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April 14, 2020

Use the Periodical Cicada Emergence Checklist for the Maximum Magicicada Experience

Filed under: Magicicada | Periodical — Dan @ 6:36 pm

Experience score:

  1. (Android and Apple)
  2. (holes and chimneys)
  3. (video)
  4. (video)
  6. (listen to one)
  7. (see one)
  8. (hear one)
  9. (see one)
  10. (hear one)
  11. (see one)
  12. (hear one)
  13. (listen to one)
  14. (see one)
  15. (see the fungus)
  17. (shrimp of the land)
  21. (video)
  22. (illustration)
  23. (photo)
  24. (shell filled lamp)
  25. (see it)
  26. Bonus Points:
    (see it)

8 Comments

  1. Mark Schreader says:
    May 23, 2021 at 7:36 am

    What is the time period from when periodical cicadas emerge and shed, to when they begin to actually chorus? While I’m an entomologist, cicadas are not my specialty,
    but they fascinate me. I’m heading on my first search, mostly in an area south of my county of Schuylkill county, PA, where some reports have begun to come in. Our county, historically is primarily Brood II, and I will in the coming weeks be attempting to locate pockets of Brood X here. Most my search will be targeting the southern tier of our county, especially more remote areas.

    1. Dan says:
      May 23, 2021 at 8:34 am

      First, their bodies need to fully sclerotize (harden) which can take 2-3 days. If you see white/gray markings on their mesonotum, that’s an indication that they’re not get fully sclerotized. After a few days, you might hear them try to sing or put out a distress sound when handled, that’s a good sign they’re ready to sing.

      Then they need a critical mass of other male cicada to form a chorus. Depending on the species, some prefer to be at a certain height in trees before they’ll chorus. M. cassini prefers to be higher up.

      They’ll also need the right weather and light conditions — sunny, not too cool – not too hot. And

  2. Daniel says:
    April 19, 2021 at 7:53 am

    For the best cicada experiences, would the Smoky Mountain area near Knoxville and Owensboro, KY be good places in mid-May 2021? I will be making a cross-country trip to see them and wouldn’t want to miss this massive brood. Thank you.

    1. Dan says:
      April 19, 2021 at 8:14 am

      Knoxville itself, but not the mountains.

  3. Rhonda says:
    February 25, 2021 at 5:55 am

    Will the 17 yr cicadas emerge north of Chicago by the Wisconsin state line. Third Lake Il

  4. Ippy says:
    April 27, 2020 at 6:40 am

    I have seen 4 of the red eyed periodical cicadas this week. Moving about and one emerging from its exoskeleton on a crepe myrtle trunk. We are on Arthur Minnis Road in Hillsborough NC and last saw these in full force May of 2011. Are these stragglers of Brood XIX?
    Would appreciate any information! Thanks,
    Ippy Patterson

    1. Dan says:
      April 27, 2020 at 8:22 pm

      @Ippy, that sounds like Brood XIX emerging 4 years early — very unusual for a 13 year brood — but others are reporting this as well! Thanks!

      1. Christine McCluskey says:
        May 4, 2020 at 12:00 pm

        they are all over my yard this week in south Charlotte NC!

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