a full-grown adult in all its black and red glory. It buzzed its way across my front porch before crashing into the side of my house. Soon, they will be crashing into me . . . Gaston, Silver Spring, mD

Wire Mesh

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Saw no cicadas, yet.

I, too, found Home Depot dropped much of their wire screening line. However, the Lowes at Dulles Town Center has a large selection with various opening sizes and gauges. It was quite effective at large keeping out large rodents. If you want something heavy, try Lowe’s. Peter, Sterling, VA

Faulty eclosion

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Cicadas need somewhere to perch and hang while they shed their skins (undergo ecdysis). If there are no good vertical surfaces (like that case below where the old tree was destroyed last year) many will not get the wingss expanded properly. David Marshall, Raymondsville, TX until Thurs

They are here

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I saw about 4-5 cicadas starting to come out of my lawn this morning when I was walking to my car. Time to get ready!!! MK, Silver Spring, Maryland

More then a 1000

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Indiana…An easy 1000…just this morning! I have been watching them in all stages under 2 oak trees.. over a 1000 doing the cicada dance. My dog had a added treat…looks like I buy a muzzle today! It is so amazing and thrilling. We have been much warmer here…mid 80’s and looks like it came early. The grass is so heavy under the trees with no signs of hills. Harriet, Nashville, Indiana ( South-Central)

Arrival last night

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
The 11 o’clock news showed the emergence in College Park, MD, so I went outside with a flashlight to look for bugs on our four mature trees. Sure enough, the front yard, with its red maple, were /swarming/ with them. But we couldn’t find /any/ on our ash and two maples in the back yard. A neighbor speculated that because it was so rainy last year, and our back yards are so marshy, the larvae may have drowned. Any thoughts on this? Jason R Tibbetts, Falls Church, VA

Many Emerging

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
We started noticing the nymphs emerging Friday morning. This morning our oak tree had hundreds of the red eyes getting ready to sing…. Cicada Watcher, Ellicott City, MD

I miss the cicads!!

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I was born in DC in the summer of 1970 and my mother recounts what it was like to be pregnant with the cicadas swarming and singing all around her. It breaks my heart that I’m currently living in New England, and will miss the fascinating, hypnotizing, wonderful little creatures. Anyone want to FedEx me one? Ren, Cambridge, Mass.

I won!

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I’ve counted at least 8 cicadas in my yard this morning. I moved out from CA less than 10 mos. ago, my wedding (partially outdoors) is planned for next month, and it’s just my freaky good luck that these creatures are timed to emerge now! My fiance left for a week-long business trip yesterday to boot, so it’s just me, our dog, and the cicadas. We made a bet as to when we thought the bugs would come out, and I won! You can be sure I’ll be cashing in on my bet when he comes back. Julie, Washington, DC

No ugly bugs here!

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
First, let me start off by stating my own preferred name for cicadas is ‘ugly bug’ because they look like mutant house flies.

We normally get the late summer variety of ugly bugs but I haven’t seen any of this brood X yet.

When I moved into my house 12 years ago, I had a large Elm tree in my back yard that was always full of ugly bugs in late summer, I couldn’t even go out my back door at night without stirring up a bunch of them. In Feb of 1994 a devestating ice storm hit our area and the Elm tree didn’t make it. Each year after that, the siting of ugly bugs in my yard has dwindled to near nothing. If I have/had any brood X ugly bugs in my yard, would they have died when the Elm tree was removed? Or maybe our area doesn’t even have any brood X to begin with? We’ll find out soon enough, I suppose. Jeff, Lynchburg, VA

Saw my first yesterday

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
They aren’t all over the place yet, but I have spotted a few. The first was drying off about 10:30am yesterday on my garden hose. http://www.elb.com/~hjohnson/randompics/cicada.jpg Ruby, Lorton, VA

they’re here

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Out this morning in Arlington and there were about a hundred on one tree alone. The birds were enjoying a hearty breakfast, and the hum has begun in heavily wooded areas. Pixie, Arlington, VA

Holes and Wings

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Have spotted holes in the ground. A few Cicadas in the trees. One on our front porch and one very nearly dropped in my mouth. Goose McKraut, Oakton, Virginia

These poor guys, by the thousands

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Lots of the poor guys wandering around on the sidewalk where a huge tree used to stand before the hurricane took it out last fall.

Why do so many of them–about half of the thousands that have emerged since last Thursday–why are they deformed? Typically, their wings don’t unfurl all the way and wind up drying half formed. They flap them so hard but can’t get off the ground and instead wind up rolling in the dirt. It’s so sad! They have a hard life, these guys.

Alex , Side street in Chevy Chase, MD–Montgomery County

Cicada sighting in DC

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I saw about 10 cicadas huddled along a big branch on an old fruit tree out in the lawn next to my house yesterday.

I’d like to screen off my porch. Does anyone know where I can get 1/4inches netting in the DC area (10’x20′)? Home Depot didn’t carry it. Ben, Washington, DC

sstillll waiting

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
were are they i think there being sneaky this year owell ryan demoss, tn nashville

Nothing yet….

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
But still awaiting ! I don’t remmeber the last “attack” so now that I’m 37, I should appreciate this summer event enev more ! Frank, Harrisonburg, VA

Saw first one yesterday

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Yesterday I saw our first cicada. No singing yet. I wasn’t sure they would hit our area since it looks like we’re on the fringe of the map. Jerri, Ellijay, GA USA

I think this will be the week!

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Well, we are expecting rain in the afternoons this week, and temps in the 80-90’s…….I have unearthed one nymph, ( I put him back) and my husband found one also, I keep checking for chimmneys, but havn’t found any….What gives? I grew up in Florida, and have only experienced ugh….Palmetto bugs. I am so excited to experience this natural phenom.! My friends are even having a cicada party!!!!! Complete with Sweet Cicada Pie! (It will just be Sweet potatoes, but maybe some nuts to make it crunchy! MMMMMM! I’ll let you know how it goes! Becky, Annapolis, Maryland

Bring ’em on!

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I was 10 in ’87, but now I’m 27 and ready to appreciate the coming invasion. Let’s see how many of these bad boys can make it out in 2004! Jason Baumgartner, Bel Air, MD

Spotted in Arlington, VA

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Probably about 30 or so on the sidewalks in the area near Wilson Blvd and George Mason Drive in Arlington, VA — at around 1:30 am 5/11/2004. Andrew Nuckols, Arlington, VA

Green Cicadas???

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I grew up in Southwestern Oklahoma and they do have many many cicadas there during the summer months. I have never seen a black cicada before or even heard of one until now, when i was reading about the brood x happenings on www.msnbc.com

The cicadas I alway saw in oklahoma were green, not black, I dont see any pictures of green ones on this site. Have any of you seen green cicadas as well? Scott, Salt Lake City Utah

a spotting

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Saw about 10-15 cicadas crawling around and shedding their skin tonight. Evan, Princeton, NJ

They are here

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Counted 10 to 15 this morning in the yard. Yippie!! kamie, Alexandria, VA

Cicada Sighting

Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
We saw and heard cicadas tonight at Delhi Park in Cincinnati. Not to many, but they are finally emerging! Looking forward to the next couple of days. Bill, Western Hills; Cincinnati, OH

None yet…..

Date: Monday, May/10/2004
No cicadas have emerged here yet. They are fascinating to me, but only from a DISTANCE!! Last time they were out, there was one standing on my patio near the back door. I was too afraid to go out the door, thought it would jump up onto me or something. It just stood there all day. Finally a friend who came over went out to chase it away, and it turned out to be nothing but an empty cicada-shell! Maryann, Central NJ

Aftermath of Hurricane Isabel

Date: Monday, May/10/2004
Last night we noticed dozens of cicada nymphs on the sidewalk in front of our home, near where a tree came down during Hurricane Isabel last year. We think that they were living on the tree’s roots and are now not sure where to go. The wandering nymphs are fascinating, but I can’t wait to see them after they’ve shed! MMM, Washington, DC

At Last!

Date: Monday, May/10/2004
The Cicadas emerged today at my house today, only about 100 of them but I can’t wate to see what tommarow brings. Ian, Morristown TN. ~Hamblen County~

Cicada

Date: Monday, May/10/2004
Something very unusual happened this evening (May 10th) while sitting on my front porch.
There was sawdust on various portions of the floor of my porch. After looking around, I noticed small holes above me in the cedar ceiling of my porch. It was then I also heard unusual sounds. I flushed out the holes and lo and behold, three cicadas dropped out from the holes. NOTE: My house was built 17 years ago.
Lynn G., Jamison, PA

YIKES!!!

Date: Monday, May/10/2004
It’s good to see that other people are freaking out like myself. I thought I was the only one who was afraid. Bugs are not “cool”, and anyone who thinks they are I envy. I started panicing weeks ago and trying to think of ways to cover myself. Today on rainshop.com I bought one of the “bubble umbrellas” of the 70s. Other scared people should buy them too, and we can start a cool new fashion statement! Simone , Silver Spring, MD

AHH

Date: Monday, May/10/2004
I do not want these cicadas to come out! im deathly afraid of bugs..and this isnt going to help! everyone is telling me that they wont hurt you…but i dont care…it still flies, and its still a bug! grr..anywho..enough of my complaining! hope everyone has a fun time dealing with these things;).
Kim* kim, Westminster,MD

Cicadas on the porch

Date: Monday, May/10/2004
today, May 10 there were a few cicadas on our porch here in the woods. Many could be heard in the distance george, NE Georgia Mountains Blairsville

A real odditie…

Date: Monday, May/10/2004
There is a hole, a borrow hole about the size of a golfball along side of the railroad tie which boxes off my parking pad. Last nite we saw something unusual at least to us anyway. Instead of Cicads coming out of the hole a thing that looked similar to a midget lobster popped his head and claws out just far enough for me to see it’s 1 inch crab like claws and it had 2 feelers or antenni on it’s head. It wouldn’t come out any further. I know we don’t have scorpions here in central Maryland or at least there is not supposed to be.
Is there such a thing as a cicada Killer?? It really has me puzzeled..
Well I was just informed by a 15 year old boy that these are crawfish.. Now I never know crawfish to live in a residential neighborhood… Thansk
Harry
Harry Chavez Sr, Edgewood, Maryland

The Cicada have finally emerged in the nations Capitol

Date: Monday, May/10/2004
It’s Monday May 10, 2004 and I observed my first Black-bodied, Red-eyed Cicada today! These are the first I’ve seen in DC this year. I captured it in a cup, showed it off to everyone I could, then named it Ralph and brought it home to Manassas, VA for the family and pets to see! And play with! Jeff, US Naval Observatory, Washington DC

adult cicadas

Date: Monday, May/10/2004
this morning I woke up to find several dozen cicada nymphs covering the bush in my front yard…many were still coming out of there shells. There were also several cicadas that had already emerged. Janell, Fairfax, VA

Emerging in Rockville, MD

Date: Monday, May/10/2004
The cicadas started coming out Friday morning, May 7th in an area where we get lots of sun. Today (the 10th), I’ve been watching them emerge all day long. They are crawling all over my hostas, daylillies and shrubs as well as up the brick facing of my townhouse all around the door which is a little freaky. I’m both horrified and fascinated! Rose, Rockville, MD

Two in my backyard right now

Date: Monday, May/10/2004
I have two cicadas in my yard right now. One is still drying one wing, and the other just flew off. Last night after my angst at not seeing any holes, I found one adult in the front yard. Yes, I am happy. Dona, Bethesda, MD, USA

First sighting

Date: Monday, May/10/2004
I just saw my first cicada while walking the dogs this morning. My daughter is getting married in two weeks and we are completely calm about this natural phenomenon. The ceremony is outdoors (reception indoors) and I just hope one of them doesn’t fall into her hair as she walks down the path but otherwise, we’re looking on their arrival and presence as a sign of good luck. Trying to be very “meditative” about the whole thing since there’s not a lot we can do at this point. Mireille, Bethesda, MD

Adult cicadas

Date: Monday, May/10/2004
This morning one of my students brought in an adult cicada. With my 4th grade classes, we took a walk around the school. We found another adult on a tree. They are predicting that Wed. as the mass time. We are in Silver Spring in the Four Corners area.

Shirley Jeffords Shirley Jeffords , Silver Spring, MD

Saw one this morning

Date: Monday, May/10/2004
A freshly-hatched one too. It looked like a jewel carved out of ivory with carnelian beads for eyes. It was laying in the gutter with its nymph shell nearby and I helped it onto a tree to dry out. What a great way to begin a trilling week! Christa, Alexandria, VA

They are here!

Date: Monday, May/10/2004
Last night at 10:17 pm we witnessed the first mass emergence near the College Park Campus of the University of Maryland. This was the “hundred cicada per tree” kind of event spoken of by folks like John Cooley. Cicadamaniac Paula Shrewsbury said “It was that kind of special, magic night entomologists dream of but rarely get a chance to experience”. Needless to say the rest of the Cicadamaniacs are nearly orgasmic over the arrival of Brood X. MIke Raupp, College Park, MD

Good snakes

Date: Monday, May/10/2004
I don’t get it – why you all folks so happy about this horrible event, which is going to spoil half of the summer?
Well, anyway – we are not seeing these celebrated ugly things here in Fairfax yet. HUNDREDS of holes, though. But we are seeing SNAKES. I live in Fairfax almost 10 years – and I haven’t seen anything but GARDEN snakes here before. Now – there are something entirely different, something that looks dangerous. So – here we go, predators are coming for a generous meal! Be excited – if you can. Elena, Farfax

They are out in full force here

Date: Sunday, May/9/2004
The last few days, we have seen hundreds of cicadas around our house. I have had to sweep them off the back porch before stepping out. They are still emerging and if they keep coming out – it will be truely amazing. So far they have been quiet…not sure when they are suppose to start “singing”. Bennie, Knoxville, TN

Nymph sightings

Date: Sunday, May/9/2004
I posted earlier with my sighting of a fully emerged adult male. After finishing my yard work for the day I can say I think they will begin to emerge in full force this week in suburban Maryland. I have seen several nymph holes in my yard by moving stones and pieces of wood. I don’t even have a big tree in my yard but my neighbor does right by the fence. With temps in the high eighties and the chance of late day thunder storms to soften the ground even more, I think this is the week to see a mass emergence! I am taking photos with my digital camera and may post them on the web.
Later! Sean, Kensington, MD (Suburban Wash. DC)

Saw my first brood x cicada

Date: Sunday, May/9/2004
UGH! I saw the one (and only one) at Blue Lick State Park in northern KY today, Mother’s Day.

Jill, Kentucky

No longer waiting in Bethesda

Date: Sunday, May/9/2004
Me again.

After I sent the last, sad message, that I had no evidence of cicadas on my property, I started planting some flowers in a vine covered shade garden and saw a cicada nymph. Then I noticed some holes nearby and my children overturned some flagstones to uncover dozens of holes and nearly emerging nymphs. Whew. I thought I would be left out. Dona, Bethesda, MD, USA

First sighting (for me anyway)

Date: Sunday, May/9/2004
I was pruning shrubs and trees in my back yard this morning and I was startled by a large buzzing insect which flew into my head and landed on my shirt. I was overjoyed to see that it was a small male cicada recently emerged, it’s wings and other body parts were just rigid enough for it to attempt flight. I carried him up to my deck to finish drying. Later I went up to check on him and he flew off as I came close. Brood X is not far away Washington! Get ready and bring your ear plugs! Sean Coleman, Kensington, MD (Wash. DC suburb)

Waiting in Bethesda

Date: Sunday, May/9/2004
I am disappointed that there are no signs of cicadas in my yard. The local school has lots of cicada holes around a huge old tree, but my yard has nothing. Our trees are old and I don’t think there was a lot of construction done in the past 17 years, so where are my cicadas? (Although I believe this 1940’s house was added onto *in* 1987. Perhaps the construction made the insects uncomfortable and they all went into neighbors’ yards.

