Category: Brood VIII

My Brood VIII Report

This year Brood VIII periodical cicadas emerged in the Pittsburgh area, and I traveled to see and map them. Unfortunately, I only had 3 days, so I only saw the western side of the Brood.

Mating Magicicada septendecim

All things considered — including cool, cloudy weather (which cicadas don’t like as much as hot & sunny) and a very rainy spring — Brood VIII was the least impressive brood I’ve witnessed, in terms of the sheer number of cicadas. I hope no one in the Pittsburgh area takes offense to that statement — Brood VIII is your brood, and you should be proud of it. It is just that as we humans build more and more, and continue to alter the environment, the numbers of cicadas will steadily dwindle. and I think we’re seeing that happen to Brood VIII.

Here’s an impromptu map of the places I saw cicadas:

Brood VIII Mapping

And a list of places:

Allegheny Township
Apollo
Bethel Township
Black Lick
Blairsville
Blue Spruce Park
Bolivar
Boyce Park
Brush Valley Township
Center Township
Crooked Creek Horse Park
Derry Township
Elizabeth
Hempfield Township
Home
Homer City
Hoodlebug Trail
Indiana
Keystone State Park
Ligonier
New Alexandria
New Florence
Parks Township
Pine Ridge Park
Rayne Township
Round Hill Park
St Clair Township
Stahlstown
Two Lick Creek Dam
Unity
Washington Township
West Wheatfield Township
White Township
Yellow Creek State Park

And some photos:

Female Magicicada septendecim

Male Magicicada septendecim

Just a head

Video of the amazing cicada that was just a head.

A very cool Brood VIII cicada frisbee:

Cicada Frisbee

Brood VIII Magicicada Periodical

Brood VIII will emerge in 2019 in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia

Post author By Dan
Post date January 26, 2019
433 Comments on Brood VIII will emerge in 2019 in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia

Brood VIII will next emerge in 2036.

Periodical cicada Brood VIII (Eight) has emerged in 2019 in western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and the tip of the northern panhandle of West Virginia, as well as Oklahoma (which was unexpected). The last time this brood emerged was in 2002.

Look out for browning of leaves aka “flagging”, and in about a month, look for tiny cicada nymphs on branches where eggs were laid. You can still use the Cicada Safari App to report Flagging. It is available for iPhones/iOS and Android phones.
If you’re on Facebook, there’s a Brood VIII Group for discussion.
Read about my trip to see Brood VIII

What, when, where, and why:

What:

Millions of these:
Cicada insects with a 17-year life cycle.
Some people call them “locusts” but they’re really cicadas.
Which species: All three 17-year species, Magicicada septendecim, Magicicada cassini and Magicicada septendecula. How to tell the difference between the species.
NOT the green ones that arrive annually.

When: Typically beginning in mid-May and ending in late June. These cicadas will begin to emerge approximately when the soil 8" beneath the ground reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit. A nice, warm rain will often trigger an emergence.

Other tips: these cicadas will emerge after the trees have grown leaves, and, by my own observation, around the same time Iris flowers bloom.

Where:

Cicadas @ UCONN has the most up to date maps, including this modernized Google map.

You can report cicada sightings using the Cicada Safari App, available for iPhones/iOS and Android phones. The app helps you identify periodical cicada species, take photos and add your findings to a map.

Pennsylvania Counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Indiana, Lawrence, Venango, Washington, Westmoreland.
Pennsylvania Cities: Aliquippa, Allegheny Township, Apollo, Baden, Beaver, Belle Vernon, Bethel Township, Black Lick, Blairsville, Bolivar, Brush Valley Township, Burgettstown, Center Township, Cheswick, Chippewa, Cranberry, Derry Township, Economy Boro, Elizabeth, Ellwood City, Fawn Township, Finleyville, Freedom, Gilpin, Greensburg, Harmony, Hempfield Township, Home, Homer City, Hopewell, Indiana, Leet Township, Ligonier, Midland, Murrysville, Natrona Heights, New Alexandria, New Brighton, New Florence, Parks Township, Pittsburgh, Rayne Township, Rector, Robinson Township, Rochester, Round Hill Park, Sewickley, Shelocta, St Clair Township, Stahlstown, Unity, Washington Township, West Deer, West Wheatfield Township, White Township, and more.
Pennsylvania parks: Keystone State Park, Blue Spruce Park, Boyce Park, Crooked Creek Horse Park, Hoodlebug Trail, Pine Ridge Park, Yellow Creek State Park
Ohio Counties: Columbiana, Mahoning. Trumbull, Ashtabula.
Ohio Cities: Boardman, Calcutta, East Liverpool, Girard, Glenmoor, Lisbon, Mineral Ridge, New Waterford, Toronto, Wellsville, Youngstown, and more.
West Virginia Counties: Hancock
West Virginia Cities: Weirton, and more.
West Virginia parks: Tomlinson Run State Park
Oklahoma: Around Lawton, and north of Tulsa. Read this article.

More Location Tips:

County data is from the Cicada Central Periodical Cicada Record Database and Periodical Cicadas, the Plague and the Puzzle by Gene Kritsky. Cities come from 2002 reports.
Brood VIII does overlap with Brood V (which emerged 3 years ago in 2016). Most of Brood VIII is east of V.
As a general rule, if you experienced Brood V in 2016, or did not experience Brood VIII in 2002, you won’t experience them this year.
Not sure? Ask someone in your community who lived there 17 years ago.

Visually, the cities mentioned above look like this:
Map

Why: Why do they emerge in massive numbers every 17-years? In a nutshell, the long life cycle has helped them avoid gaining a specific above-ground predator, and the massive numbers allow them to satiate predators in general, allowing enough to survive and reproduce.

Bonus content:

Video of newly emerged periodical cicada nymphs:

Magicicada cicada nymph mania from Cicada Mania on Vimeo.

More facts and fun:

1907 Map from Marlatt, C.L.. 1907. The periodical cicada. Washington, D.C. : U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Bureau of Entomology.

Marlatt 1907 08 Brood VIII

Brood V Brood VIII Magicicada Matt Berger Periodical Periodical Stragglers

Look and listen for Magicicada stragglers in 2015

Post author By Dan
Post date June 11, 2015
4 Comments on Look and listen for Magicicada stragglers in 2015

Another straggler sighting, this time in Cleveland which should make it a Brood V one year straggler:

Lots of 17-year #cicadas in my neighborhood south of #Cleveland. Seems to be a group of stragglers? #OhioBugs pic.twitter.com/IKip1wbNCl

— Ohio Nature Writer (@LakeErieFlyFish) June 11, 2015

Matt Berger Brood V Stragger 2
A Brood V straggler found by Matt Berger in West Virginia. See more photos of this cicada.

