Today is September 21st, 2017 — the last day of Summer, in central New Jersey. Leaves of maple trees have started to turn scarlet and yellow. Oaks are dropping their acorns. The few, remaining Morning (Neotibicen tibicen tibicen) and Linne’s (Neotibicen linnei) cicadas sound decrepit and tired — like tiny breaking machines, low on fuel and oil. I found one dead Morning cicada lying on a sidewalk — its body crushed. Here in New Jersey, at least, the cicada season is all but over.
Molting Neotibicen tibicen tibicen in Little Silver, NJ. August 26st.
As cicada years go, this one had ups and downs. It wasn’t as awesome as 2016, but I can’t blame the cicadas.
Downs:
- No group cicada hunts this year. My cicada hobby is much more fun when I can share it with other people.
- A skunk took over my favorite spot for finding Morning Cicada nymphs.
- I had to go on a business trip during what would have been the best weeks for finding nymphs.
- I forgot to bring my good audio recording equipment to Titusville, NJ & Washington Crossing, PA, and only got so-so iPhone audio of the weird N. winnemanna there.
Ups:
- I found a new Megatibicen auletes location in Highlands, NJ. The location is about 50 miles north of where I usually find them.
- I found more Megatibicen auletes exuvia than ever at the Manchester, NJ location where my friends and I normally hunt for auletes. Normally I find one or two — this year I found dozens. I found no adult specimens, other than those singing in the trees at dusk.
- I did find enough exuvia & Morning cicadas that I should be happy.
Here’s some images from this summer:
Neotibicen tibicen tibicen with bad wing. The indigo color is fascinating. August 9th.
A Neotibicen tibicen tibicen found during a lunchtime stroll. September 1st.
A female Neotibicen canicularis or maybe pink N. linnei found in Little Silver, NJ. August 25th.
You’ll find more activity on the Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram.
And last, the most popular post on the Cicada Mania Facebook page:
Apparently I have a nest of cicadas in my front yard under my tree. There seem to be an increasing number emerging this week. You should see the wholes they made in the yard!
Send a photo to cicadamania@gmail.com
Hey Dan, I’m so sorry that you weren’t so lucky this year. That really must suck. But hey what truly made the whole season was the fact that we were able to witness a whole new cicada Brood form right in front of our eyes! That was awesome!
I was lucky enough. One cicada is enough to be happy.
BTW, if you’re looking for auletes skins, I found many in Manchester NJ, particularly by the pizza parlor (1900 NJ-70, Manchester Township, NJ 08759).
Thanks! And yea your right one is enough to be happy.