I am so excited about this emgergence. I was fascinated with the 1987 cicadas. I was teaching in Arlington, Virginia at the time and it was thick with the little critters there. Alexandria, where I lived at the time, had few…at least in my neighborhood.

Sorry about your message boards. I was looking for my old post and saw that you needed to change formats. Some people are just plain mean. Dona, Bethesda, MD, USA

Waiting and dreading

Date: Sunday, May/9/2004
They are not officially here, but I see the holes around the trees and other places. It has been 80 degrees for 3 days and the ground should be warm enough soon. Having lived through at least 3 sieges of cicadas (one may have been the 13 yr variety), I am terrified, they fly right into a person. Blindly driven by that mating call. I have bought 4 ponchos, the dollar variety, hoping to cover myself with a non stick surface on route to and from car. I HAVE to work or I would stay in house for a month. At night, the last time they came the ground would ripple under the trees where they were erupting. YUCK. Thanks for this board, I love reading the other experiences. Micki, Nashville TN

awaiting emergence

Date: Sunday, May/9/2004
I have not yet seen an adult, but have encountered an enormous number of nymphs just below the surface on my property. From doing some careful digging, overturning logs, etc., I think that I have an underground cicada nymph density of about 30-50 per square yard – this is not a surprising number given that almost all of the ten acres I own is old, virgin forest. It is going to get crazy here shortly.

I am expecting emergence within the next few days, especially since we are going to be having high temps in the 80s for at least the next week, which will get the ground warm. Am planning on videotaping much of the emergence, and then moving my bed to a windowless basement so that I can sleep through the noise at night. Greg Lehmiller, North Baltimore County, Maryland

Not here yet…..

Date: Sunday, May/9/2004
But I’ve been watching! Will go to the Furnace Hills today and see if we can find any. Mike Frey, Lancaster PA

Cicada video – emergence from shell!

Date: Saturday, May/8/2004
2 years ago I saw (for the first time in my life) a cicada emerging from its shell. I ran & grabbed my 8mm video camera & shot almost all of it. I shot 90 min before my camera broke down. I edited it down to 15 min & put a Tool song behind it. You can watch the movie free on my website here:

http://homepage.mac.com/weedmeat/iMovieTheater3.html

You need a newer version of Quicktime to watch it as it’s in mp4 format. Quicktime is a free download from http://apple.com/quicktime/

Dim the lights, crank the volume, have fun, & let me know what you think. And watch out for the crazy ant ;^) weedmeat, Chicago

How can I preserve cicadas?

Date: Saturday, May/8/2004
I teach 4th and 5th science and would like to preserve some of the adult cicada. How can I do it? To preserve the nymphs just let them dry out. Shirley Jeffords, Wheaton, MD

Emergence in Fort Aberdeen

Date: Saturday, May/8/2004
Our neighbor was attending an outdoor ceremony in a tent in Fort Aberdeen, MD on May 6 when the Brood X came out in large numbers. We have cicadas one inch down in our soil waiting for the right moment which should be soon. David Olson, Columbia, MD

first sighting in DC?

Date: Saturday, May/8/2004
It’s 2:15am and there’s a cicada sticking to the frame of the door of my apartment complex. I am *so* staying indoors this weekend. AG, Washington DC

question

Date: Saturday, May/8/2004
how big are adult cicadas? Adolf, baltimore,md

Do these cicada’s come to Massachusetts?

Date: Friday, May/7/2004
I do not remember seeing these things. Are they like locusts? Diane Marshall, Wrentham,Ma

Protective Cicada Gear

Date: Friday, May/7/2004
For anyone who is absolutely terrified of these buggers, you might want to invest in clear bubble umbrella like the ones from the 70’s. They cover the top half of your body. Even though the cicadas can fly up underneath, at least you can prevent them for landing in your hair or splatting in your face.
I look forward to seeing the month of July!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck everyone!! Angie, Cincinnati, Ohio

Cicadas at night

Date: Friday, May/7/2004
Are cicadas active at night? Are they attracted to lights? Will it help to put yellow bulbs in my porch lights? Gaston, Silver Spring, MD

Run for your life

Date: Friday, May/7/2004
I can’t believe I have to endure these things again! Isn’t anyone else out there frightened to death? Where can I move that’s within an hour or so to DC to escape these little nightmares!?!? Mr Bug, Bethesda, MD

me so scuuurreedd

Date: Friday, May/7/2004
i HATE bugs, but more than that, they scccaaarreee me! eeewwwww – how long are they here for? i’m in the dc area – and where can i go for a month that they won’t be?!?! lisa, dc

First Cicada

Date: Friday, May/7/2004
When dropping my daughter off at daycare this morning I almost stepped on a cicada. It’s wings were not spread yet and it just rolled off the step as I moved by.

I didn’t get a picture but it looked exactly as I remember it from my childhood.

My wife is going to be so unhappy that I saw one first. 😉 Mark, Wheaton, MD (just outside the Capitol Beltway)

Cicada Image from 17 Years ago.

Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
I took this image in Maryland 17 years ago, during the last periodic appearance of these pests.

http://www.photo.com/photodb/photo.tcl?photo_id=2343185

Bill Angel, Silver Spring, Maryland

Cicada Function

Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
Try this website for more information about Cicada’s and their purpose for life on earth.

http://www.lander.edu/rsfox/310TibicenLab.html Erin, Columbia, MD

Sighting

Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
I saw one flying around my window at work around 3:00 pm today. EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW yuck, Columbia

Do they sing at night?

Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
Do they sing all day and all night? Do they ever stop before they die? Sheila, Baltimore,MD

What is the purpose?

Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
I can’t find anything to document the function or purpose of a cicada? Anyone out there know anything? Kim, Baltimore, MD

Hurry up, cicadas!

Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
I remember the “invasion” in 1987. One of my co-workers was outside having a smoking break and a cicada flew up her skirt and got stuck on her pantyhose. It has been a long 17 years and I need another laugh of that magnitude.

Seriously, my best friend was out looking for spring peepers and found a lot of cicadas underneath rocks, just waiting. My guess is that when we start having warmer nights, they will come up.

Suggestion for fun — have an office cicada pool! Everyone contributes a dollar and the first person who sees a cicada wins the pool!

Have a trilling day!
Christa Christa, Alexandria, VA

RE: DON’T SPRAY

Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
Roberta Burnes makes an excellent point. I hear about at least one pet dying per year after eating cicadas which were sprayed with pesticides. If you love your pets, or neighbors pets, don’t spray. In addition pesticides meant to kill pests can kill other insects as well. Guess what happens when you kill too many bees: plants don’t get fertilized, they die off and no more food for you and me. Dan Mozgai, Cicada Mania Headquarters

DON’T SPRAY! Spraying cicadas poisons cats and dogs!

Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
I’ve read so many posts from scared people who talk of spraying the cicadas….please people, THINK about where that poison goes once it hits the cicada. These insects are food for many, many other creatures including songbirds, cats, dogs, squirrels, snakes. Poison does not get magically washed away — when you spray insecticide it enters the food chain. One cat or robin gorging themselves on cicadas (which is what they do during emergences) can ingest enough poison to cause paralysis or death. I’ve seen it happen with songbirds when I worked in a wildlife rehab clinic. Please don’t spray the cicadas — it won’t stop them coming into your yard from other areas, and you’ll wond up poisoning many other creatures unintentionally. Roberta Burnes, Lexington, KY

just a question

Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
ummm well i have been hereing that cicadas can pinch you and leave a scar or something. are they so loud that you can here them when your window is closed? unone, Maryland

Won’t be long now!

Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
My wife and I were planting a bit in the garden yesterday and found them about an inch down. I imagine DC is ready to break with Baltimore right behind. The soil temperature should be perfect after this weekend as we’ll be in the 80’s (pushing 90). We’re leaving for Ireland tonight and we fully expect them to be out when we get back next week.

As far as your plants, not to worry. The evergreens are also relatively safe. Your young trees, however, will get some attention. We also have a young Japanese Maple. Just don’t prune anything until after they’re gone as they’ll kill some branches. The cheesecloth or some mesh is a good idea as it reduces the probability of them making it to your tree. They’re really dumb, but when there’s a million of them, chances are they’ll make it no matter what!

Have Fun! JS, Baltimore, MD

Harm to Plants

Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
I would like to know other than the small fruit trees in my backyard that I have covered with cheescloth, will the cicadas harm azaleas, rhodos, japanese maple or red leaf maples that are 4 years old? Will they touch small evergreens – like blue spruce or douglas firs? How about shrubs like holly?

I want to cover everything that might be affected in my landscape in southern Maryland. Can someone give me these answers or point me to a place that I can get these answers?

Thanks in advance! Heidi , Waldorf, MD

turrets

Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
Breaking off the turrets is not likely to hurt them, although no one really knows for sure what the turrets are for. The cicadas sometimes just seal such openings back up until it is time to come out. David Marshall, Univ. of CT (Land of Basketball Domination)

Mud Chimneys

Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
I was trimming my hedge in front of the house, and when I was raking up the trimmings, I broke off a bunch of mud chimneys! Sorry little dudes! Will this hurt the nymphs at all? Maybe not because they stay in the ground? Thanks for any info! David Kirk, Brookville, IN

Time of Cicada arrival

Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
Today I found several all white cicada under logs and brush. They were right at ground level and out of there holes. Can anybody give an approximate date for the emergence in the Washington D.C. area? Richard, Sandy Spring, Maryland

How bad will they be in Dayton?

Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
I went through this in 1999, when Brood V hit northern WV. Now, I’ve moved to Dayton, and it’s not fair that I’ll have to deal with another round of cidadas only 5 years later.

What I remember from WV was an astonishing plague of biblical proportions. People didn’t want to leave the house. You couldn’t make it 10 feet outside your door without getting hit by 2 or 3 of them.

I’ve heard that Cincinnati will be very hard hit. But does anyone know what they’re like in Dayton (southeast side, specifically)? Do they blacken the skies like I remember Brood V doing?

What, exactly, am I in for? Please tell me something good. Dave, Dayton, OH

Incoming cicadas

Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
Many people have asked about pesticides for these periodical cicadas. I would like to post my opinion: Deal with the temporary inconvenience of the cicada invasion. History shows that humans have been less-than-responsible in our use of pesticides and their long-term negative impact on the global environment. These bugs are basically harmless, although a nuisance, and before you know it, they’ll be gone and we can enjoy another 17 years (!) with no cicadas. Siobhan, PG County, Maryland

Magi-cicada

Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
It’s pronounced “magi – cicada”– no “k” sound. I wondered the same thing until I went on my internship with UConn’s cicada team for Brood XXIII two years ago. =) Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

pronounce “magicicada” please

Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
Is it like “magic” with a “k” and then “cicada” or just “magi” without the “k” sound? Also, is the plural of “cicada” also “cicada” or is it “cicadas”?
Thanks! Terri, Silver Spring, Maryland

Their pinchers

Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
Now I know they dont bite you but can they pich you? Jean, Lebanon,IN

My first cicada and UM T-shirts

Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
I saw my first cicada yesterday – I was weeding my flower bed and pick up a rock – there was a large, pale insect with red eyes pushing up out of a newly-dug chimney. It quickly retreated – aaaaggh! The light! The light! I then started looking around my yard and noticed a lot of chimneys, all over the place. I haven’t seen any more cicadas yet, though.

For another topic, does anyone know if you can purchase the University of Maryland Entomology Department T-shirts online? JenB, Alexandria, Virginia

Non-periodic cicadas

Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
I hear loud buzzes on some nights while driving past thick woods in North Florida, and these rise and fall in volume and pitch in exact unison. Is this news to anybody? It seems remarkable to me that the bugs could stay in time tho spread out over a mile or so of woods.
And are these sounds from cicadas at all, or could they be katydids or some such, even though they are very loud and easily audible from a car speeding past the woods.
I’ve heard these synchronized sounds many nights, and am not sure they are caused by PERIODIC cicadas.
Are there nonperiodic cicadas in North Florida that emerge at random times, thus having some in the woods at all times?
Thanks for any helpful info. Paul PAUL, bRADENTON FL USA

Location

Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
Does anyone know where in Indy I may take my children to enjoy this event.. I have heard that they may emerge around the Fort Ben area. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks. Kim, Indianapolis, IN

Question

Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
How long do Cicada’s stay for? Nathan, Lebanon, IN, Boone Country

Cicadas

Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
Tehe last time the Cicadas were here one flew into my hair and I have been scared to death of them ever since. If the market has spray to kill other insects, why doesn’t someone come up with something to get rid of these horrible things? True they can’t hurt you but there so many of them that it seems something could be done. Linda M., Cincinnati, Ohio

Oh my, could it be?

Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
I’m no expert, but I think I saw a new adult while removing sheets I had put over my roses. At first I thought it was a strange grasshopper! Michael, Maysville, KY

cicada sighting

Date: Tuesday, May/4/2004
Saw cincada for first time today. Was moving mulch off flowers emerging from ground. When I moved the mulch maybe a 1inch under was two cincada still white in form . Polly Weber, Elkton, Md , Cecil county

The Message Board is back up

Date: Tuesday, May/4/2004
Due to fact that we were getting too much spam and family-unfriendly messages, the board is now moderated. Send in your message, we’ll review it and post it. Dan Mozgai, New Jersey

April 30, 2004

Cicada Comments from April 2004

Filed under: Brood X | Old Message Board — Dan @ 11:16 am

re: flying or crawling?

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
Becca, they start out crawling when they emerge from underground. They crawl up the highest thing (ie; a tree), where they transform into flying creatures. Check out this link: http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/fauna/michigan_cicadas/Periodical/Index.html And I totally understand and share your fears. I’m also from New England, and had I known that this occured, I probably would have never relocated out here! Patricia, PG County, MD

They are lots of fun

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
If you do get these here are some fun things to do with them. In 87 we dressed one up like elvis. Then we made some small glasses cut out of clear film and super glued them to the cicadas eyes. Looked really cool. But the best thing to do to them is amuse them. We found an adult cicada fit perfectly in the barrel of a paint ball gun. It is like a amusement ride for them. After giving them a co2 enama they leave the barrel at 300 ft per sec.That way the birds cant eat them, They are going to fast. The other fun thing is to paint their eyes with white-out and let them go in the house. They will fly into everything. Also if you pull the wings off they have to walk the rest of their lives. On the same note you can pull the legs off throw them in the air and they have to fly the rest of their life. I have taken bottle rockets off the stick and super glue the bottle rocket to the cicadas back, light it and throw it in the air, They get a bang out of that. If you any more good clean fun cicada amusement ideas plz e-mail them to me. Don Doneagle5 [AT] aol.com, Cincinnati

flying or crawling?

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
Do they fly or crawl? do they crawl up your pants legs? do they crawl on your screens? I’m DREADING this. I grew up in New England where we didn’t have these… Becca, PG County, MD

OK…..