The emergence of Brood XXIII is well underway in the states along the Mississippi, and Brood IV should kick off in the west as soon as it stops raining every day. These aren’t the only Magicicada periodical cicadas emerging in the U.S. this year — some stragglers will emerge as well.

A straggler is a periodical cicada that emerges before or after the rest of its brood. Typically a straggler belonging to a 17 year brood will emerge 4 years early, but they might also emerge a year early, or a year late, or even 4 years late. This probability chart, details the probability of a straggler emergence.

In 2015 you might find the following stragglers:

Brood XIII: 17 year cicadas emerging 4 years early in OH, PA, WVA.
Brood V 17-Year Cicadas Due in Spring of 2016: 17 year cicadas emerging 1 year early in NY, OH, PA, VA, WVA.
Brood XIX: 13 year periodical cicadas emerging 4 years late in AL, AR, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, VA
Brood XXII: 13 year cicadas emerging a year late in LA, MS, OH, KY

Tyla MacAllister found a Brood XIX Magicicada straggler (emerged 4 years late) in Alabama!

#Magicicada cassini female.#BroodXIX straggler. #cicadas pic.twitter.com/lUnjqGzJOj

— Tyla MacAllister (@tylamac) May 11, 2015

Brood I Brood II Brood III Brood IV Brood IX Brood V Brood VI Brood VII Brood VIII Brood X Brood XIII Brood XIV Magicicada Periodical

The most interesting 17 year cicada facts

Post author By Dan
Post date April 2, 2013
290 Comments on The most interesting 17 year cicada facts

These are the 17 most interesting 17-year cicada facts (IMHO). All these facts apply to 13-year cicadas as well.

#1. Names for cicadas

People call these cicadas “locusts” but they are not true locusts — real locusts look like grasshoppers. The phrase “17-year cicada” indicates that they arrive every 17 years. The name “periodical cicadas” indicates that they arrive periodically and not each and every year. The scientific name for the Genus of these cicadas is Magicicada, and there are 3 types of 17 year Magicicadas: Magicicada septendecim, Magicicada cassini and Magicicada septendecula.

This is a true locust:
Locust

#2. There are 13-year cicadas too

There are 13-year cicadas too! There are four species of 13-year cicadas: Magicicada tredecim, Magicicada neotredecim, Magicicada tredecassini, and Magicicada tredecula. Broods XIX, XXII and XXIII feature these cicadas.

Here’s a video that will help you identify the various species.

#3. Many Eye Colors

Most 17-Year Cicadas have red eyes, but they can also have white, gray, blue , or multi-colored eyes.

Yellow-White Eyed Male Magicicada septendecim Metuchen NJ

#4. Fungus

The Massospora cicadina fungus infects Magicicadas, destroying their abdomen and ability to reproduce. Often, their entire abdomen will fall off. The cicadas spread the fungus throughout their local colony via mating. The Massospora fungus is a cicada STD!

Male Magicicada septendecim infected with Massospora cicadina fungus

#5. They will land on you if you are using a power tool or lawn mower

Cicadas think the sounds made by power tools and lawn maintenance equipment are made by cicadas. They get confused and will land on the people using the equipment! Pro-tip: cut your lawn in the early morning or near dusk when the cicadas are less active.

guy with cicadas

#6. Cicadas have five eyes

Cicadas have two, obvious, large, compound eyes, and three ocelli. Ocelli are three jewel-like eyes situated between the two main, compound eyes of a cicada. We believe ocelli are used to detect light and darkness. Ocelli means little eyes in Latin.

5 Eyes

#7. People eat them

People eat them. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sauté it. There, uh, cicada kabobs, cicada creole, cicada gumbo, panfried, deep fried, stir fried. There’s pineapple cicada, lemon cicada, coconut cicada, pepper cicada, cicada soup, cicada stew, cicada salad, cicada and potatoes, cicada burger, cicada pizza, cicada sandwich… that’s, that’s about it.

Cicada Ice Cream

#8. Animals eat them

All wild animals and domestic pets will eat them. Dogs will gorge themselves until they choke. Squirrels will eat them like corn on the cob. Wild turkeys will grow fat and juicy on the cicada feast. Fish go crazy for them too — you can use them as bait, or use lures that mimic them.

#9. Cicadas “eat” tree fluids

Cicadas don’t eat solid foods like leaves or fruits. Instead they use their slender, straw-like mouth parts to drink tree fluids.

#10. Cicadas pee

Yes cicadas pee, so wear a hat when walking under trees if that sort of thing bothers you. Cicadas drink tree fluids and then expel the excess fluid they do now need. People call it “honeydew” or “cicada rain”.

#11. How cicadas make their sound

Only male cicadas make the loud sound they are famous for. Males have organs on their abdomen called tymbals. Muscles pop the tymbals in and out, which creates the sound we hear. Males make different calls for different reasons, and each species has a unique sound. Females can make sound too: they flick their wings to respond to males.

tymbals

#12. There are billions of them

There are literally billions, if not trillions, of 17-year cicadas. Why? One theory suggests that a large number of cicadas overwhelms predators, so predators are never able to eat them all and cicadas, and many always survive to mate. This is a survival strategy called “predator satiation”.

#13. They damage wimpy trees

The biggest concern about 17-year cicadas is their potential to damage young trees. The truth is they will damage limbs on the wimpiest of trees, so if you have weak, pathetic, wimpy ornamental trees in your yard you should consider placing netting around the trees if the cicadas visit your yard. Also, you can try hosing them off with water, placing insect barrier tape around the trunk of the trees, or picking them off like grapes! Or, plant strong, beefy American trees — that’s what I would do. Cicadas actually benefit the health of trees by aerating the soil around the roots and trimming the weak or damaged limbs.

#14. Stragglers

Periodical cicadas that emerge in years before they are supposed to emerge are called stragglers.

hipster cicada

#15. 17 and 13 are prime numbers

Scientist speculate that one reason why these cicadas emerge in 17 or 13 year cycles is because those are prime numbers. The fact that 13 & 17 are relatively large* prime numbers makes it difficult for predators to synchronize with them. (*Relative to the average lifespan of an animal.) Annual cicadas (cicadas that arrive every year) often have wasps specialized to prey on them; periodical cicadas have no such wasp because no wasp could evolve to synch with it.