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
Thanks for your words Leslie. I am right next door in Hyattsville and you have calmed me a bit… Patricia, PG County, MD

SCARED

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
Hey all, I need advice bad from a GOOD source of information. Can anyone tell me something about the cicada that will make me feel a little better? All I am hearing is that it will be impossible to function outside becuase they will be swarming all around us. I am getting scared to even take my 15 mth old son outside to play…I need to know if this is really as bad as everyone is saying. Can someone give me some knowledgable words of comfort? jamie, Charlotte Hall, MD

Are they coming earlier than expected?

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
I had heard that they were supposed to be coming out in mid-May, now I’m hearing that it will be sooner. Does anyone know? I am REALLY scared, (and know they are harmless but it doesn’t matter). I’m just freaking out here. I hadn’t heard about them swarming around people before…I was going to carry an umbrella when I went outside, but now it sounds like it won’t help much…any advice is most appreciated… Patricia, PG County, MD

Cicadas

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
Do cicadas eat or dig holes in your yard? Letitia, Maryland

Dundalk

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
I’ve contacted the principal of the Dundalk Middle School, and boy are you kids in trouble. Wait ’til your parents find out. Also, I guess your teachers aren’t doing a very good job, ‘cuz you kids sure can’t spell. Sky, Arlington, Va.

CICADA

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
HOW DO THEY EAT THERE FOOD? ROGER THOMPSON, DUNDALK

cicada

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
I WORSHIP THE DEVEIL
\ veronica, school

Moo!

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
ROGER LOVE A TREE HUGGING HIPPE AND DARIUS! Meru, Dundalk

dghd

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
no i dont ROGER dose lol clinton, dundalk middle school

cicada’s

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
I LOVE CLINTON veronica weber, school

Meow

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
im boucnybunny lol dodododododododododododo roger sucks! Meru69, dundalk

kissy kissy

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
im a happy bunny hug me Roger, Dundalk middle school

cicada’s

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
hi veronica weber. clinton , dundalk middle school

cicada

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
hi clenton see more buts, dundalk md.

hi

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
hi bob, dudndalk

hi

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
you guys are stupid bob, dundalk

COOLEST THING

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
Dear Ralph – Is it Norwood or Kenwood? Ghost, Warren County

To Amy in Ohio

Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
I saw the coolest thing in Walgreens yesterday that would be perfect for your cicada party, check it out. Ralph, Norwood

I died and went to hell

Date: Wednesday, Apr/21/2004
I moved to Reston VA in 1987 from NY and I never in my life experienced anything like these buggers! I thought I had died and gone to hell. I used to RUN to the mailbox and back, ending up covered in these disgusting creatures… screaming all the way. I swore that I’d MOVE before the 17 years was up and they came again. Doh. I’m still here. I plan on not leaving the house for a month. Jean B, Reston VA

protecting my air conditioner

Date: Wednesday, Apr/21/2004
Do I need to protect my air conditioners from cicadas? If yes, what should I use? maggie, maryland

Re: Magicicada

Date: Wednesday, Apr/21/2004
A.Briscoe,
The cicadas should be here about mid May & be gone by the middle of June. As far as I remember the brunt of the chaos was in the last week of May & the first week of June. Hope this helps. Roy T, Batavia, OH

Magicicada

Date: Wednesday, Apr/21/2004
The magicicadas are going to be here next month(May). My question is when they arrive, how long will they be in town? A.Briscoe, Mount Rainier, MD, P.G. County

Party cicada

Date: Wednesday, Apr/21/2004
Are you kidding Amy? Go to cincycicada.com where you can get all of your cicada supplies, shirts, mugs, coasters and more! Joe, Cincinnati

Cicada Items

Date: Wednesday, Apr/21/2004
Does anyone know where I can get Cicada items for a Cicada theme party in May? I am looking for Tshirts- or cups.Thanks,
Amy Amy, Ohio

Highway Problems?

Date: Wednesday, Apr/21/2004
I have a road trip planned to Pittsburg the 1st week of June. Will there still be alot then. Will I be stopping every few mile to clean my windshield. Are they going to clog up my radiator. Steve, Colerain Twp (Cincinnati)

Nymphs are starting to build mud chimneys!

Date: Tuesday, Apr/20/2004
I was out in the woods in my back yard this afternoon & saw that some of the cicada nymphs are starting to build little mud chimneys to control the wet soil they are in. The little buggers don’t want to drown down there even though from reading some of these message posts lots of people wish they would. lol Roy T, Batavia, OH

WHY?!?!

Date: Tuesday, Apr/20/2004
Why does this have to happen? If I could think of my absolute worst nightmare – it would be huge flying ugly bugs covering every inch of land! I can already see myself being injured or having a panic attack after a run in with a cicada. I am just ready to get it over with… Tiffany, Laurel, MD

RE: Lain

Date: Tuesday, Apr/20/2004
I seriously doubt they’re Cicadas. What color were they? Are they stubby and plump like a miniature vienna sausage, or are they flat w/ antennae? If they were perfectly round, very small and looked like a ladybug only brown, I’d say they were probably Japanese Ladybugs. They have a hard casing with wings below. I’m such a bug phobe. The exterminator is coming tomorrow to deal with our Carpenter Bees over our deck, the Paper Wasps that have taken up residence there, and the 3 Waterbugs I found a few days ago. I HATE BUGS! The only think I hate more are CICADAS. I don’t see them as bugs; they’re little demons. I feel like I’m in a race to get everything done before they invade N. Kentucky. Once they’re here … I’m staying in. It’ll take Jesus’ coming to get me out of this place! Lisa, Ft. Thomas, KY

I remember them well!

Date: Tuesday, Apr/20/2004
They don’t seem to have gotten here yet but I know they’re on their way. The last time they were here my dog ate them like popcorn and gained 5 lbs–the only member of my family that thought it was a GOOD thing! I feel sorry for everyone who has to work outside–it’s miserable especially for landscapers, lawncare folks, etc. The cicadas are drawn to loud buzzing noises and have been known to send grown men on ride mowers over the edge! J. Lee, Nashville, Tennessee

Cicada Life cycle

Date: Tuesday, Apr/20/2004
Last night I found 8 small (1/4 inch)
bugs in my living room. They had hard outer wing cases with wings below. I did a little research on some insect keys but my insect anatomy is a little rusty. Does anyone know if there’s any possibility that these are cicadas? I do hope so because if they’re not they’re small roaches!
Thanks
Iain G Iain, Annapolis, MD

Re: sooo worried about the bugs

Date: Tuesday, Apr/20/2004
Becca,
Yes, the critters will try to come inside if you have your doors open at night with strong light inside the house. Also, cicadas are attracted to porch lights so it’s best to keep those off at night if you are outside. Cicadas are not known to have road rage so no need to panic if one lands on you, just brush it off. If you are scared to touch them just carry a small paint brush with you & you can use that to brush them off that way. They are obviously more crawlers before they shed their skins but both crawl & fly when adults. Hope this helps.
Roy T, Batavia, OH

Dothey see

Date: Monday, Apr/19/2004
I want to know if cicada’s can see. Or are this big eyed bugs blind. and if they can’nt see why are their eyes so big.You wood think that if they have such big red eyes,and have so many fly life looks.Again why can’nt they see where they’re going.And what they’re doing.Do they smell’I did’nt see a nose I just see those “BIG SPOOKY SCARRY RED EYES!!!” Nita E., baltimore maryland

to Amanda

Date: Monday, Apr/19/2004
Girl I understand how you feel because I have never seen these bugs before either and I am scared. I just want them to hurry up and come because I am tired of hearing about them. The more I hear about them the more scared I get. When it comes to your lacrosse practice, personally I would stay in the house or ask if they could have practice indoors. kendra, pg county Maryland

sooo worried about the bugs

Date: Monday, Apr/19/2004
Does anyone know if there is anything you can do to minimize the chance of the cicadas landing on you? Are there colors that are better or worse? Are they more flying or crawling bugs? Do they try to come inside (like moths)? Becca, Maryland

Re: Do they like water?

Date: Monday, Apr/19/2004
John,
There was an emergence several years ago along the river upstream from Newport & the cicadas emerged all the way up to the riverbanks so I doubt the critters will be repelled by the water. Sorry it wasn’t the answer you probably wanted to hear. Roy T, Batavia, OH

Do they like water?

Date: Monday, Apr/19/2004
I’m the GM of a popular rest with a patio overlooking the river. Is it true that Cicadas hate the water and if so are my guests safe from the annoyance? Please help john, newport

Got a Shirt from www.cincycicada.com

Date: Monday, Apr/19/2004
Joe I goy one of those shirts you were talking about how funny. I think the web site is. www.cincycicada.com John, Cincinnati

4/18/2004…Found 7 cicadas emerging!

Date: Sunday, Apr/18/2004
Thought these buggers weren’t due until mid to late May?! Found seven right below the soil while digging to plant a few flowers. (Thought I could beat the cicada frenzy). These babies are ready now, YUK! I can hardly wait. Actually, I wish they’d just come on and get here and get it over with! I’m tired of thinking about it! I feel like standing outside and screaming “If you want me, come get me!” People say they won’t hurt you….heart attacks hurt; don’t they?! Linda, Fairfield Ohio

decibels

Date: Sunday, Apr/18/2004
Does anyone know why if one cicada makes a sound as loud as a motorcycle, why don’t 1000 cicadas sound like the accumulated sound of 1000 motorcycles? Jon, MD

Hate those bugs!!!!

Date: Sunday, Apr/18/2004
I’m the floral designer for Cappel’s Downtown Store in Cincinnati, Ohio. Even thought we hate these bugs, we at Cappel’ enjoy making these little bugs into pins and have made special order Cicada pith hats for those who feel the need for them! You can’t do anything about them so live with them and have a party! A Cicada Party, why not, live a little!!! Linda Linda, Cincinnati, Ohio

will it effect me outside

Date: Sunday, Apr/18/2004
hi this is my first time experiencing the cicadas. i go to school in DC and we have lacrosse practice everyday outside on the field. Do you think this will effect me a lot. Did i mention that i am SO freaked out when it comes to bugs. I just can’t wait till this is over and it hasn’t even started. Amanda, Bethesda, MD

They’re Here!

Date: Saturday, Apr/17/2004
I was working in the yard today, 4/18/04 and saw two of the little buggers when I picked up a bag of mulch that had been sitting on the grass. I figure the mulch bag made the earth warm and they thought it was time to come out and date. Oh boy-here we go again! Greg Schwartz, City of Alexandria, VA

Yuck, this can’t be happening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Date: Saturday, Apr/17/2004
Is it true that those icky sticky shelled bugs are coming back in May 2004. I seem to remember the Cicada’s coming not too long ago! No way it’s been 7 years! Is there anything you can do to prefent them from eating away at our trees? Molly joe Sue, Ohio

Cicada T-Shirts

Date: Saturday, Apr/17/2004
If you are looking for a funny twist to the cicada invasion look at this site.
www.cincycicada.com
The tshirts are great. Joe, Ohio

OK…I have faced the fact that they are coming…

Date: Friday, Apr/16/2004
…but I am SO scared. I have an unbelievable bug phobia and I truly do not know how I am going to make it through this.I am so glad that I found this site, and I really appreciate the links that someone was nice enough to provide to give more info.Question: Are they really active in the evening? I’m thinking that if I stay in all day, maybe I can get out at night to run errands. or maybe first thing in the morning… Patricia, PG County, MD

My God, a Cicada sonata

Date: Friday, Apr/16/2004
If a Cicada mates with a sheep, does it result in a baa hum bug? Bug lovin’, Baltimore, Maryland

Dirty Mexican Bugs

Date: Thursday, Apr/15/2004
These bugs are little mexicans. Basically they pack like hundreds in your head…like told earlier from a Jon from NY. These critters bends over like the best of them. I have seen about 7 at a time in this kids head while he was swinging on a outdoor mansled. I was much amazed that I actually had to join them. Good Luck and Enjoy the rendezvous! HackleBerry Joe, Africa

Those crazy bastards

Date: Thursday, Apr/15/2004
I am 20. I remember those little buggers flying around and mating like machines. I was 3 at the time, and one of those hot little momma cicadas fly into my hair, and then the strapping young lad-cada pranced on over, and they began mating like fiends. I am terrified every day, waiting with no hope of stopping the horrific hatchery that will occur on my head for their glorious return. Remember kiddies, those things mate like a wildebeast and a rhino on a thursday, don’t be the next to allow them to mate on your head!!!———————————-The life of a cicada:
1) Hatch
2) Mate
3) Eat
4) Mate
5) Shed Shell
6) Mate
7) Die (while mating) Jon, NY

AAAHHHHH!!!!

Date: Thursday, Apr/15/2004
I am completely terrified of bugs…. Any and Every type of insect especially ones that Fly!!! I am 21 years old and spent my life in Northern Pennsylvania. I don’t remember anything like this and my parents do not recall any type of insect of this sort. I really dont know how I am going to deal with these THINGS!!!!!!!!! What am I going to do? Staying inside for a month is starting to sound like a good option!!! Mandie, Maryland

It’s about time!

Date: Thursday, Apr/15/2004
I have been looking forward to this for a long time. Each summer for years I have said, “Isn’t it about time for the 17 year cicadas again?”. It is finally here and I am so excited to be able to share it with my two children. Dona, Bethesda, Maryland

Re: I AM SCARED

Date: Thursday, Apr/15/2004
Erica,
If you are really that scared of the bugs maybe you can take a few weeks vacation at the end of May & stay inside to miss the onslaught or if your work has a third shift you could temporarily change shifts to miss all the buzz so to speak. But why would anybody want to miss the invasion? Cicadas are great!
Roy T., Batavia, OH

I AM SCARED

Date: Wednesday, Apr/14/2004
I am from Niagara Falls, NY and we just dont have these bugs ! I am terribly frightened and afraid.. i know i will either get into a terrible car accident or lose my job because i cannot leave the house! i am serious. someone please help me. what can i do? will they fly into my car as i put my baby in her car seat? help! Erica, Baltimore

TO KENDRA

Date: Wednesday, Apr/14/2004
Kendra…scroll down in these messages and find the one where I put those links to Cicada research. It will give you all the info you need. I have never heard of them flying in peoples hair, and I don’t think they get in your house. When they come up out of the ground, the climb the first vertical thing they see, and after that, they usually stick to the trees. The males die right after mating and the female is only set on laying her eggs in the branches of the trees. They DO NOT bite, so you shouldn’t be scared of them.
Hope this helps.
~Nikki~ Nikki, SW Ohio

do they fly in your hair

Date: Wednesday, Apr/14/2004
I heard that cicada’s fly in your hair, and that when you are walking you are going to step on them. I am 17 and I have never seen these bugs before. I am a little scared because I don’t know what to expect and I don’t like bugs.I would also like to know if they get in your house. kendra, upper marlboro MD

AH!!! AH!! AH!!