#16. They use their color to warm up

Cicadas need to be warm to sing and fly around. Their dark skin absorbs the heat of the sun, which helps to warm them up.

#17. 17-year and 13-year broods co-emerge every 221 years

Cicada Broods usually don’t overlap geographically, and it is very rare when they emerge in the same year. In 2024, Brood XIX and Brood XIII are both emerging.

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If you have 18 minutes to spare, watch the video version of this article.

Brood VIII Brood XXIII Old Message Board

Cicada Comments from June 2002

Post author By Dan
Post date June 30, 2002

Note: June of 2002 would include Brood VIII and Brood XXIII.

CICADA

Date: Saturday, Jun/29/2002.
We have swarms of those ugly things herewill be glad when they are gone, but in the mean time our 4 dogs love eating them. I don’t see how anyone can call them cute, they are a pain in the backside and destroy trees. HOW DO YOU MAKE THEM DEAD!!!! Patricia, Winnemucca,Nv

Cicadas in the north

Date: Friday, Jun/28/2002.
After looking at the photos on the Great Lakes Cicada Page, I believe the cicadas I saw here in the Peace Country of northern British Columbia are Okanagana canadensis. Some of this species are supposed to be desert dwellers and the site I found them in was a mini-desert area in the middle of grain growing fields of what is mostly considered boreal forest. I did not think cicadas could survive this far north with our incredibly long, cold winters. Anyway, I am really excited that they exist up here! Penny Johnson, Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada

They’re here!

Date: Thursday, Jun/27/2002.
Last Sunday we were moving solar panels & a pump jack in the hills. The cactus were blooming and so were the sego lilies. I asked my husband why there were SO MANY buzzing insects out there with us. Usually you here a few, but this was something else. We also have plenty of snakes, so it was very distracting! I looked around and immediately found several cicadas. These hills are considered high altitude desert- lots of sagebrush and greasewood. Well, this morning the cicadas were here – enjoying our irrigated fields and lawn! Whole lotta buzzin goin on! Karen, south central Montana

Invasion of Cicada

Date: Thursday, Jun/27/2002.
WOW! I had no idea what these noisy huge bugs were. Called the Cooperative Extension they gave me a two paragraph plurp-Cicada. All of the North Valleys sounds like your about to take off in a plane. So I went out a looked in our trees-WOW! There must be at least 10 cicada per branch. I’m told these will only last until the end of June. I’m glad I got to witness this phenomomen. It has been very interesting. Heidi, North of Reno, NV

Tibicen cicadas beginning to get more numerous…

Date: Thursday, Jun/27/2002.
T. pruinosa and T. chloromera are becoming more common every day. T. linnei has made a few appearances as well. Of course Neocicada heiroglyphica ia out. They have become quite numerous the last week or so. I captured a couple of Tibicens Monday and photographed them together with some of the Magicicada I brought back from Clinton Lake, Illinois. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen the two types alive together at the same time. Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

Tibicen auletes joins the crowd!

Date: Wednesday, Jun/26/2002.
On the evening of June 24 at 8:49pm, Tibicen auletes was heard calling in Ridge, Maryland (82 deg). This is very early for this species whose average call season begins in mid-August. It is almost 6 weeks earlier than the previously earliest record for our area (July 31). T. lyricen is now abundant in the evening about a half an hour before dusk (last two nights). T. chloromera is now commonly calling during the morning hours for the past two days. T. auletes was heard again last night (Jun 25). With N. hieroglyphica calling in localized areas, there are now 4 annual cicada species calling in Southern Maryland. J. Zyla, St. Mary’s County, Maryland

A bug that appears to look like it is a small dragon fly

Date: Tuesday, Jun/25/2002.
I aasume that this is a lucust however I have never really seen them before Tom, Moncton New Brunswick Canada

Is there a 8 yr varitey of this bug

Date: Tuesday, Jun/25/2002.
We have these bug enmass right now and was wondering if there is a 8 year variety because they seem to show up enmass about every 8th year? L. B., Reno, NV

Periodical Cicadas in eastern PA

Date: Tuesday, Jun/25/2002.
I was rafting on the Lehigh River in Carbon Co. PA on June 23 when I heard scattered songs of periodical cicadas along a 13-mile stetch of the river. No real chorus, just individuals. This seems to be way out the normal range of Brood VIII in PA. anybody have any ideas on this ? Ed Johnson, Staten Island, NY

Cicadas in the far North

Date: Monday, Jun/24/2002.
I am thrilled to have found and heard cicadas up here in northern BC where we have very long winters and minus 30 degrees celsius in common. I live a year in Tucson, so I immediately recognised the sound. The place was a desert-like area that is quite rare up here, high above the Peace River. This is the only area I have spotted them. Is this unusual to find them so far north? Penny Johnson, Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada

Spit

Date: Sunday, Jun/23/2002.
Do Cicadas spit? I heard if you hold em by their wings they spit they sometimes spit? Vanessa, Toronto,Ohio USA

Spit

Date: Sunday, Jun/23/2002.
Do Cicadas spit? I heard if you hold em by their wings they spit they sometimes spit? Susan, Wintersville,Ohio USA

roadkill

Date: Sunday, Jun/23/2002.
driving pittsburgh to cleveland this weekend, saw literally hundreds of cicada(e?) dead along side of pa 60 up through allegheny and beavery counties. also heard classic hum while walking on montour trail. They hover above your windshield, then make a juicy splat. Also saw a few on US 30 in eastern Ohio (Columbiana County) today… dan roth, robinson twp, pa

Two More Annual Cicada Species have begun calling in Maryland!

Date: Saturday, Jun/22/2002.
A Tibicen chloromera (Morning Cicada) was heard calling for the first time this season at 10:14am (77 deg) on June 19, 2002 in Ridge, Maryland. (This is a week early from the 7-year average first call date of Jun 26 in MD). A Tibicen lyricen (Lyric Cicada) was heard calling for the first time this season on the evening of June 20 at 8:39pm (72 deg)in Ridge, MD. (This is 10 days early for the 7-year average first call date of June 30). Neocicada hieroglyphica continues to call sporadically. We now have 3 annual cicada species calling sporadically in our area. J. Zyla, Ridge, St. Mary’s County, Maryland

Can cicada’s cause brances to seep sap?

Date: Saturday, Jun/22/2002.
I have a young Red Crimson Maple tree and noticed the tips of a few branches not looking healthy. I could find no insects on the trees but have had a ton of cicada’s. I did notice where sap had run down from the higher branches and was wondering if the cicada’s could have caused that? Terri Orkwiszewski, Apollo, PA USA

Daugher loves “Locust Hunting”

Date: Friday, Jun/21/2002.
My 2 y/o loves to hunt the little critters. She asks me every day, “Go locust hunting?” (Easier to say than “cicada”.) She enjoys holding them by the wings to feel them flutter, then gets the biggest kick out of feeding them to either of our two dogs. The dogs have taught themselves the meaning of my exclamation to my dtr “Here’s one!”, and they excitedly come running. 🙂 They haven’t eaten a full meal of dog food for a couple weeks now! Shari, Frazer township, Allegheny Co.

Time to Leave!

Date: Friday, Jun/21/2002.
Ready to drop and roll. Live in the country and love to be outside gardening, etc. We have many trees and they are constantly flying. Their noise sounds alien, they are just big ugly flying bugs that eat the trees and will bite you if you leave them on long enough. Unless, you have a bee suit on, a walk in the woods would be impossible. Sure will be glad when they leave so I can hear the birds singing again. No wonder they only come every seventeen years!!! C. Kralik, Fawn Township, PA

Cicada Population

Date: Friday, Jun/21/2002.
I am inquiring regarding the unusual cicada population emergence in the middle to North Eastern region of Jefferson County, OH. During the last few weeks, they have become quite audible, even deafning with their nocturnal, but beautiful chorus of nature. Subsequently, they appear very dense with respect to population.I happened to be in a small town in Columbiana County, Wellsville, OH on 26 May, 2001, when I noticed many dead cicadas but I did not hear any specific audible tones to lead me to any conclusions that these wonderful creatures were back. Last year, in 2001, I had seen the culmination of the last 17 year cycle with an almost exponential amount of insects & didn’t expect them to be present again for more than another decade at the very minimum.Can you advise me as to why the emergence is occurring so quickly again and what type of cicada are we experiencing? Additionally, is this a different emergence than the one witnessed in 2000/2001?Regards,Jerry Jerry, Toronto, OH

Still going strong

Date: Friday, Jun/21/2002.
This seems to be the third week in our area for these noisy, gregarious insects. We are facinated with them and ever so pleased that they don’t cause permanent damage. We live in the woods and the noise can be eerie at times! Coleen, Indiana, Pennsylvania

Reno cicadas

Date: Thursday, Jun/20/2002.
The cicadas you are experiencing in Reno are probably Okanagana utahensis, but might be another species of Okanagana. O. utahensis is found throughout the Great Basin area and sometimes occur in large numbers on the sagebrush. (The people experiencing the emergence of the 17 year cicadas would not be impressed.) I have seen large numbers out by Austin and Elko, NV in past years. O. utahensis is mostly black but have very pale marks on the pronotum, behind the head. They will be pretty much gone by mid to late July Tim McNary, Ft Collins, CO

What is the life cycle of the cicada in Nevada?

Date: Thursday, Jun/20/2002.
We have hundreds and hundreds of holes in our yard. The sounds are incredible! What type of Cicada lives in Reno, Nevada? What is the life cycle? Susan, Reno, Nevada

cicads found on luggage a airport

Date: Thursday, Jun/20/2002.
I found 2 adult cicadas on the luggage carosel at the Buffalo airport. The flight had come in Atlanta-But who knows how long the bugs had been riding around with the luggage. I scooped them up and brought them home. Took a couple of fuzzy webcam photos then turned them loose on a maple tree in my backyard. gary nelson, buffalo ny

Cicada grub found in Michigan

Date: Wednesday, Jun/19/2002.
My son and his babysitter were sitting in the yard when they saw a grub emerge out of the ground right in front of them. They had it in a jar for me when I got home from work. Also found a shell attached to a leaf. The babysitter knew all about them…I had never heard of them until now!! From reading your site, sounds like we will see many more of them in the near future. So far, I have not heard their sound, but it has been rather cool at night here lately, if that has anything to do with it. Pretty interesting creature! Evan, Oxford, Michigan

WHERE?

Date: Tuesday, Jun/18/2002.
COULD SOMEONE PLEASE INFORM ME OF ANYSIGHTINGS CLOSE TO ERIE PA.?THANX COLIN GREEN, TORONTO,CANADA

Cicada in our sage brush

Date: Tuesday, Jun/18/2002.
It started with hundreds of holes appearing on the hill in our backyard. Then the buzzing started. After analyzing the dead ones that our cat brought into the house, we saw that they were cicada’s. What I don’t know is what kind and how often they will appear here. They aren’t living in our trees, they are in our sage brush. So far, I havne’t read anything about cicada’s that live in bushes like these, so low to the ground. Everything is about them being high in trees. Does anyone have any ideas? I most curious about their life span. From the number of holes (can’t walk for the number of them) and what I’ve read about how many eggs the females then lay, next time they come out could mean not seeing the back yard through the mass of them. I don’t want to kill them or even get rid of them, I just want to know what to be prepared for and when.Thanks,Troy Troy, Reno,Nevada

Near Car Cicada accident

Date: Sunday, Jun/16/2002.
I remember one day getting into my sisters car and after a few minutes of driving heard a loud buzzing noise. I looked up and on the dashboard was this Cicada that started flying around inside the car. My sister freaked out while driving and nearly got us killed.I did not know then what this insect was But remember it looked like a giant fly. Sam, Queens, NY

Cicadas are Popular

Date: Sunday, Jun/16/2002.
I Wanted to know more about these Giant “Fly Like” Creatures AFTER trying to describe one that fell in my pool.I personally have a fear of like roaches and giant flying Bugs. I am amazed that so many people like these Insects.. I am sure they are helpful, I just have a crazy phobia. Sam, Queens, NY

oh my god there here

Date: Saturday, Jun/15/2002.
well i don’t really have a lot so i’m glad there here alexa, New Brighton

Azaleas

Date: Saturday, Jun/15/2002.
They must be young (or small) plants. Or you may have just had an awful lot of cicadas concentrated in a small area. Still I think the azaleas will come back, as they grow from the roots, unlike some herbaceous flowers that actually do grow from the tips. They could die, but I don’t think they will. They’ll need time though. Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

Date: Friday, Jun/14/2002.
Nick. The azaleas are dying. it isnt just teh ends. There are deep nicks made by the female from the tip all the way to the base of the branch. The cuts are so deep that many branches have broken already and not at the ends. Christine P., Center Twshp., PA