Date: Wednesday, Apr/14/2004
AH!!! AH!!! AH!!!!!!!! rini, phila pa

Cicada Research

Date: Wednesday, Apr/14/2004
Here is a helpful website. Cicadas due to emerge May 17th, go away end of June. Go here and get all the info you need.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/03/0329_040329_cicadas.html
and here is the map of where they are expected to emerge.
http://aolsvc.aol.com/research/cicada/cicada_map.htm
Enjoy them, they won’t be around too long. And their music is kinda romantic for picnics under the stars 🙂
~Nikki~ Nikki, SW Ohio

Yet another wedding…

Date: Wednesday, Apr/14/2004
Hi. Our outdoor wedding is planned for May 16th in Wheaton, MD. Any helpful tips????? Jessica Feierman, Wheaton, Maryland

Distraction

Date: Wednesday, Apr/14/2004
What are you stitching and toxic mold people doing on a cicada site? Or… are you really periodical cicadas trying to distract people so you don’t get CICADANATED? Droopy, Brush Creek Township

Gallery of finished cross stitch & needlepointing pieces

Date: Tuesday, Apr/13/2004
I found great stitching service on http://www.xstitched.com . They have really big gallery of finished pieces.
Have a look… Slavica, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Fungi / mold pictures

Date: Tuesday, Apr/13/2004
I found great toxic mold pictures on http://www.moldremoval.com . I had something similar in my house… Jenny Jenny, La Crescenta, CA, USA

Re: Coming to an area near me??

Date: Tuesday, Apr/13/2004
Teresa,
Yes, it looks like from the map that you will see an emergece this year down in Lexington. Ask some neighbors that lived in the area back in ’87 how heavy the emergence was. That is the best way to know for sure.Thx,
Roy Roy T, Batavia, OH

RE: Wedding planned for AshLawn in Charlottesville May 8

Date: Tuesday, Apr/13/2004
Rebecca,
From the Brood X map it looks like you are on the southern fringe of the emergence & you will probably miss the emergence by a week or two if the wedding is on May 8th. Your best bet is to ask locals that lived in the area in 1987. They could tell you how heavy the emergence was at the time.Hope this helps,
Roy T. Roy T, Batavia, OH

Replies / Question

Date: Monday, Apr/12/2004
I remember 17 years ago in the Baltimore area. It wasn’t unbearable. They were certainly everywhere but unless you were in the woods, you could avoid them. I also went to Ocean City that summer. Cicadas were no where to be found on the beach. (not enough trees and too much sand) However, does anyone know when they are expected to emerge? I have an outdoor party planned for May 1st (and now that I am an adult), I own a house with a few trees in the yard and I am trying to decide if I should just plan the thing for indoors….. Stacey, Bel Air, MD (north of Baltimore)

brood X on Eastern Shore, md

Date: Monday, Apr/12/2004
does anyone out there live in
Dorchester County, on the eastern
shore of Maryland? and if so, will
Brood X be visiting you the same as
the rest of Maryland? I’ve heard it’s
less concentrated on the shore.
thanks cheryl, hoopers island, Md

Early Risers

Date: Monday, Apr/12/2004
I saw two cicadas Saturday in my backyard. Newly out of the ground. It would have to be my yard they came up in first. In the billions, here they come! Nikki, Hamilton, Ohio

Terrified California Girl

Date: Sunday, Apr/11/2004
I am leaving town as soon as they hit; as ridiculous as it sounds this seems like the only alternative for someone who has an extreme phobia of all insects. Back to California I go. Would anyone like to charter a cicada flight? Laura, Baltimore, MD

Coming to an area near me??

Date: Sunday, Apr/11/2004
Hi all! (guess it should be y’all now) I was a sophomore at Withrow when the last invasion occurred in the Tri-state. After leaving Cinci for our military, I had long forgotten about these flying nuisances. This site lists Kentucky as being one of the invasion areas this year. Was the Lexington area invaded as well in 1987? Bugs don’t bother me too much, but these buzzing things get annoying! I seem to recall tons of female students screaming at the sight of them, that was hilarious to watch!
Just wondered if they’ll invade our area. Thanks in advance!
Teresa, Lexington, Ky

HELP !!!

Date: Saturday, Apr/10/2004
17 YEARS AGO WHEN THESE CREATURES INVADED I WAS PREGNANT WITH MY 1ST SON. HOW I SURVIVED, NOT A CLUE . 17 YEARS & 3 SONS LATER, I AM FREAKING OUT ABOUT THESE CREATURES REVISITING ! THERESA, HUNT VALLEY, MD

Wedding planned for AshLawn in Charlottesville May 8

Date: Saturday, Apr/10/2004
Can you tell me if Charlottesville is
in one of the main areas where we will
have a lot of cicadas and are we early
enough in May to miss them? Respond to JLFleck [AT] erols.com Rebecca Fleck, Charlottesville Virginia

Deb, please get your facts straight…

Date: Saturday, Apr/10/2004
Deb, the Eastern Cicada Killer is a native species and was not introduced 17 years ago from Aisa. Its main food is the large annual cicada species that come out every year, not periodical cicadas. I couldn’t find any reference to 2700 people being killed by Cicada Killers. I believe you may be thinking of the introduced European Hornet which has nothing to do with cicadas. John Z, Maryland

Fundraising in Columbia MD despite Brood X

Date: Friday, Apr/9/2004
Brian, I understand periodical cicadas only drown out Republicans. As long as your fundraiser isn’t Republican you’re safe. Everybody: the paper I write for is having a cicada recipe contest. Got any good ones? Can you point me to any good sites?Al Al McKegg, West Friendship

You think the cicada’s are bad?

Date: Friday, Apr/9/2004
Beware, though..17 years ago, an insect called the cicada killer (a large wasplike insect)was imported from Asia to deal with the infestation. When the cicada food supply triggered the mating cycle of the cicada killer, the “fix” grossly outweighed the problem. 2700 people were painfully killed by the cicada killer’s venom. Deb Eichenberger, Harrisburg

Cicada infestation

Date: Friday, Apr/9/2004
I’ve lived through this before. It is the most horrible experience you will ever live through. If anyone offers you any method to lessen the impact…take it. You have been warned. TB, Pennsylvania

Cicada Shirt

Date: Friday, Apr/9/2004
I found the site and bought a shirt as well.. are the cities on the other shirt going to get hit bad? Erin, Indiana

Cicada’s in Ocean City

Date: Thursday, Apr/8/2004
I am planning a trip to Ocean City Memorial Day weekend. Does anyone know how bad they are out there? and if they gravitate to water? I would appreciate the feedback. Simone, Baltimore, Maryland

Yuck

Date: Thursday, Apr/8/2004
The last time these insects were here,I was waiting for a bus on Harrison Avenue in Westwood, and one of the darned things flew up at me and got stuck between my eyes and my glasses. I was standing on the street totally freaking out, trying to get the thing off me and people were looking at me like I was nuts (probably a valid assumption). I’m 17 years older and wiser now but I am NOT looking forward to another Cicada invasion. Thankfully I no longer have to wait for a bus! 🙂 Liz, St. Bernard, Ohio

Pinkie

Date: Thursday, Apr/8/2004
To answer your question, yes. Hope I’ve been helpful. Rachelle, Flatland, OH

Re: Brood X in westchester?

Date: Thursday, Apr/8/2004
Jasper,
According to the brood map you live just north of the northern fringe of the Broox X emergence in the eastern coastal states. You may want to ask neighbors who have lived in your area for more than 17 years if they remember seeing any in 1987. hope this helps,
Roy T Roy T, Batavia, OH

cicada cuisine

Date: Wednesday, Apr/7/2004
Dear Chrystal Moonshine and others:
I’m a Washington Post reporter looking for recipes and any and all tales of cicada consumption. Pls email me at cicadawatch [AT] yahoo.com and bon appetit!
Cameron Barr, Washington, DC

CICADA GEAR

Date: Wednesday, Apr/7/2004
I just bought a shirt from WWW.CINCYCICADA.COM it is so funny. Check them out. The one I got reads..” CICADA Your Low Carb Alternative”
Many laughs from that one… Bill, Ohio

Brood X in westchester?

Date: Wednesday, Apr/7/2004
I was just wondering if this year’s 2004 brood x will be emerging in or around rye or westchester? Does anybody know a good place to see them? Jasper, rye,ny

NETTING to stop Cicadas

Date: Wednesday, Apr/7/2004
try the netting from this company! It really works! (Also has bird repellent products).http://birdbgone.com/ultranet.htm Anette, United States of America

Fear Not Billy!

Date: Tuesday, Apr/6/2004
Cicadas are the salt of the earth. If it helps I have a couple good recipes. Don’t fear the reaper!! Chrystal Moonshine, Haverford, North Carolina

I’m too young to die!!

Date: Tuesday, Apr/6/2004
I was hardly born when the last attack occured, but I do remember waking up with bugs everywhere. My parents were from New York and we slept with all the windows open. Needless to say I now understand the term “bed bugs.” I’m terrified to leave my house out of fear that they’ll rise early. I know it’s only April, but I’m already wearing my bee keeper suit everywhere. Forget about going swimming because those two-inchers will devour us all. I’m paralyzed with fear…I’m too young to die!!!! Billy Hughes, Bel Air, Maryland

CICADA GEAR

Date: Tuesday, Apr/6/2004
GET YOUR CICADA GEAR ONLINE [AT] www.cincycicada.com
DON’T WAIT ANOTHER 17 YEARS GET YOUR GEAR NOW!!!!! Dave, CINCINNATI, Ohio

To Rhodri Overseas

Date: Tuesday, Apr/6/2004
So you were in my class, huh? And who might you be? I can’t imagine anyone would want to make a special trip from “overseas” just to see “C-Cader” (husband’s new nickname for the wretched creatures)wreak havoc on the city. To each his own, I guess. If you happen to have a change of heart (about traveling), I’m sure my husband would be happy to ship you a few; God knows I won’t be going to the post office! I can’t promise the lil’ suckers will still be buzzing, but they will be anatomically intact. Just a thought. Lisa, Ft. Thomas, KY

Don’t worry Suzie, Loveland will have a “light” outbreak!

Date: Monday, Apr/5/2004
This message is for Suzie. I lived in Loveland for 28 years & I remember we had a light outbreak in 1987. I expect this year will be about the same. Really nothing to worry about. Anywhere WEST of Interstate 75 is where the heavier emergence will be located. I feel sorry for any bikers traveling on the roads during the last week of May till the second week of June. lol Roy T, Batavia, OH

Brood X Cicada

Date: Monday, Apr/5/2004
Does anyone know if this awful 17 year Group of Cicadas will be seen in Paymyra, Virginia. It’s a town about 50 miles west of Richmond Virgina. I’m new to the area.ThanksDenise Denise, Palmyra, Virginia

Cicada happenings

Date: Sunday, Apr/4/2004
I am an editor at a travel magazine, and am working on a piece about cicada events this summer, when the bugs are expected to storm the East Coast. Please e-mail me if you know of any festivals that will, at least, have cicada-related activities, food, etc. My address is hmorgan [AT] ngs.com. Many thanks. Heather, Washington, DC

Cicadas

Date: Sunday, Apr/4/2004
Can anyone tell me how boad it was here 17 years ago?? Willl they swarm only between May and June or do we have the swarming all summer??
I don’t know these critters, I am from germany. cornelia heckenbach, St.Michaels Maryland,Eastern Shore

HELP! New to Loveland Ohio

Date: Saturday, Apr/3/2004
I am new to Ohio and somewhat of a bug phobe…. I am freaking about this cicada invasion… how do you know if they are to be in your exact area????? I have been told that the Hot Spot is west of 71, but I am sure that they can come East of 71 too… HELP! Suzie, Loveland Ohio

netting

Date: Saturday, Apr/3/2004
anyone know where I can buy some 1/4″ nylon netting to cover up some of my trees? daryl, blanchester, oh

What’s in store…

Date: Saturday, Apr/3/2004
I live in Oxford OH and work in Hamilton OH…Not sure what to expect…I know Cincinnati is a target for mass quantity but was curious how being a little north/west would be effected….Anyone know??? Excitable, Butler County OH

Will Cicadas Be A Large Problem for Fundraising Run on June 13th in Maryland?

Date: Saturday, Apr/3/2004
We have been organizing a 5K run/walk fundraiser for June 13, 2004 in Maryland. I never considered the Cicadas. Ofcourse we are having in a dense park around a lake. I am hoping from I read that by June 13th it should be winding down. Is this correct? To boot, we are planning a huge picnic in this park to follow the event. Brian, Columbia, Maryland, USA

BEEKEEPER OUTFITS

Date: Friday, Apr/2/2004
I WOULD LIKE TO GET A BEEKEEPER OUTFIT, ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN PURCHASE ONE. ANGIE, CINCINNATI, OHIO

BEEKEEPER OUTFITS

Date: Friday, Apr/2/2004
I WOULD LIKE TO GET A BEEKEEPER OUTFIT, ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN PURCHASE ONE. ANGIE, CINCINNATI, OHIO

Cicada coming out to play

Date: Thursday, Apr/1/2004
This cicadamania site rules! also check me out at www.cicada2004.com soon!! Joe the Cicada, midwest

favorite

Date: Thursday, Apr/1/2004
About a dozen years ago I was visiting a friend in San Antonio, who is in the moving business. It was break time so the labor crew of Vietnamese came around under the shade of some Arizona Ash trees. Cicadas were thick in the trees. The noise was so loud it was hard to talk. The Vietnamese slipped off their sandals scampered up the trees and caught dozens of cicadas. Then they ate them. I guess they are the cream filled crunchy kind. Don Ainsworth, Houston, TX

Toads that sound like Cicadas

Date: Thursday, Apr/1/2004
At least two speices of toads sound similar to the “Decim” species of periodical cicada. The American Toad that sings in early spring (now in mid latitudes) sounds like Decim when there are large concentrations in the distance. The Fowler’s Toad that sings in late spring sounds like individual Decim up closer. Main difference is the toads don’t have a drop in pitch at the end of a call the way the cicadas do.
Eric, Missouri

Relatives

Date: Thursday, Apr/1/2004
I have been living in PG County for 35 years. Get ready people. If you don’t like bugs this is not the place for you. These beatles are known to be enduring. While they don’t live long they definitely leave an everlasting impression. Once you here their mating call you will never forget it. Swarmmming is not uncommon during their presence. Many people have been known to shout “Help” John Secada, PG County

upcoming invasion in cinti

Date: Thursday, Apr/1/2004
Seventeen years ago I resided in the Queen City and I remember them being pretty thick while attending the Taste which runs Memorial Day weekend. Anyone remember “Snappy Cicada Pizza”?
A buddy of mine who lives there said the latest projected peak is around May 17-20.
joebob59, S.E. PA

March 31, 2004

Cicada Comments from March 2004

Filed under: Brood X | Old Message Board — Dan @ 11:14 am

for PG Residents

Date: Wednesday, Mar/31/2004
I hate bugs. The cicada thing was AWFUL in DC. One got down my back and I almost pulled my blouse off on downtown K Street!However, in PG County, where I lived, they did not seem to be that bad. I don’t recall any getting in apartment or being particularly afraid outside. bughater, Temple Hills, MD

Bee Keeper Outfit (Plastic)

Date: Wednesday, Mar/31/2004
Where can you purchase Bee Keeper Outfits Vannett, Cincinnati, Ohio

Periodical Cicada Broods

Date: Tuesday, Mar/30/2004
We’ve got cicadas here every year (in fact this year they lasted through the mild winter we had).Does anyone know if the Houston area experiences a large scale cicada brood hatch? If so, what is the period (13 years, 17 years) and when is the next brood expected?Thanks! Chuck, Richmond, TX (near Houston) U.S.A.