I’ll Miss Them When Gone

Date: Friday, Jun/14/2002.
I’ve been enjoying these guys for the last three weeks. I’ve spent all my time watching them, playing with them, and listening to their songs. I feel privileged to have so many of them here and I can’t stand the thought of them leaving for another 17 years. It’s going to be awfully quiet and boring! Any way to get them back sooner? Jan, Rural Valley; Armstrong Co., PA

My backyard

Date: Friday, Jun/14/2002.
Yesterday evening I heard my first annual cicada of the year. He was barely audible for a while, then loud for less than a minute. His call was steady in frequency. About two weeks earlier than I usually first hear annuals.Also in my backyard from about May 31 for about 5 days, I heard the lonely calls of one to several Decim in my backyard each morning! Searched the woods on my property but didn’t even find skeletons. But it’s better than nothing. I wouldn’t know if they were more likely XXIII who wandered from their main range, or XIX who emerged four years too late, thinking they were 17-year cicadas instead of 13.Travelled last weekend to Carlyle Illinois (flooded) and forests southeast of St. Louis; heard and saw zilch. Looks like I won’t encounter periodicals again until 2011. Eric, Missouri

Sorry

Date: Friday, Jun/14/2002.
You might need an address to send the picture of the cicada pupa to, so here it is….terriblet272002 [AT] yahoo.com Thanks again. Tara Nicholson, Southeast Missouri

We found a pupa of something….

Date: Friday, Jun/14/2002.
My husband found a pupa and thought it might be that of a cicada. We have been trying to find pictures of cicada pupas, but can not seem to find any. Please if at all possible, could you send us a picture of one so we can see if that is what it is? Thank you. Tara Nicholson, Southeast Missouri

cicada leaving

Date: Friday, Jun/14/2002.
hi, i am wondering when these cicadas are going to be gone completely.no more sound, no more flying everywhere.please let me know very soon.i have a phobia of bugs,i need to know.thank you very much.bragom000 [AT] yahoo.com brandi gomez, midland,pennsylvania

Shrub damage

Date: Friday, Jun/14/2002.
Dude, the shrubs aren’t dying. Take a look, it should just be the tips. The egg-laying kills the tips of the branches but not the tree or shrub itself. It may look bad, but it doesn’t hurt them any more than pruning would. Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

Shrub Damage

Date: Thursday, Jun/13/2002.
The “Quesion & Answer” portion of this web site made mention that cicadas do not damage shrubs but rather only small disiduous trees. I assure you this is not true. They are killing my azaleas. The female has cut notches into the branches everywhere. Can anyone tell me if the azaleas will make it? Thanks. Christine P., Center Twshp., PA

attacked baby

Date: Thursday, Jun/13/2002.
a cicada flew onto my baby’s face and when I hit it off of her it left a huge red, swollen and bloody mark on her. I can’t wait for this 17 yr. stint to be over. I hope I never see another one again!! h, boardman, oh

I heard them…

Date: Thursday, Jun/13/2002.
Yesterday I was driving, into Frazier Township (About 10 miles from my home) and I heard this humming sound. I didn’t change it’s tone, I heard this sound for about a mile or so. I thought it was may van making the noise, but to my wonderful surprise it wasn’t. It was created by a large group of Cincada. I didn’t see any until this morning, I went outside for my morning cig, and there was one, only one. Light green in color, clear wings, red eyes. Not the prettiest thing. Robert Aston, Cheswick, PA

Brood XXIII wrapping up in Arkansas

Date: Wednesday, Jun/12/2002.
Everywhere I went that has cicadas today has died down significantly. The decim are completely gone for all intents and purposes. The cassini are still there but greatly diminished. And the decula… well, they were never out in force to begin with, except Lake Poinsett and along Crowley’s Ridge, where I didn’t manage to get to. But I would suspect that anything east or southeast of here is even farther progressed than this anyway. Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

They were cute at first…

Date: Wednesday, Jun/12/2002.
But now they are laying eggs in all of the young trees and ruining them. I read up on them and they are right, they are quite dumb insects. Why? Because there is so many of them that if a few get caught or killed there are always more to come. Seem sad that I’ll be 36 before I’ll see them again. Clinton, Armstrong County (Gilpin) PA

none here, but are they there?

Date: Wednesday, Jun/12/2002.
are they in the yough river valley yet? looking for some great fly fishing…. dave, irwin pa

Getting quieter…

Date: Wednesday, Jun/12/2002.
The noise is already starting to die down up here in Chippewa Township. I’ve noticed a major difference in noise level over the past few days. Sounds like we only have a short time left to enjoy the lovely sound 🙁 Brendan, Chippewa, PA

Amazing

Date: Tuesday, Jun/11/2002.
As a young girl I recall finding the shells of the cicadas on the maple tree in the back yard. Their only significance to me at that time was how frightened I was of the ugly shell and having to check my bed at night as my brother would put them there to torment me. Now, the same yard the same OLD/HUGE maple tree continues to bring forth these interesting creatures. I’ve asked around the neighborhood and no one else is having a problem with them but the landscaping of my home is covered with the shells. I was in the area of Racoon State Park today (near Hookstown) and I have never heard such an almost deafening constant drone from within the woods. They were flying across the road, splating on my car and falling down into the wiper well. I’m certainly glad I was not outside in this! One last thing, one nymph left it’s shell on my shoe during the night, I looked around the porch for the live critter and couldn’t see it then I carefully looked in the inside of my other shoe before putting it on and there were two bulging red eyes looking back at me. I always thought these guys were green and square heads, this one almose resembled a large yellow jacket body and the red eyes…well he sure was creepy looking!! If anyone has any input on this ‘type of locust/cicada please e-mail me patterson [AT] zoominternet.com, as I’m beginning to really become interested in these things, Strange???????? Chris Patterson, Ellwood City, PA

13 Year Cicada has arrived!

Date: Monday, Jun/10/2002.
For the past week or so we have heard them in the woods all around us and now they have invaded our property to the point I have major problems doing anything outdoors without being bombarded by them. L D M, New Harmony, In.

Indiana

Date: Monday, Jun/10/2002.
I wish the guy from the White River Bottoms had posted a few days sooner. Last Thursday (June 6) I was looking for the cicadas (particularly tredecim and neotredecim) in Knox Co., Indiana and couldn’t find them. Granted, the weather was bad last Thursday, but I should have heard something if I’d been in the right place. I guess the populations are spotty up there and I managed to dodge them all somehow… Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

Brood VIII

Date: Monday, Jun/10/2002.
I was running on Panhandle Trail, and about a half mile toward Carnegie from Gregg Station, the woods are crazy with the 17 year cicadas. Big area, over a half mile wide. The noise is awesome. I was puzzled both by cicadas in early June, and by the local concentration, so I did an internet search. Now I know what they are! Frank, Carnegie, Allegheny County, PA

Don’t worry, they’re all W’s

Date: Monday, Jun/10/2002.
I’ve been told the old wives tale that cicadas have either a W or P. Since then, I’ve read that all of them have a W on them so let’s not get all worked up. Also, I’m lucky enough to have been peed on by the cicada. They can call it honey dew or whatever, but I call it gross. They’re beginning to die already and they smell terribly. That does not stop my dog from feasting on them however. Hopefully, I’ll live somewhere else in 17 years!! Tina, Sewickley,PA

When are they coming?

Date: Monday, Jun/10/2002.
Hi Everyone,I remember the 17yr cicadas in Jr High and I just wanted to know when they will be coming again? Is it about time?Could someone with this information let me know?Thanks Romulus, Baltimore, Maryland

The bugs are ruining my research

Date: Monday, Jun/10/2002.
I really never minded the cicada. In fact, I always enjoyed hearing from them on warm spring nights. Now, however, I “hate” them. I have reforestation research going on in West Tennessee and they are not treating my young seedlings very well at all.Oh Well… I’ll continue loathing the animal. Chris , West Tennessee

Large invastion

Date: Monday, Jun/10/2002.
While visiting my country home on Saturday June 8th, I was amazed at how many cicadas there were. They were buzzzing and hanging on the trees. I hadn’t been up there for two weeks, so I don’t know when they arrived and how long they will be around, but they were annoying. Dora Dickerson, Dayton, PA USA (Armstrong County)

Outer Limits

Date: Monday, Jun/10/2002.
Our back yard is over run my Magicicada Septendecim Brood VIII (30 miles N. of Pittsburgh). The little critters are everywhere. All the moles in my yard this spring suddenly make sense, what with the larvae getting ready to emerge and all. The local bird population must be taking advantage of this event too, as I’ve not filled the feeder in a week. The chorus has been steadily getting louder the past week, and is about 50-70 decibles now. They sound very “Outer Limits-like,” weird and yet wonderful! Jeff Thieret, Harmony, PA

Answer to PLF, Periodical Cicadas in DC

Date: Monday, Jun/10/2002.
Dear PLF, While annual cicadas will soon be out in the Mid-Atlantic area, Brood VIII of the periodical cicada does not extend south to DC. The next periodical cicada emergence for DC will be in 2004 when Brood X emerges. If you can wait two more springs, you will probably have plenty of them. John Zyla, Ridge, MD

Are there Cicadas in Wassington , DC

Date: Monday, Jun/10/2002.
I just moved to DC and I miss my Cicadas. An anyone tell me if I can expect to here them here in the capitol city?Regrds, PLF PLF, Washington, DC

Cicada Sighting

Date: Monday, Jun/10/2002.
We have those bugs EVERYWHERE!! Missy, Burgettstown, Pa

Brood XXIII

Date: Monday, Jun/10/2002.
Hi,Upon visiting the White River bottoms, I heard the unmistakable call of the Periodical Cicada over the noise of traffic. I had never seen this species of cicada in my life before last week. I was back again on Sunday, and they are still there just as in the week before. I’m 23, so it makes sense that I wouldn’t remember the first time I may have seen these guys. Just wanted to let you know that the brood is quite active near the White River and in wooded clumps in Southern Indiana. Thanks. Eric Holman, Knox & Sullivan Counties, Indiana

Cicadas with “holes”

Date: Monday, Jun/10/2002.
The hollowed out cicadas are victims of a fungal infection that affects the Magicicada. It is more widespread in some areas than in others, but as you noticed, it feeds on them until the entire abdomen, and sometimes part of the thorax is eaten out. The only places I’ve seen it this year are Lake Poinsett State Park in northeastern Arkansas and Harmonie State Park in southwestern Indiana. I saw some of it in north Arkansas during the Brood XIX invasion in 1998 too. Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

Can I look forward to them here?

Date: Sunday, Jun/9/2002.
I live in the south suburbs of Minneapolis, MN. Are we going to get the cicadas here? I hope so, because my kids would love them! Please let me know where they are expected. Amy, Twin Cities

Cicada’s

Date: Sunday, Jun/9/2002.
The Cicada’s started emerging about three weeks ago. The woods near us are full of them now, with their constant “singing”. Richard Rosey, Apollo, PA

Hello

Date: Sunday, Jun/9/2002.
My mother and I are sitting on our porch listenting to the cicadas. We wanted to know things about them so we found your site. I’m so happy now that I know cicadas pee. Ryan Ryan Talkington, East Liverpool Oh

Siting in Mingo Creek Park, near Finnleyville, PA

Date: Saturday, Jun/8/2002.
First my friend and I heard them as we were driving into the park. Then saw them swarming by the hundreds on tree tops, in trees, etc. Saw the little round holes on the ground, from which they emerge. Oddly, my mom had been at the park several days earlier, and the circadas had not yet emerged. These little buggers are LOUD! Jamie, Pittsburgh, PA (Allegheny County), USA

o.m.g.

Date: Saturday, Jun/8/2002.
Oh my god, these things are everywhere. They seem as though they are going to take over my house. I live in the middle of the woods and i have been surrounded by locust now for two weeks. I just wish that they would stop making that annoying sound. chirs, Cranberry, pennslyvania, us

They are here but have holes!

Date: Friday, Jun/7/2002.
We have tons of cicadas in the yard. We have noticed that some of them have their entire end hollowed out. It looks like something has eaten them except they are still alive and flying. we have noticed also that some of them with the holes have what appears to be dirt like matter in them. What is happening to these bugs? Betsy Nix, Hernando, Mississippi

They look like hummingbirds everywhere!