Cicada Facts

Date: Monday, Mar/29/2004
Facts: The 17-year cicadas will emerge this year with their ugly red eyes. The adults live 2 to 6 weeks and are very clumsy flyers. So if one happens to land on you or fly into you it can’t help it.
The male cicada will be the only one singing its mating call for the females are totally silent.
Cicadas do not eat leaves, fruits, or vegetables. However what the adults do eat (or rather drink)is the juices inside of the branches of trees, etc… The females saw their way (using the back of their abdomen)into twigs and branches of trees and lay rows of eggs usually around 400. They lay the eggs in a line which will look like a slit of about 2 to 3 inches long on the branch. At about the time the males stop singing the egg infested twigs/branches will have died and fallen to the ground or the branch will just die. Then the eggs hatch and the cicada nymphs(babies) dig themselves into the ground where they live off of the tree’s root juices for the next 17 years and then it happens all over again. The nymphs do not cause any significant damage to the roots. It’s only when they emerge that the destruction is done.
Neverthelesss I hate these bugs, I can sympathize with Lisa from Kentucky for 17 years ago (when I was about thirteen) I was walking for the March of Dimes and a boy stuck one of these male monsters into my hair. While “rachelling” ( the term used to officially describe the noise these bugs make) it tried to fly out with no success. After screaming my lungs out someone finally took mercy on me and removed the insect from my then tangled hair. Later, I felt sort of sorry for the bugs when I saw the same boy catching them then pulling off their wings. JD, Maryland

Noises

Date: Monday, Mar/29/2004
My ex wife made funny noises and her name was Rachel.Does that mean she was rachelling ? Daryl, logan county

Pools

Date: Monday, Mar/29/2004
Rick: cicada have no interest in water, but they may fall into your pool if there are trees growing above it. You should be able to take care of the issue with a pool skimmer net, and a good sense of humor. Dan, Jersey

Should I delay opening my swimming pool?

Date: Monday, Mar/29/2004
Do they gravitate to water? I’d imagine that they end up there whether they intend to or not! Rick, Ellicott City

Location, Location

Date: Saturday, Mar/27/2004
Does anyone in Indy remember the X brood here??? I am curious as to where I may take my kids to see and hear this historic event. Thanks for any info, Kim. Kim, Indianapolis IN

Yuck

Date: Saturday, Mar/27/2004
I work outside and i am really not looking forward to this. Any ideas for some sort of cicada suit or something to wear that is lightweight and breathable? I cant stand the thought of them sticking to me while i am watering or unloading trucks….yuck B, Cincinnati

Nasty little creatures

Date: Thursday, Mar/25/2004
Last year I spotted one or two of what appeared to be these nasty creatures. I figured it was a premature sign of things to come. How long will it last? I don’t plan to leave my house until they’re all gone!!!! Margie, Baltimore

Help for Those Who are Afraid

Date: Thursday, Mar/25/2004
When I moved to the Washington area 17 years ago and saw the cicadas, I was lucky to have been living in Lorton, VA, where there weren’t as many flying around as compared to the District. But I SWORE I that would rather find another job (or some out-of-town assigment) than to get caught in the middle of the next infestation. But alias, I am still here, 17 years older (middle-aged), now married (so I can’t leave), unable to run as fast as I used to, and only 15 mintues from DC, and therefore, much closer to the ‘zone.’ I’m in a lot of trouble: if I don’t get myself killed trying to run from them (or wreak my car should one be inside), I will most likely develop vascular problems from weeks of constant stress and anxiety. I can only ask that those who are not frightened of them, please have some passion and understanding for those who do. It is an irrational fear, but a fear nevertheless (ususally brought on by an emotional event or trauma.) (Everyone has fears; this one is just more difficult to hide.) I’ve worked on my problem for years (including therapy 22 years ago), so I haven’t been just complaining or feeling sorry for myself. Progress has been quite slow, but steady. (I can now garden but still have a generalized fear of large flying, mostly stinging insects.) I think that reading and learning about their habits will help in some small way, but not enough, I’m afraid, to deal with what’s to come because there will be so many of them. If there is anyone out there willing to share how they’ve resolved their phobia (short of flooding), please do so. You will be helping a lot of folks, including those too afraid to speak up. I also have a couple of questions about the habits of cacidas: Do they fly around in the dark, and do they favor any particular flowering or vegetable plant? (I may decide to skip the gardening this year.) Thanks. Chay, Prince Georges County ,MD

1998 cicadas in Tennessee

Date: Thursday, Mar/25/2004
Dick – Yes and no — the ones in Tennessee in 1998 were the 13-year species (Brood XIX). Also, this year’s brood will mostly appear in different locations in Tennessee, not the same places as in 1998. Dave Marshall, Storrs, Connecticut

sound

Date: Thursday, Mar/25/2004
The scientific sound of the cicada is termed “Rachelling”. Buzz, Cin

name of circadia’s sound

Date: Thursday, Mar/25/2004
does anyone know the scientific term applied to the sound the circadia makes? dennis, poughkeepsie ,ny

Say It Ain’t So

Date: Wednesday, Mar/24/2004
guess what sucks? I have no a/c in my car. so not only will those gross, retarded bugs be flying into me, I also will be sweating to death in my car on the way to work. I hate bugs, and they hate me. I was six the last time they were here in abundance, and can’t remember how bad they actually were. I’m in denial right now, and pray every day they won’t rise from the ground. I’ve always wanted to know what it’s like to be in a sci-fi movie, though. I’m so lucky. Julie, Cincinnati

cicadas

Date: Wednesday, Mar/24/2004
Is it possible that we saw the same bugs in Tenn. in 1998? Dick, Grand Rapids, Mi.

Flight

Date: Wednesday, Mar/24/2004
How far do cicadas fly? Laura, Fremont, Michigan

Those Creepy Critters

Date: Wednesday, Mar/24/2004
I am terribly afraid of all insects. Please make them go away. Cynthia B, Prince George County -Forestville

Wouldn’t want to miss it

Date: Wednesday, Mar/24/2004
Am thinking of planning a trip home to coincide with the Cicadas in Cincinnati this summer. Has anyone nailed down the exact dates that they are supposed to start and peak?By the way, responding to Lisa (previous message), I’m thinking you are probably class of ’88, Highlands? Me too. I’ve got some bad memories as well, particularly from my lawn-mowing summer job (the engine noise really got them interested), but I just couldn’t bear to miss the spectacle. Especially when I think about how old I’ll be next time… Rhodri, overseas

Terrified of Cicadas

Date: Wednesday, Mar/24/2004
I’m 34 years old and I’m embarrassed to say … I’m terrified of Cicadas. While I am somewhat of a bug-phobe, it’s never forced me to stay indoors. I am, however, planning on converting to hermit status mid-May to late June. Don’t know how I’m going to do it, just that I am. Many of you are probably wondering what caused this fear, so let me share. I was 17 years old and taking driver’s ed at my high school. It just happened to be my turn to drive – with 4 other classmates and a teacher, mind you – when, all of a sudden, Larry Riley stuck two cicadas in my long hair. As I was driving, one of the little suckers crawled into my ear opening and screamed. Needless to say, I swerved the car and nearly killed everyone aboard. I recall throwing the car into park, jumping out of the car and running, running, running … as far and as fast as I could. I’m happy to report that Larry Riley got detention that day! I, on the other hand, have never recovered, as you can see. I’m considering buying a bee keeper’s suit for those times when I absolutely have to show my face to the world. Fortunately, I’m laid off right now! Any suggestions? My husband and I live in a condominium overlooking Cincinnati with woods all around us. They’re going to be everywhere – and I mean everywhere! Lisa, Ft. Thomas, KY

opening swimming pools

Date: Tuesday, Mar/23/2004
when would it be a good time to open the swimming pool. should we wait until mid June? mike, cincinnati

Protection from Cicada

Date: Tuesday, Mar/23/2004
I have planted small pines and some birch trees in the last week. Should I spray these trees. What can I do to protect them. Barb, Nashville TN

broods

Date: Tuesday, Mar/23/2004
What is a brood and how many broods are there? Cait, U.S.

How will gardens weather?

Date: Tuesday, Mar/23/2004
will they eat our tomatoe plants,squash
greenbeans,onions,lettuce you get the idea. Does anybody know Thanks- Christy Christy, Springfield, Virginia

My tree not there anymore..

Date: Tuesday, Mar/23/2004
What happens if I had my huge maple tree in my front yard cut down that was there 17 years ago????? Marsha, Kentucky

Yes, you can work outside

Date: Tuesday, Mar/23/2004
No matter how big the cicada event, anyone should be able to work (or do anything else) outside.The biggest danger is if you’re on a ladder or roof and a cicada suddenly gives a distress screech near you. This is quite startling and it’s possible to fall off if you recoil in fright at the sudden noise and sight. Be prepared not to be surprised by sudden distressed cicadas.There’s also the slight surprise of an occasional cicada crawling on you. This shouldn’t be a problem to anyone who doesn’t have a huge phobia of insects.
Eric, Missouri

To Christy in Maryland

Date: Tuesday, Mar/23/2004
Christy, if the 17-year cicada emergence is a “once in a life time thing”, and you were 6 years old last time, guess what? You are going to die, “cause you had your “once”. Sky, Mason

Bugs is good to feast on..i reckon

Date: Monday, Mar/22/2004
I eated many a bug in ma life. But the cicadda is da best to chew and chew ,,oh yea i had tummy ache 2 days oh yea, I reckin all da bugs is good though kentucky lost yeserday to UAB Troy Vespie, Amelia Ohio

Can i work outside

Date: Monday, Mar/22/2004
Can anyone tell me please is it going to be possible to work on the constraction and to do framing job in May or June. Sergei, Cincinnati, Ohio

Cicadas

Date: Sunday, Mar/21/2004
In my last messege I had some typos and or misspelled words. I actuallt ment to say, to make it clear as these cicadas do not bite or sting. I hope you all don’t get to confused by may last messege and read this one instead. Christy, Maryland

I Can’t wait till these once in a life time flying noisy bugs arrive

Date: Sunday, Mar/21/2004
Hey everyone, I came to this website before, because I was looking for cicadia sounds on the internet. I came accrose this site instead. Well bottom line is I was 6years old when they came out of the groud flying and buzzing about. I remember it well. I was over my grandparaents house when i had just got back from visiting Ghettesburg. I look forward to seeing thse bugs as it is once in a life time thing. Thse bugs to not sting now bite. They will cause a horrible time with yard plants. However as for myself I’am not a bug type person as I don’t like bees, spiders, or creepy crawley things. Well this is all for me. Just wanted to leave my mark. Christy, Maryland

Magicicada’s

Date: Friday, Mar/19/2004
Hi, i see your expecting a mass emergence of Magicicada’s. I was hoping that someone there may be able to collect me some and send them on to me here in New Zealand. Or if someone is keen to swap your American species for our New Zealand species.
you can message me at nzcicada [AT] hotmail.com Kees Green, Auckland, New Zealand

For goodness sakes

Date: Thursday, Mar/18/2004
Mia,Do not let anyone play to your fears (or their pocketbooks) . The cicada is a harmless insect. They may cause some minor tree or bush damage, but basically they are just out to reproduce. They do not attack in a sworm, nor do they go out of the way to attack anyone. These neat bugs can be an inconveniece because they are terrible flyers and may bump into you, however, they mean no harm and do not bite…. I hope I have helped…
Klamarr2, Indy, Indiana

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58972-2004Mar14.html

Date: Thursday, Mar/18/2004

washingtonpost.com > Metro > Virginia

Metro
In Brief
Monday, March 15, 2004; Page B03
THE REGION Infestation of Brood X Cicadas Forecast Millions of cicadas are expected to infest the nation’s capital and parts of Maryland and Virginia this spring. Periodical cicadas, who’ve been underground for 17 years, will tunnel out of the ground, fling their winged bodies through the air and sound off day and night. Bug experts say their coming will be of biblical proportions.

Some cicadas emerge annually in the eastern United States. Others come out every two to 13 years. But this variety, known as Brood X, invades every 17 years. The last time they covered the Washington area was in 1987, when remnants of cicadas covered roadways and sidewalks. Residents pulled them out of their hair. And the bugs drove some outdoor events, such as weddings and graduations, inside. When exactly they emerge will depend on the weather. The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History is planning a cicada exhibit in May, complete with sounds and live specimens.

� 2004 The Washington Post Company
Rusty Kochka, Arlington, Virginia

Temperature

Date: Thursday, Mar/18/2004
Thanks Eric for the formula. I remember now that “my” formula was something like T = x(n-y)+ z, where x, y and z were some arbitrary constants. The resulting temperature T was in Centigrade. Maybe that explains the structural difference in the formulae. Ajit, Knoxville, TN

Help!

Date: Thursday, Mar/18/2004
My son is very afraid of flying insects. He would run out in front of a speeding car before he let one get close to him. I have been trying to find some kind of repellent or something for him since he has to walk to school. I don’t think the school will allow me to home school him for 6 weeks. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Lear, Cincinnati,OH

cicadas

Date: Wednesday, Mar/17/2004
I live in prince george county MD.DO cicadas stick to you threw your clothing,about how big will they be and do they sworm you? mia, prince george countyMD

cicadas

Date: Wednesday, Mar/17/2004
I live in prince george county MD.DO cicadas stick to you threw your clothing,about how big will they be and do they sworm you? mia, prince george countyMD

May 22nd, wedding

Date: Wednesday, Mar/17/2004
I am getting married on May 22nd, 2004, which is in 10 weeks, Its planned as an outdoor wedding. How bad will the cicadas be, is it wirth it to change the wedding. I read in the paper that Williamson and Davidson Counties, which is where the wedding will be will not get hit as hard as others in Tennessee. How does that work? ANy answered questions will really help me and my angered/frustrated fiancee. Thanks
Greg Greg, Nashville, TN, Williamson County

Bob from London, England

Date: Tuesday, Mar/16/2004
Hey, I was looking up info on the England cicada on the web and came accross this posting (below). If “Bob” is still out there could you please tell me where you heard/saw these cicadas? Was it in England, or were you overseas? My email is cicada900 [AT] yahoo.com.au
Thanks…Date: Tuesday, May/28/2002
i saw all these cicadas and they f***ing rule!!! tssss tssss tssss tssss tssss tssss tssss tssss tssss they went! YO! — Bob, England, London Kathy Hill, Willimantic, CT

say it aint so

Date: Tuesday, Mar/16/2004
This isn’t really happening — right? Say it ain’t so… I don’t do bugs… not liking life, Silver Spring, MD

To Christy Eicher

Date: Tuesday, Mar/16/2004

Christy, I personally would not plan a wedding outdoors at that time. However, I’d suggest contacting them, and find out if there was someone that was there 17 years ago. If so, maybe they will be able to tell you if that area had much infestation.Good luck and congrats! Jules
Jules, Louisville, KY

say it aint so

Date: Tuesday, Mar/16/2004
This isn’t really happening — right? Say it ain’t so… I don’t do bugs… not liking life, Silver Spring, MD

To Christy Eicher

Date: Tuesday, Mar/16/2004

Christy, I personally would not plan a wedding outdoors at that time. However, I’d suggest contacting them, and find out if there was someone that was there 17 years ago. If so, maybe they will be able to tell you if that area had much infestation.Good luck and congrats! Jules
Jules, Louisville, KY

Swimming Pools?