Date: Friday, Jun/7/2002.
I heard them for about a week now but I didn’t really see any, but today they are everywhere here, flying from tree to tree. This is the 3rd time I seen them in my lifetime the first time I was about 11 and terrified of them now I find them fastainating, they look like hummingbirds everywhere. Jackie Mabin, Rochester Township, PA

First Annual Cicada of Season Calls in Maryland

Date: Thursday, Jun/6/2002.
FYI. A Neocicada hieroglyphica was heard calling at 5:43pm (86 deg) on June 5, 2002 along Rt 235 near the intersection of Turkey Neck Road in Saint Mary’s County, Maryland. This was the first annual cicada heard so far this season and it beats the previous earliest known MD record by 5 days (June 10,2000 & 2001)for this species. “Hear” we go!!! John Zyla, Ridge, Maryland

Cicada activity near Pittsburgh

Date: Wednesday, Jun/5/2002.
I work near the Pittsburgh Airport and just today noticed shells on the ground around a couple of the trees and cicadas singing in the woods nearby. From what I understand their emergence was delayed because of some cold weather we had in May. I live in the South Hills and haven’t seen any at all. We were right on the edge of the last emergence in 1999 of another brood. I’m wondering what other areas around Pittsburgh have them, I recently bought a motorcycle and plan to do a lot of riding starting now, but want to avoid areas where they may be. I don’t want to get hit by them, I would think they would hurt! Sandy, Pittsburgh, PA

Cicada Surprise!

Date: Wednesday, Jun/5/2002.
June 5, 2002 See our message of June 3. Since our research said that full adulthood occurs 4-6 days after emergence we went out to listen for the cicadas choruses. SURPRISE! We didn’t hear a sound. More cicadas. Humdreds of them. All stages again. Even some on the Hollys. Two on the Dogwood. They really love the big Oaks. More pictures taken: 15 of them. Research says they do not destroy, only occasional “flagging”. They do not bite. They do not sting. They have only sucking mouth parts. They do not transmit disease. They sure do FASCINATE!What’s going to happen next? O and E Montgomery , Natrona Hgts. Allegheny Co. PA

W = war

Date: Tuesday, Jun/4/2002.
Yep that’s right, locusts and cicadas know when there is going to be a war and they write “W”‘s on their wings. I’m scared… I hope the Indians don’t nuke us! Virgil, California

They are every where!!!!!

Date: Tuesday, Jun/4/2002.
Last week my wife askewd what is that noise. At first I said frogs, only becaues it rained the night before and I figured that was whatthey where until I started to notice all of the skins on the trunks of the trees. They where far off in the distance then this morning I noticed the sound closer and then looked up and to my amazement to see thousands flying in the air around the trees. I’ve been playing with the dead ones but wondered if they would bite or sting. Loked up on the net to find out more info and to find out that they are very harmless. Now my curiousity will be stronger. Here they are quiet at night but all day long they don’t quit! They are ugly but cute. Explain that!!!!! Ray , Sewickley, Pa

Mothra ATTACKS!

Date: Tuesday, Jun/4/2002.
Someone has aready mentioned a Godzilla-type movie sound, and I’m inclined to agree. While I don’t know too much about these little buggers (ha!), this variety (small, dark abdomen) seems different than last “awakenings” (large, green abdomen). Is there any truth to this? Mike Kartje, Carbondale, IL

It’s over in Clinton

Date: Tuesday, Jun/4/2002.
Brood XXIII activity seems to be finished here in central Mississippi. I have heard no songs and seen no fresh specimens since June 2. However, a Tibicen species has emerged here and is now producing a nice evening call. Bill P. Stark, Clinton, Mississippi, USA

Locusts Markings Indicating War or Peace?

Date: Tuesday, Jun/4/2002.
We heard of this story, but really didn’t believe it about the 13 yr old locusts until we saw one this weekned. The story is that if the locusts wings shows a visibl W or P that it indicates peace or war for the next 7 years. We saw one that dropped from the ceiling to the porch on Sunday afternoon and it was clearly a “W” on the wing. Anyone ever heard of this before? Pls email me if so at bonniejeancarter [AT] earthlink.comThanks! BJ Carter, Milledgville, TN

nature seems cruel

Date: Tuesday, Jun/4/2002.
Wow, what a strange and seemingly cruel world that we live in. These beautiful insects live beneath the earth for 17 years and emerge for only one week? I’ve always loved seeing the cicadas. When I was young, I used to use the spent cicada shells as clothes ornaments. The shells will hang onto your shirt all day. It freaks lots of people out, but it is a neat way to introduce children to this facinating insect. Gotta go now, we’ll talk in 17 years! valera hodill, West Deer,PA

Amazing Noise

Date: Tuesday, Jun/4/2002.
I live in the middle of town my parents live about a mile away at the edge of town. I have seen maybe on flying around home but my parents have tens of thousands. The sound is almost deafening. If you stay outside for a while it reminds me of the way your ears would ring at the end of a Ted Nugent concert. I wonder if they will damage the trees? It is kind of like an old Sci-Fi movie the way the sound goes up and down. Ken Wagner, Chester, IL

when are they leaving??

Date: Tuesday, Jun/4/2002.
We live near the woods and hear the cicadas all day and last night I kept waking up, either actually hearing them, or the sound is just buzzing in my head at night. It’s a little annoying, actually….when will they leave? DJ, Little Rock, AR

awesome

Date: Tuesday, Jun/4/2002.
I’ve never seen anything like it! It was my dog Willow that made me notice them emerging. Now we’re both fascinated by the numbers and the sound, though I have no desire to eat them, like Willow does. They’re certainly aerodynamically and navigationally challenged, so they’re fun to watch…but combine their incessant racket with a steamy hot southern Illinois day, and…enough, already! Thank you for this site! Lynn Winston, Carbondale IL USA

Millions of these things

Date: Tuesday, Jun/4/2002.
In 43 years, I’ve never seen so many of these things as I have this year. The sound is so loud, it’s almost frightening. Why are there a thousand times more cicadas around here this year than ever before? John Nemetsky, Carbondale, IL 62901

How do you kill these things?

Date: Monday, Jun/3/2002.
Please tell me HOW? Paul C., Hopewell, PA

brood xxiii

Date: Monday, Jun/3/2002.
Surfed the net this evening to find out what it is I’ve been hearing for about five days now. Brood XXIII sounds like a good title for a horror movie. The noise is deafening. We have about a dozen acres of woods. I trust they won’t do too much damage. It’s a bit creepy to look up into the treetops and realize that it’s no breeze that’s stirring them. aaron lisec, anna, illinois

It was like a horror movie!