Date: Tuesday, Mar/16/2004
A few of us over at www.poolforum.com were wondering if the Cicada will have any effect on our pools?If they are gone by mid-June, should we leave our pools covered and wait until after they are gone to open the pool for the season?Thanks for any info you can give! Jules Jules, Louisville, KY

New to cicadas!

Date: Tuesday, Mar/16/2004
Does anyone know if the cicadas will be bad in the Stafford/Fredericksburg area? We just moved here and bought our home! (of course!) WHat do we need to do to protect our property, landscaping, etc.? I’m a bit nervous about this outbreak. Jennifer, Stafford, VA

Noisiest Insect

Date: Tuesday, Mar/16/2004
While looking up the temperature formula, saw the next question: what is considered the noisiest insect? “The Cicadas are usually considered the noisiest, but it has been said that the European Cricket (Brachytrypes megacephalus) is louder still and that its note can be heard a mile away”.I’ve been around periodical cicadas and cannot imagine anything louder. The Cassini are almost deafening, and they synchronize their calls to make themselves even louder. The Decim “Martian” call, when in large concentrations, must be audible for at least a mile.
Eric, Missouri

Formula for Temperature

Date: Tuesday, Mar/16/2004
The Katydid formula seems to work, though it suggests they don’t sing below 53 degrees, and I believe I’ve heard them on colder evenings (their call is _really_ slow when it’s cold). In my area the Katydids usually start in early July, when it’s usually so hot, the chirps are too fast to count!As to Cicadas, there’s such a variety of calls, one might need a different formula for each species.
From _1001 Questions Answered About Insects_:Count the number of chirps in a minute, represented by the letter “n” below.For the Katydid (Cryptophyllus perspicalis):T = 60 + ((n-19) / 3)For the Snowy Tree Cricket (Oecanthus niveus):T = 50 + ((n-40) / 2)T is the temperature in Farenheit.
Eric, Missouri

Anyone know how bad this can get????

Date: Tuesday, Mar/16/2004
Anyone know how bad this can get in Baltimore, MD I am moving [AT] the end of May and this is the first time I will ever experience any thing like this…. Please shed some light on this! Thank You! R, Baltimore,MD

Tennessee

Date: Monday, Mar/15/2004
Anyone know the likely timing for the emergence in Tenn? I had planned to go camping there the last week in April & they just aren’t my favorite camping companions. Plus we don’t want to move them around on our truck – the old invasive species thing. Meg, Ellicott City MD

Will they ruin my wedding (at Farnsley Moreman Landing, Louisville, KY)?

Date: Monday, Mar/15/2004
Anyone know if the Cicadas are likely to be in Louisville, KY? More specifically, at Farnsley-Moreman Landing…10 mins southwest of Louisville, on the waterfront? I’m getting married there June 5th. Christy Eicher, Louisville, KY

Cicadas and ambient temperature

Date: Monday, Mar/15/2004
To Eric in Missouri,
So what is the mathematical formula for the katydids anyway? It might just jog my memory. Have you ever tried it for Cicadas? Ajit, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

reply

Date: Monday, Mar/15/2004
a PROMINANT WEBSITE STATES THAT CICADA WILL NOT DAMAGE TREES OR PLANTS. IS THIS TRUE? IF NOT, WHAT PROTECTION SHOULD i PROVIDE IN mARYLAND? SHOULD I WAIT UNTIL AFTER TO PLANT NEW SHRUBS? ALICE — ALICE, ANNAPOLIS MARYLAND2/4ths of an inch is the distance you have to move your finger to the caps lock key! mirek, chicago il

Stop The Cicada!

Date: Monday, Mar/15/2004
We Must Put A Stop to the Cicada!!!! on 5 – 1 – 04 we will all Get Together A Build A giant Flame Thrower. Kill Them All!! Before They can start to take over the world.when They begin to come out the ground thats when we start Ed, Baltimore County, MD

Are they coming here this year

Date: Sunday, Mar/14/2004
I need to know if the bugs are coming here this year.Please let me know. Dawn, Charleroi Pa.

Motorcycle Downtime

Date: Sunday, Mar/14/2004
Has anyone ever hit a cicada doing 45-50 miles per hour? It sucks. Feels like a big rock thrown up by a truck in front of you…..smmaaack. I don’t have a windshield, and I’m just bummed because I won’t be able to ride from the middle of April to the middle of May without worrying about knocking one of my eyes out when they hit my sunglasses and implode the lenses. Splaaat!! Michelle D., Cincinnati, OH

When did the cicadas swarm in the 1950-1960’s?

Date: Saturday, Mar/13/2004
I’m trying to remember how old I was when cicadas swarmed here in southern Virginia, and my evil older cousins made me stand still while they “hooked” the shells all over me! I was born in 1954 and I figure it was sometime in the late 50’s or early 60’s. Anybody know? (thanks!) Katie, Henry County, VA

Several things about Cicadas

Date: Saturday, Mar/13/2004
The host of a radio garden show made ignorant remarks today about Cicadas. He claimed 2004 has a convergence of 17 and 13 year classes, that they’d emerge around Quincy, IL (a small green patch on the UM page), and that they damage trees. A guest politely explained that trees have strong immune systems and the best way to handle Cicadas is to let Nature take its course, and that their holes are beneficial, aerating the ground.I’m probably going to south central Indiana the second weekend of June in search of cicadas. Anyone who hears them in that part of the country, please post when you hear them.I have an insect book that gives the mathematical formula for the temperature based on the frequency of Katydid songs, but not for Cicadas. The book has an amusing poem about Cicadas, obviously written a long time ago before “political correctness” set in:”Happy are the Cicadas’ lives,
For they live with voiceless wives!”
Eric, SE Missouri

Memories of last emergence

Date: Saturday, Mar/13/2004
I lived in Cincinnati the last time they emerged — we created an exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History all about them. I don’t know what was more amazing — seeing and hearing them everywhere, or watching the insectaphobic people freak out about these harmless creatures. I can still remember walking down Ludlow Ave. with cicadas flying everywhere, landing on people, crunching them underfoot (it was impossible not to). We had to keep the car windows rolled up on the highway in some areas because the sound was so deafening!If you’re freaking out already about the coming emergence, let me reiterate: CICADAS DO NOT BITE OR STING. THEY ARE HARMLESS. PLEASE DO NOT tax our already overloaded environment by trying to SPRAY POISONS to kill them — it’s pointless, there will be too many off them, and you’ll only wind up polluting the streams and rivers (due to runoff) and poisoning songbirds, cats, dogs, and other creatures who will be eating the cicadas. Chill out people! Roberta Burnes, Lexington, KY

you’ve been fooled

Date: Saturday, Mar/13/2004
there is no such thing as a cicadanotor. i bet it if you find it, it will be a very expensive fly swatter, available by mail order only. some one is trying to make a buck out of this hysteria! i lived in baltimore, in 1970, and lived thru the spring. yes, its unpleasant, but it doesnt last long. just keep your car windows up! michele, charlotte nc

DAMAGE AND PREVENTION

Date: Saturday, Mar/13/2004
a PROMINANT WEBSITE STATES THAT CICADA WILL NOT DAMAGE TREES OR PLANTS. IS THIS TRUE? IF NOT, WHAT PROTECTION SHOULD i PROVIDE IN mARYLAND? SHOULD I WAIT UNTIL AFTER TO PLANT NEW SHRUBS? ALICE ALICE, ANNAPOLIS MARYLAND

Rarotongan cicadas??

Date: Saturday, Mar/13/2004
Does anyone no if there are cicadas in Rarotonga, you can message me at nzcicada [AT] hotmail.com Kees Green, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand

WILL THEY BE IN THE ALEXANDRIA VA

Date: Friday, Mar/12/2004
JUST WONDERING IF THEY WILL BE IN ALEXANDRIA VA AREA?? JANINE, ALEXANDRIA VIRGINIA

NJ Cicada Schedule

Date: Friday, Mar/12/2004
Your Chart Says NJ is 1970, 1987, 2004. I grew up in a town in EssexCounty NJ. I Know we were swarmed in 1978. They were coming in our fireplace like a bad sci-fi movie. !
Is there any steadfast rule to 17 year cycle or are anomilies in schedule normal? Ralph, Maplewood, NJ

First Cicadas showing up

Date: Friday, Mar/12/2004
During the last week I have seen two early risers. Not long before they will be everywhere.Interesting note:
You can tell the temperature outside in Texas from the singing of Cicadas.They all sing at one time together when the temperature hits 78 degrees, 86 degrees, 94 degrees, and at 102 degrees. This is fairly consistent. They are loudest at the 78 degree and 94 degree marks. John, Houston, TX

can’t wait

Date: Friday, Mar/12/2004
this is going to be cool. cept there has been so much building in Maryland, i bet lots of them will not be able to emerge. gary, montgomery village maryland

Eaten Alive

Date: Friday, Mar/12/2004
I was told a story about a man that died in 1987 while mowing his grass during an infestation period. Apparently, these bugs overtook him and while trying to drive his John Deere mower to safety, he inadvertently swallowed about 30 of them. An autopsy performed later showed that the bugs were still alive in his throat cavity and where feeding on the chewing tobacco that he had in his mouth. (true story) Amber, Georgia

Cicada spotting circa 1963

Date: Friday, Mar/12/2004
Madison, NJ was the ground zero of a cicada happening. I was a high school kid and when changing classes, had to put coats over our heads to avoid being covered with the 3 inch bugs. And they would die in big piles and smell really bad. they don’t bite, but they get all over you, smell bad and the noise never stops…Run to your home! Peg, Georgia

Baltimore, Cicadas

Date: Friday, Mar/12/2004
I was in the Baltimore suburbs in 1987 and the cicadas were everywhere. I remember them so vividly because I was just visiting from New York,where we don’t get them. Tmac, Connecticut

Cicadas Are Comin’!

Date: Thursday, Mar/11/2004
They are suppose to start emerging in May around the 21st and only be around six weeks. So for the Bride worried, I wouldn’t be. 🙂 They are harmless bugs, they stay predominately in trees, and on grass. The West side is supose to be heavily hit. Don’t freak out it’s only six weeks. 🙂 I’m not even native here in Cincinnati, and I can’t wait for them to come up! This is going to be cool!
Mary, Cincinnati-East Side

Cicadas and ambient temperature

Date: Wednesday, Mar/10/2004
When I was a kid, an Uncle had given me a simple formula for determining the ambient temperature of the moment by counting the number of cicada chirps per minute. The formula was wonderfully accurate, for I used to verify it from the thermometer hanging in the porch. I can’t remember the formula now. Does anyone know of such a thing? Ajit, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

HELP HELP HELP!!!

Date: Sunday, Mar/7/2004
I HATE BUGS! OH MY GOSH! THIS IS SO GROSS! HELP ME! HELP ME! HELP ME! HELP ME!, READING, PA

FISHING

Date: Saturday, Mar/6/2004
I HAVE LIVED IN THE WASHINGTON AREA MY WHOLE LIFE & I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THEM EVER SINCE I WAS A LITTLE KID!!!
I LOVED TO FISH & WOULD LIKE TO TIME MY VACATION THE SAME TIME THEY WILL BE IN MY AREA.SO WHAT TIME,WEEK, MOUTH, WILL THEY BE HERE?????(I WILL CATCH ALL THE STATE RECORDS WITH THIS PERFECT BAIT!) EMILE DOLEZAL, BETHESDA MARYLAND MO

can cicadas see?

Date: Saturday, Mar/6/2004
Another teacher in my building told her students that cicadas are blind which accounts for them running into everything (and everyONE) in sight. I told the student who asked me about this that I thought they could see….their eyes are surely BIG enough but would search the net for reliable information!
BTW…your site is fantastic!
kinderteacher Kinderteacher, Cincinnati, OH, USA

Cicada summer?

Date: Saturday, Mar/6/2004
Will someone PLEASE tell me when these cicadas are supposed to take over? This summer? Where specifically? I don’t want them to attack my August wedding reception. Thank you, concerned bride Lisa, Millersburg, OH

Vineyard

Date: Thursday, Mar/4/2004
How might one deal with them attempting to eat the grapevine leaves? lynne, darlington, MD, USA

cicadas at the shore

Date: Wednesday, Mar/3/2004
I’m planning a trip to the Maryland Shore(Ocean City) in June. Will cicadas be found there as well?
If so, I may need to cancel. The flies are bad enough! susie, Maryland

When exactly are the expected

Date: Wednesday, Mar/3/2004
Would really like to know when the cicada’s are expected this summer in Ohio as I am trying to plan a summer outdoor wedding for my daughter. was thinking of either late May or August. Any idea which would be better? Vickie, Trenton, oh

sounds of cicadas

Date: Tuesday, Mar/2/2004
I”ve only lived here for 2 years.I’ve been hearing awful stories about these animals.I admit I”m scared.I want to know if anyone knows of a sight to hear there sounds.They say were being invaded with 5 billion this year.Help what are these creatures? What purpose do they serve? stacy parker, kentucky

February 28, 2004

Cicada Comments from February 2004

Filed under: Old Message Board — Dan @ 11:11 am

Just a little question…

Date: Sunday, Feb/29/2004
Are there a lot of cicadas on Dale hollow lake because I am due to go for a senior trip in the beginning and was wondering if the cicadas would be there bad and ruin my time. So if anyone has any information please contact me at Froggy231524 [AT] aol.com thanks very much!!! Chelsea , Ohio

WHERE

Date: Sunday, Feb/29/2004
WHERE CAN I FIND THESE THINGS THEY LOOK REALLY COOL I ALWAYS NEEDED SOMETHING TO KILL THEM!? Matt, Cincinnati OH

Cicadas due in Maryland in May/June 2004

Date: Friday, Feb/6/2004
Just to remind everyone that the cicadas will be in Maryland this year (2004), emerging sometime in May and lasting through June.I do not recall the last time they were here (in 1987) because I was living in Florida…but I was here the time before (in 1970) and I can remember them being ALL OVER the place.I confess that I am a little nervous about this invasion, and would consider leaving for a month, but my son is graduating this year…and of course it is in May and of course the ceremony is outdoors (rain or shine) ARGGGHHH!!! Debi, Howard county, Maryland, USA

January 31, 2004

Cicada Comments from January 2004

Filed under: Old Message Board — Dan @ 11:10 am

how do cicadas get underground?

Date: Tuesday, Jan/27/2004
I was told that cicadas live underground for 17 years then emerge only to reproduce. Then: How deep in the earth do they go? and how do they do this? Maia Gil’Adi, Washington D.C.

Ugly Little Buggers

Date: Tuesday, Jan/20/2004
I’m not looking forward to hearing their noise… or seeing their shells.. or watching them crawl.. not at all.. I hate their sound, their feet, their wings.. the ugly little things..Go away.. go away.. come again.. some other day! Avis, Baltimore MD

dathaoheocon [AT] yahoo.com

Date: Sunday, Jan/18/2004
cho chau hoi chu ve di dau vao mua nay a . Chau rat thich kham pha nhung chu ve . dathao, vungtau

Cicadas…

Date: Tuesday, Jan/13/2004
Why oh why did I ever move to the midwest? I will experience my first cicada swarm season this year.Oh, and whoever said there weren’t cicadas in Texas: I lived in San Antonio for three years and would beg to differ… Dang things kept me awake at night during the summer. TJ, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Love your site, From London Ontario www.OntarioLondon.com

Date: Saturday, Jan/10/2004
Love your site keep up the good work!
P.S London Ontario Site www.OntarioLondon.com
Classifieds, Personals, chat and more. Rick, London Ontario Canada

Love the site www.OntarioLondon.com

Date: Saturday, Jan/10/2004
Love your site keep up the good work!
P.S London Ontario Site www.OntarioLondon.com
Classifieds, Personals, chat and more. Rick, London Ontario

*

Date: Friday, Jan/9/2004
I linked this site too Natko Prosenikliev, Croatia

My cicada house

Date: Friday, Jan/9/2004
I love them. I have them all arround a house, my summer house. I have even named my house Cicada house on www.tisnotour.com Natko Prosenikliev, Croatia

December 31, 2003

Cicada Comments from December 2003

Filed under: Old Message Board — Dan @ 11:08 am

Cicada

Date: Saturday, Dec/27/2003
Late May 1970 … traveling on Interstate 74 (on the way to Indianapolis) several miles west of Porkopolis, aka Cincinnati, I encountered a Cicada swarm of huge proportion. The windshield oozed with Cicada drippings, the wipers failed, traction was lost and the car skidded, then spun out on the Cicada road slime into a mammoth pile of Cicada debris that had been plowed from the pavement by a Hamilton County Workhouse Cicada Control Unit. Fortunately I had enough beer to last until another Cicada Control road crew could dig me out. It will soon be Year of the Cicada 2004 ….. drive carefully. Taras Bulba, Southern Ohio

None in Wales – I Think

Date: Saturday, Dec/27/2003
In July/August 2002 we spent 4 wks on holiday on a caravan site in Tuscany, Italy.The whole time we were there, during when the sun was shining, we were subjected to the incessant noise these creatures make. I’ve only today discovered what they are. I’m very thankful we have none in Wales or the UK. Or if we have any, they are the quiet variety. Jeff, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK

I’m scared

Date: Thursday, Dec/25/2003
Just thought I’d be the first to put up a message about Brood X before the anticipated 2004 breed, very interesting site. Sausweet, Baltimore MD

DC Invasion!?

Date: Monday, Dec/8/2003
Can someone give me the dates when these wretched things will be invading DC / MD area again and how far (geographically) their invasion reaches? I need to know how far away to move to avoid seeing them! Ben, DC

What weeks will they be here next year?

Date: Saturday, Dec/6/2003
What weeks will Brood 10 (The Washington DC area cicadas) be here in 2004? Patty, Northern Virginia

Lotsand lots of cicadas

Date: Thursday, Dec/4/2003
Here where I live we have so many cicadas on a really hot day the song of theres can get really annoying. My sister collects cicadas and she has apretty good collection. Danni, Melbourne, Australia

November 30, 2003

Cicada Comments from November 2003

Filed under: Old Message Board — Dan @ 11:06 am

cicada noise for Cristean Aust

Date: Sunday, Nov/30/2003
move to texas they havent got them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guns galore, Texas

Swapping cicadas

Date: Friday, Nov/28/2003
Hi i was just wondering if there is anyone out there from Asia who would like to swap cicadas for New Zealand species.
Of course anyone else from other countries as well who is interested could also leave me a message at nzcicada [AT] hotmail.com thanks
Kees Green, Auckland, New Zealand

Cicada Brood X

Date: Monday, Nov/17/2003
My boys age 5 and 7 are interested in taking our 2004 vacation to a state that is having a Cicada emergence in May of 2004.We want to experience seeing and hearing all those Cicadas. We do not have them in the Northwest.Any good suggestions of where we should go for the best emergence possible? Thank you, Deanna Russell at
deannar [AT] eocwa.com Deanna Russell, Vancouver, Washington

Cicadas in Maryland

Date: Monday, Nov/17/2003
I am just learning about these little creatures. Do these cicadas really have biblical significance? I read that the word cicada is not mentioned in the Bible unlike locust and grasshopper which appear repeatedly. Also, does anyone know when the cicadas are to appear in the D.C. metropolitan area? I live in Prince George’s County, MD. Kristen, PG County MD

entomologists?

Date: Thursday, Nov/13/2003
Just finishing up an undergrad entomology degree at Ohio State… was wondering if anybody here does research on cicadas? Aaron, Columbus, OH

Latest Cicada of season?

Date: Wednesday, Nov/5/2003
What is the latest day of the year you’ve seen/heard a live Cicada “in the wild” ?This year I heard one on November 3, the latest I can remember. It was warm and other insects were still active (Katydids, Preying Manti, Grasshoppers, etc). He sang in a bottomland forest near a river in the evening. His call was steady in pitch. Now it’s freezing so I don’t expect to hear Cicadas until next year.
Eric, East Central Missouri

Life Histories

Date: Wednesday, Nov/5/2003
I am beginning to collect life history data on cicadas. Right now I need information on Diceroprocta bibbyi, D. canescens, D. cinctifera, D. eugraphica Okanagodes terlingus, Tibicen chisoensis, T, druryi, T. Inauditus, and T. townsendi. johnne [AT] netjava.com Wes Phillips, Fritch, Texas

Philosophical Cicadas

Date: Monday, Nov/3/2003
Does anyone know which species of cicada live in Athens (to which Socrates refers in Plato’s Phaedrus simply as ‘tettix’), or where I might find this precise information? I hope someone out there can point me in the right direction. Thank you for your help.
James, CA

cicada sighting

Date: Sunday, Nov/2/2003
i saw cicada in the school play ground and two cicada shells and two cicadas no the tree near the ice cream shop sami, toronto, ont

October 31, 2003

Cicada Comments from October 2003

Filed under: Old Message Board — Dan @ 11:05 am

NZ Cicadas starting to emerge

Date: Sunday, Oct/26/2003
I just thought I would let you guys no that the cicadas are starting to emerge here in New Zealand. So far i have caught Rhodopsalta leptomera, Kikihia muta aotea, Notopsalta sericea and have heard Kikihia cutora cutora, ochrina and i believe dugdalei. Kees Green, New Zealand

Cicadas and insect classes

Date: Wednesday, Oct/22/2003
I have not done any serious collecting this summer, but last weekend I taught the section on Insects for the Master Naturalists in Amarillo. I included 40 species of Cicadas when I talked about diversity in insects. Tibicen superba the Superb Cicada seemed out in abundance this summer in Borger, as every tree had two or three in it. Tibicen dorsata – the Grand Western Cicada was also out, but in smaller numbers.I need cicada specimens from the West. Anyone willing to trade? johnne [AT] netjava.com. Wes Phillips, Fritch, Texas USA

Help with identification of this Cicada

Date: Monday, Oct/6/2003
I need help to identify a Cicada. (I have a photo). It was found in south eastern Amazonia near Tucurui on the River Tocantins. Liza Maria Veiga, Belem. Para State, Amazonia, Brazil

September 30, 2003

Cicada Comments from September 2003

Filed under: Old Message Board — Dan @ 11:03 am

How many species?

Date: Saturday, Sep/27/2003
If you know what is the exact # of species of cisadas? none of yo beez wax, somewhere

What do you mean by cicadas are coming!?

Date: Saturday, Sep/27/2003
Are they like taking over the world or something? ?, ?

I caught a cicada!

Date: Saturday, Sep/27/2003
I found a cicada on the grass in my yard today.I scooped it up in tuperwear and brought it inside.I was I went to ask.com to see what they eat and this site came up.I read a question asking will cicadas bite or sting?The answer was no, but they do pinch,scratch,and sometimes they lay eggs on you!Not like I would ever touch it.GROSS!!!!!Some one asked what they eat and the answer was a tree or something like that.The guy that answered said it was best to let it go.So when I’m done online I’m gonna open the tuperwear and RUN!!!!I hate bugs.I don’t know why but I wanted to keep it as a pet.No spiders though.I can’t even look at spiders!!! what my name is, this planet

2004 CICADAS in Pigeon Forge?

Date: Saturday, Sep/27/2003
Could anyone tell me if Pigeon Forge will be effected by the 2004 cicadas. I’m taking a girl scout troop there mid-June and am concerned about perhaps the emergence overpowering the trip since there are so many trees there.
Julie, Cincinnati

CICADA SEASON

Date: Tuesday, Sep/23/2003
I HAVE HEARD MANY COMMENTS ABOUT WHEN CICADA’S WILL BE HERE. IS IT 2003 OR 2004? I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL BUT NOT AS MANY AS I REMEMBER IN CINCINNATI OHIO THE LAST TIME IT TOOK PLACE. MELISSA, HAMILTON, OHIO

CIcadas in September + 17-year emergence in 2004

Date: Sunday, Sep/21/2003
Lots of cicadas still buzzing away here. Things got off to a late start due to the cool spring that we had. It’s doubtful that anyone reporting cicadas this late in the year are hearing Magicicada. They are normally the first ones out in any areaNext year, Brood X, probably the most widespread emergence, will be emerging around June 1st. Don’t miss it! If you happen to live in an emergence area, you won’t miss it! MIke Frey, Lititz PA

Addition to previous

Date: Sunday, Sep/21/2003
Sorry I forgot, my cicada resembles the last picture above Kathleen, Mississauga, Ont, CA

Found a Cicada

Date: Sunday, Sep/21/2003
I initially found this bug and thought that was not native to our country, upon contacting the U of T campus in Mississauga. I found out what it was.It was almost 2 inches long and it was dying, I kept it until itdentification and then let it go (dead). I was totally fasinated by this insect.

— Kathleen, Mississauga, Ont, CA

My mom found one on her paper route!

Date: Saturday, Sep/20/2003
My mother found a cicada on her clothes when she came home in the morning from her daily paper route. She put it in a paper bag and placed it in the trash and it crawled out and suprised my step father. My mother has lived here for 20 years and claims she has never seen themin florida, but in her previous home in Wisconsin she saw them. Do they not really come to florida because of the heat? Heather & Patti, Ft. Myers FL

Cicada “shells” all over tree

Date: Saturday, Sep/20/2003
While cleaning up after Hurricane Isabel, we found a tree with many cacada, but we are unsure if that is what they really are. Zack, Wilmington, NC

Green Cicada

Date: Monday, Sep/15/2003
I was sitting out in front of my office building and there I saw a green cicada dead on it’s back. It has been exactly 17 years since the first time ever exposed to them. RSF, Mclean, Virginia right outside of DC

Tibiscen sp.

Date: Monday, Sep/15/2003
Just picked one up off my patio, not sure of sp. Found him upside down but he’s still got a little life in him. Have him in the house now to show the kids tonight. Grew up on W. coast so never saw these growing up. My first introduction to them was actually in Okinawa (HUGE sp. like small sparrows!)Looking forward to brood X next spring. Stacy, Odenton, Maryland

Re: Chicago early emergence?

Date: Sunday, Sep/14/2003
I have not seen any, just the usual Tibicens but I believe I heard some Magicicada. In our maples along the street, there were some strange lower-pitched two-syllable calls amid the usual Tibicens “eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee”. I haven’t seen any bodies other than Tibicens (whether from die-off or the numerous cats and dogs in the neighborhood capturing them). Shanda, West Dundee, IL

help help help

Date: Saturday, Sep/13/2003
my mom found one of this lttle guy on my front porch we took it in the house and i made him a home this is the 1 night he spent here but i dont know if can set him free missing claws but he has his leg and i dont think he can fly he fly like he is drunk and i dont know if i should let him go tim nichols, windsor ontario canada

Sightings/hearings

Date: Friday, Sep/12/2003
Some activity here in west suburban Boston – exoskeletons found on vertical surfaces and some sporadic noise heard. Nothing like I heard or saw on the Cape years (17?) ago when there were hundreds of exoskeletons, constant noise (sounded like a flying saucer landing) and tips of pine tree branches were falling off the trees! Warren Thompson, Bedford, MA

Melampsalta calliope

Date: Friday, Sep/12/2003
Hi cicada people,I am in a research lab (see CicadaCentral) that is working mostly on one tribe of cicadas – the Cicadettini. These cicadas are found all over the world, but there are only two described species in North America – Melampsalta calliope and Melampsalta floridensis. These are very small (less than 1 inch including wings) green cicadas found in grassy fields in Central/Eastern NA. Does anyone out there have any recent specimens/photos/song recordings that they would be willing to trade? Any information on these cicads would be welcome! Please email me at cicada900 [AT] yahoo.com.auHappy cicada hunting! Kathy, Storrs, CT

Nymph Shells

Date: Wednesday, Sep/10/2003
We’ve seen nymph shells in our yard both last year and this year. They’re not in great quantities, so I assume they’re not the 17 year cicadas? What kind are these, and can I expect to see them each summer? They’ve come around in July and August of 02 and 03? Barbara , Toms River, NJ

next circada cycle

Date: Wednesday, Sep/10/2003
when is the next cycle for the circadas?They seem pretty loud in my neck of the woodsMike mbgilbert [AT] aol.com, silver spring, maryland

The Current Cicada

Date: Wednesday, Sep/3/2003
I just noticed the cicadas in my western Pennsylvania neighborhood recently. It seems late in the year for this; could it be due to the amount of rain that we have recieved this year? And, what type of cicada is this and at what interval do they return? Thanks, Wayne and Pat 9-3-03 Wayne Cosentino, Avella, PA USA (western PA)

Out and About!

Date: Tuesday, Sep/2/2003
For the past two weeks it has been excellent cicada viewing! Almost nightly I get to see little ones coming out of their shells and then big ones making the end of August music. Just beautiful! Elizabeth, Chicago, IL

Cicada Killers

Date: Tuesday, Sep/2/2003
It was quite an education learning about not only Cicadas, but those very impressive wasps that like to kill them. Those wasps get my respect. It has ben a very auditory summer. Keith Brigode, Washington Lake, Michigan

Cicada Recorded for CD

Date: Tuesday, Sep/2/2003
We make CDs of sound effects and recorded a daytime bug that might be a Cicada and need to know if it kind of makes the sound of rattlesnake in the trees. We have several recordings and just need to confirm that is the name of the bug. http://a1freesoundeffects.com Bob Sound, Houston, Texas

17-year-cicadas in Maine?

Date: Monday, Sep/1/2003
My daughter is planning a Maine wedding for August 2004. Will there be hordes of periodical cicadas there, as there will be here in Maryland? Mary Jansiewicz, Baltimore, Maryland

Cicada remains

Date: Monday, Sep/1/2003
I found this dead insect on my porch. Did anyone else find a cicada in MA? I thought they come around every 17 years Diane, Melrose, MA

August 31, 2003

Cicada Comments from August 2003

Filed under: Old Message Board — Dan @ 11:00 am

annoying cicada!!

Date: Sunday, Aug/31/2003
I was outside playing softball,there was a cicada sitting on the tree above me. It started screaching really loud and wouldn’t stop! So I picked up a stick and hit the cicada,it flew off and came back in about 5 seconds. I hit it several more times and it never left, so I did. Shelby, Parsons,Kansas

So that’s a Cicada!

Date: Sunday, Aug/31/2003
I kept seeing these big flying bugs and was not sure what they were. Cicadas!! I came upon this site! Thanks, it’s fascinating. Now I know that they don’t bite or sting. I’ve always heard them but didn’t know what they looked like. I saw one on my back deck on it’s back and thought it was dead. I touched it very lightly and it didn’t move. I turned it over but it didn’t seem alive, so I got the broom and swept it off but when I did it made the noise and so I guess it was alive. I turned it over and let it stay there and the next morning it was gone. I’m kinda afraid of them because of their size, but I love them too! Do they sometimes sleep and appear dead?Thanks again! Jan, suburban Atlanta

Cicada Season 2004??

Date: Saturday, Aug/30/2003
I moved to the Greater Cincinnati area almost 2 years ago… they all tell me that NEXT summer(2004) is the cicada season but the research I’ve done indicates otherwise… that the season was actually 2002. What’s the deal? And just how bad is it going to be? I know they can’t hurt me but it sure sounds gross from the stories I hear… Tell me about it… Rebecca, Covington, KY

they’re here!

Date: Tuesday, Aug/26/2003
have seen several in the past few days . . . noisy little critters! doreen, cincinnati, oh

Identified Tibicen Cicada

Date: Tuesday, Aug/26/2003
We have identified this Cicada through the web. Is it native to Canada? We have never seen them before. They range up to three inches long (body). We are interested to know more about this new inhabitant of our back yard.Thanks! Susan James, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Outside Wedding in June

Date: Tuesday, Aug/26/2003
I am scheduled to get married outside in June 2004. Are the Cicada’s going to ruin it…..? Also I saw seven on my trees in the front yard today. (08/25/03) Gwen, Cincinnati Ohio

Cicadas and Moles

Date: Tuesday, Aug/26/2003
My neighborhood yards are overrun with moles. I have heard that when the cicadas emerge, as they are beginning to now in my neighborhood, the moles will die off. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this? Judy, Cincinnati, Ohio

other name

Date: Monday, Aug/25/2003
Do cicada also go by the name of Locus? Troy, Chicago

cicada hatching

Date: Monday, Aug/25/2003
saw one last night hatch on my dogwood. very interesting. also, watched a bee kill one. guess he stung it – all the while the cicada was buzzing – sad nancey, gaithersburg, montgomery county, maryland

ew… I really don’t like bugs but.,..

Date: Monday, Aug/25/2003
I know It can’t be helped. I hear them outside EVERY SUMMER, i can hear them going crazy outside now. I’ve decided to educate my self about them and I know that they will be here next summer. THe last time they were here was the year I was born (’87) and my parent’s horror stories of them being in blankets on cars and sidewalks are freaking me out. I want to know if there Is there any type of repellent you can put on to keep them from harassing you. They are pretty gross in my opinion so if you know of anything can you e-mail me so I can stock up 🙂 thanks! darealfolkblues [AT] yahoo.com Meagan, Randallstown, Baltimore Co, MD

cicada concerns

Date: Sunday, Aug/24/2003
i bought a home in spring of 2002. we had a large swamp maple tree removed from our yard so we could put in a pool. around late july and august we found about a hundred or so holes in the ground and then cicada shells and cicads. now this august we found the same thing. my concern is that they will come up under the pool and eat thru the liner. i have found holes on the edge around the pool where they have come up and moved river rocks that are about two and a half inches in size.should i worry about them coming up thru my liner and that 7 or seventeen year myth i think is wrong. please help i am thinking about pesticides. dan, yardville, nj

when’s the last time you’ve seen a cicada baby?

Date: Sunday, Aug/24/2003
Just saw one outside my house. It was so cool sitting there all by its self. Then, all of a sudden, my dog, Gracie, ate that bitch. That was a phenomal moment to experience that. That’s It, Ice Rob cicada baby, cashville,tn

Cicada Counds on CD?

Date: Saturday, Aug/23/2003
Does anyone know of a cd for sale with cicada sounds on it? Trying to tape the sounds in my back yard to no avail.Several years ago I purchased a cd entitled “Frog Talk” which is the sounds of the springtime “peepers” Karen, Greensburg, PA

Singing Cicadas

Date: Saturday, Aug/23/2003
This is an auditory experience of about 20 years ago. I had occasion to camp out at the Prince William Forest Preserve in Virginia. At sundown, the whole forest came alive with the chirping of singing insects, millions of them everywhere! It took my breath away. Their chirp is somewhere between a cicada and a katydid. I am a musician and I had my flute with me. I had to play along with them. That improvised melody is now a perminent part of my repertoire. Does anybody know what these insects are? Is there a recording of them? Send any replies to the above address or tinasparty [AT] yahoo.com Thank You Tina Andrus, 3 Madison St. Apt 3, Schenectady, NY, USA, 12305

Cicadas wings..

Date: Saturday, Aug/23/2003
this last week, there have been a lot of Cicadas and inevetably my cats will get one… I try to rescue them but I got to one today and his wing was damaged. Will this heal? or should I just put him in a tree somewhere away from the cats?. Diana Diana Howe, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

“Cicadas and the City”

Date: Saturday, Aug/23/2003
Apparently the 17 year cicadas are early! it took us a while to figure out what they were as the “nymphs” look like a cross between little crabs and ugly roaches. And the babies are going to start dropping from the trees?That’s pretty gross.They’re all over the Baltimore City Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus. Todd, Baltimore, MD

arguement of Cicada’s stinging

Date: Friday, Aug/22/2003
I have recently gotten into an argument whether cicada’s sting or not – I say they don’t – what is the real answer? John, Columbus, Ohio

A cicada?

Date: Thursday, Aug/21/2003
I came out to our pool the other day in the morning, and saw this large bug, which resembled a large fly, floating around. It was still living, so I got it out of the pool, and it moved very slowly. It was dark, probably black in color, and had clear webbed wings. Is it possibly a cicada in Southern NJ this time of year. Thanks for any info you can give me. ps it didn’t make any noise. Melissa, Cherry Hill, NJ

found a LOT of cicada shells!

Date: Thursday, Aug/21/2003
this morning my husband and i were walking to the car to go to work, and i looked down on the sidewalk and there was a shell and a foot away from it was an adult! it wasn’t completely dry and ready to fly, it was still kind of green and slow. i moved it off the sidewalk, where i was afraid it would get stepped on. the rest of the one block walk to the car we found 7 more shells. when we came home and walked on the opposite side of the street we found at least 10 more, all over the trees. i’ve never seen this many at one time. we found 2 or 3 last year in the same area. one tree had 5 on it that i could see. just found this website. i’ve loved cicadas ever since i was little. when i was a teenager i was lucky enough to see an adult emerge and dry in our backyard. it took hours and was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Melanie Wilson, Oak Park, IL

Yes it is a noisy night!

Date: Thursday, Aug/21/2003
…I am used to hearing the cicadas in the morning. Strange this year, usually they come out late june early July…very late start this year and they are singing at night! Making up for lost time!!!! ;-)McKenzie McKenzie, Bucks County

Very Noisy Bug at Night????

Date: Wednesday, Aug/20/2003
Hoping that someone might help me identify the ‘bug’ around here lately which has been very noisy, it is much lounder than the common cricket, which I can still hear at night, the sound is a middle to high pitched sound similar to that of a cricket, sounds like it is coming from the trees in my back yard. Any information and perhaps sound link would be great, email to tmdelisle [AT] yahoo.com Todd, Southbridge, MA

Cicada migrate?

Date: Saturday, Aug/16/2003
Do cicada migrate? I remember hearing about a type of cicada that pays a visit to Arkansas every 7 years. I was wondering if that was even possible for these critters. mickel, MA

large insect shell

Date: Friday, Aug/15/2003
The other morning I found this shell of an insect. About five minutes later I saw a large camouflage looking insect with large wings. I was wondering what it could be and then it finally dawned on me that it was a Cicada. I didn’t expect them for another 4 years. But now I will be searching every night for more nymphs! Very interesting and exciting insects. Katie, Lynwood, IL.

tonight a small one

Date: Friday, Aug/15/2003
Tonigh I was sitting outside and a new “baby” cicada landed on my arm, I was so excited to finally see one again , as I have heard them all summer long here, but have not held one since I was a kid in texas. This is the first summer I can remember hearing them in minneapolis so I am glad to see this little guy, I took a few pictures as I am a photographer and then I let him go……. jmcfadden, Minneapolis

Something wicked this way hums!

Date: Thursday, Aug/14/2003
August 14, 2003. The trees are alive with the sound of music. It has been Seven Years since the last attack. They are Back! Randy, Milltown, Middlesex County, New Jersey

cicada nymfs all over

Date: Wednesday, Aug/13/2003
all night about 40 cicada nymfs covered one of my trees. i just watch turn into cicadas for while. it was cool , but long! corey, marine IL

Dead and alive

Date: Wednesday, Aug/13/2003
Just moved to Chino Valley,Arizona a few months ago.I asked around about the noise in the trees.They all said cicada’s.I love the sound!!! So country and summery.I found a dead one,and it rattled when I picked it up.I went to a neighbors tree,and saw one crawling backwards down the trunk,rattling every few seconds.I hope that they will be back next year too.Chino Valley is located 15 miles north of Prescott,Az.They’re loaded with them too!!! I’m glad that I decided to do some research to learn more about them.Some of the long time locals were also saying locusts or katydids.Now I can inform them with a not so,and show them the picture,and identification of a cicada.Thank you for the information, Katie Katie Meyer, Chino Valley, Arizona U.S.A.

Cicada

Date: Monday, Aug/11/2003
on August 2nd, my husband found our cat playing with a large brown bug. He put it in a flower pot so the cat couldn’t get it. Later he found it hatching. Turned out to be what he thought was a large green butterfly/moth. It just hung on the edge of the pot and was gone the next morning. Clemson Extension told me it was a Cicada. We’d had them in all our trees 2/3 years ago but never saw one, just heard them. We thought they only hatched every 17 years but Clemson says there are some that hatch every year. Wish I’d taken pictures of the hatching. Jeannie Burton, Greenwoood,S.C.

Cicada “shells” in Toronto

Date: Sunday, Aug/10/2003
Although as a kid I heard the Cicada “song” it wasn’t until last week that I overheard the neighbour say “Yuck! What is that?!”I went over and saw the skin of a cicada still clinging to the fence. The neighbour saw a TV special that night, coincidentally, on the Cicada…that’s how we found out what it was.A day later I found 8 or ten skins on the trunk of our 60 year old spruce tree.My wife won’t let me bring them in the house, so I am content to view photos of the wee beasties on the internet. Harvey, Toronto, Canada

Rescued Cicada! Please Help!

Date: Sunday, Aug/10/2003
Two days ago I found a cicada covered in fire ants. Thankfully the ants couldn’t break through his rough shell and he is fine. I know very little about cicadas except from the helpful info on this site. I believe he is a nymph, he is dark brown with no wings and looks very much like the cicada nymphs in photos.I tried to put him back in the tree, but he keeps falling back down to the ant-infested ground, so I have kept him in a plastic container with soil, branches and leaves, but he just keeps crawling –quite awkwardly– in circles. What should I do with him? Thanks for your help!~Heather Heather Dearmon, South Carolina

where are the cicadas

Date: Saturday, Aug/9/2003
has anyone in queens seen any cicada’s this year. this is the first time in 20 years that i haven’t seen them! where are they? jerome rosovsky, whitestone, NY

We saw one! It tried to kill me!

Date: Saturday, Aug/9/2003
It attached us today! We ran and ran ans ran until it finally lost track of us… we were scared but thankfully we are slick ones ;). Thank the Lord for quick feet! YAA HOOO! Annie and Dani, In the backyard

Seen many cicadas around the yard, lately

Date: Saturday, Aug/9/2003
The backyard has recently been abuzz with many cicada. I woke up this morning and found one of the beautiful creatures on the kitchen window. I remember these insects from my childhood. Do they emerge every summer or just every so years? They are really neat to see! Amanda Vargo, Charlotte, NC

Cicada Sighting

Date: Friday, Aug/8/2003
Found two cicadas within a 5 mile radius emerging from their shells around Winchester this week, in case anyone wants to know ..they’re heeere! Leann, Winchester, IL

emergence of cicadas in baltimore

Date: Friday, Aug/8/2003
what are the expected dates of emergence of cicadas in baltimore, 2004 we are planning a june 26 wedding d kimmitt, baltimore maryland

How do cicadas get there eggs into the ground?

Date: Friday, Aug/8/2003
How do cicadas get there eggs into the ground? Kyle, Fayette, Al

Weird giant flyng insect

Date: Wednesday, Aug/6/2003
My daughter and I were rollerblading in our apt complex. I was looking up at the sky and saw a giant bug flying very clumsely. At first I thought it was a june bug. I thought it’d be too late in the season for that. It had something hanging off of it, and it’s wings almost looked too small for it’s huge body. I guessed it was a cicada. It was a dark color. I’ve been seeing them occasionally lately. Sometimes it looks like two dragon flies stuck together, but it’s just one bug. I’m just curious what kind of cicada this would be if it is one. It had to be, it was huge. Lisa, Milwaukee, WI, USA

Cicada Beanie

Date: Wednesday, Aug/6/2003
I dropped by your site to find a picture of a cicada, to show a friend in CA who’d never seen one. I thought y’all would like to know that there’s a cicada beanie baby available:http://shop.store.yahoo.com/incrediblegifts/twitcictybea.html Cobwebs, Manassas, VA

3 weeks so far

Date: Monday, Aug/4/2003
I found a Cicada in Enfield, CT. 3 weeksago. They are still around. I caught one yesterday August 3rd. How long will they be here in CT.? What species are they? I heard they only last 3 days? Also, found alot of underground wasp mounds and tunnels. Mary Lou Enfield,CT. Mary Lou Timura, Enfield, Connecticut

almost finished…….

Date: Monday, Aug/4/2003
can we become overrun with these wasps? We use the back yard all the time. Or, want to anyway… Any HELP!!! would be appreciated!! P Rathbone, still in Oneonta

continued.

Date: Monday, Aug/4/2003
Boy are they freaky! But upon checking out what I can in the last few minutes before finding this site, it seems as though they (wasps) are pretty docile and “beneficial” according to the “wasp people”. My question is which could become more of a problem? I want to put my terror aside and leave the wasps alone if cicadas are REALLY destructive..but are they? (next post) P Rathbone, Oneonta,NY

Don’t want to kill ANYONE, but…………

Date: Monday, Aug/4/2003
I’ve been hearing cicadas lately and it reminds me of when I was a kid in Villanova,PA. We used to find the “shells” all over and hear them all the time. Loved it. Have not been inundated by them ever, but!- today my dog discovered what I’ve found out to be a “cicada killer wasp”! When I went over to see what it was I saw two more…(see next post)… Patricia Rathbone, Oneonta NY

Are there cicadas in FL???

Date: Saturday, Aug/2/2003
I just moved from MN to FL. I am very used to the constant buzzing of cicadas during a MN summer. Now that I am in FL, I am hearing a much louder buzzing, very similar to that of the sound in MN, but so much louder. It can actually be heard with windows shut, a/c on, and earplugs in while taking a nap. Are these cicadas, or some other type of insect. I have encountered so many strange new creatures down here…. Danni, Melbourne

DACHSHUND DISCOVERED CICADA

Date: Saturday, Aug/2/2003
Was quite taken by the HUGE bug my mini dachshund found on the walk in front of my house. I had never seen such a thing. I called and woke my mother at 6 in the morning and described the monstrous bug, she assured me it was a Cicada. WOW! Lisa, Warren, Ohio

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