Date: Monday, Jun/3/2002.
I live up near Erie and we haven’t spoted any yet. However this weekend we traveled down to my father’s in Beaver. As soon as we got out of the car we heard something…WEIRD. At first I thought it was a car alarm going off across the valley. I t soon became apparent that it was no alarm. I am 37 and can’t remember ever seeing them. There were thousands of them. My folks had a nice picnic planned for us but they kept flying around and falling out of the trees on us…Yuck! After I got over the initial creeps I started to examine them, they are pretty interesting. I am a teacher so was glad to find your cite so I could better explain to my students what I had experienced. Liz Barry, Beaver, PA

Where I’ve seen them

Date: Monday, Jun/3/2002.
There here in E. Liverpool, but patchy. Areas I remember them last time have none (yet?). I have seen them east in Beaver PA. and south toward Stubenville.This weekend went west and saw few toward Canton and none in the Loudenville OH area. Paul Weymouth, E. Liverpool OH

The latest

Date: Monday, Jun/3/2002.
Have reports of emergence in Austintown Township, west of Youngstown. That’s where I grew up and experienced them in 1968 (wasn’t here in 1985). Yesterday saw and heard very many in the picnic area below the dam at Jefferson Lake State Park NW of Steubenville. ray novotny, youngstown, mahoning county

17 year cicadas

Date: Monday, Jun/3/2002.
Emerged June 1, 2002. Hundreds of them. Holes 1/4 to 3/4inches in diameter. Front lawn primarily. Traveled up to 75-100 feet to our big Oaks. Very few paid any attention to our Dogwood tree. Ignored the Hollys. Pictures taken: 14, all stages about 10 am. on June 2. After returning home at 12:30 pm they had disappeared into the heights of the Oaks. Only traces were the holes, shells molted, and dead ones. We are excitingly awaiting the music of the adults in 4-6 days. O and E Montgomery, Natrona Hgts., Allegheny Co., PA

We got tons

Date: Sunday, Jun/2/2002.
Cicada were quiet in May because ofadverse weather. Arrived in fullforce May 23, O2. gil hoffman, Indian County PA, USA

where in Ohio

Date: Sunday, Jun/2/2002.
Where in Ohio are the cicadas. I have heard of Youngstown area and East Liverpool area. Any where else? Dan Kendle, Nortrh Canton,Ohio

they’re all over!

Date: Sunday, Jun/2/2002.
even tho i was only 3 the last time they were here, i remembered, and waited for them to arrive this year. well, they’re definitely here! they seem to think the brick on my porch is a tree and leave their shells behind there! then there are live ones crawling and writihing and doing all kinds of stuff right outside my front door. i think their noise sounds like something from the twilight zone! Mac, OHIO

The noise, the noise,aaahhhhhhhhhhh

Date: Sunday, Jun/2/2002.
Been workin in the yard, sound of them buggards drivin me crazy. All along the woods line are millions of em.They really don’t agree with my dog tho. He was eating them and then up-chucked a wad on our living room carpet. My wife isn’t too thrilled either when they land on her. Al , Economy Boro,Pa

me again

Date: Sunday, Jun/2/2002.
I have looked up the type of cicadas we are currently experiencing and we are not having the annuals we are having the ones that come along every 17 years. They are about 1 to 1 1/2 inches long and have black bodies and red eyes. priscilla, weirton, wv, hancock county

they’re back

Date: Sunday, Jun/2/2002.
i don’t know about anyone else but we have hundreds maybe even thousands of the darned bugs and my flowers are suffering. they have been here about a week now and i don’t think they are in full force yet. They start their singing, to put it mildly, about dawn around 6:30 am and stop when the sun goes down over the hill at about 7:00 to 8:00 pm and as the day goes on they get louder and louder till you want to scream! The neighborhood cats are enjoying them they consider them a great snack food. I live in what we call a holler between two hilly ranges and the nieghborhood is mostly family. There are about 10 houses in our valley. We have decided not to put our garden in this year… if the flowers are any indication of what is to come we don’t want to loose all of our garden plants… good thing I canned enough last year to last alittle thru this year. priscilla, weirton, wv, hancock county

Singing Times?

Date: Sunday, Jun/2/2002.
I’ll be visiting the Pittsburgh, PA area in the next week to see family and collect the cicadas that have recently emerged. Can anyone there give me some ideas on what time singing starts and stops during the day? Tim McNary, Ft. Collins, CO

I Saw 1

Date: Sunday, Jun/2/2002.
This morning on my way to get the mail I saw somthing unusual and when i took a closer look i knew right away what it was. There was only 1 and i found only 1 “shell” but i’ll be on the lookout for more. It’s actually very interesting what they go through to be here such a short period of time. I’m sure there will be more coming. Leanne, Indiana, PA

HAHA

Date: Saturday, Jun/1/2002.
HAHA YOU HAVE THEM AND WE DON’T! HAHA George, Toronto, Canada

Catch one

Date: Saturday, Jun/1/2002.
Someone should catch a few for pets and keep em for 17 years. I’m gonna go do that right now, Im surprized no one mentioned doing anything like that yet. Jon again, PA

i have seen them

Date: Saturday, Jun/1/2002.
i’ve seen them. they are loud. they smell. they look wierd. i don’t like them. they are ikky. they suck large monkey balls. zach, pa

Crazy

Date: Saturday, Jun/1/2002.
This is the first time for me seeing these things, of course, because Im only 13. The noise was annoying for about the first day but now I can fade it out in my head. Anyway, these things are crazy, I like it thought.I went outside a little bit ago with a hockey stick to scrape them all off our trees, we have about 5 acres. That was fun… not. I dont see how theyre scary, I made a Cicada Killa shirt, pretty cool stuff. I hope they don’t leave too soon! Jon S., Westmorland County, PA

thousands of cicadas

Date: Saturday, Jun/1/2002.
The noise of the cicadas is almost deafening. It isn’t even fun to go outdoors on this beautiful spring day. How long does this sound continue to go on? B Duncan, Carterville IL

Sighting

Date: Saturday, Jun/1/2002.
Hello! They are here! Eli, Zelienople

So Many Bugs!

Date: Saturday, Jun/1/2002.
I opened my door this morning and heard the strangest sound, kind of like machinery running down the road. I asked my family if they thougth it was the cicadas and no one thought a few bugs could make that much noise. Then I went outside and found out that the few bugs we had yesterday had turned out to be a massive amount of bugs today! And I guess since the noise is still out there it is the cicada song. I think I will stay inside until they leave for the next 17 years! Connie Stenger, East Liverpool, OH

They are here.

Date: Saturday, Jun/1/2002.
Just moved to the area three weeks ago. Have a nice wooded 1.5 acre lot. Don’t think I’ll be out side for awhile. There are buckets full of cicadas everywhere. This morning the sound started. Lara from Beaver(neighboring town) Made me feel a little better. Can’t describe the sound as singing. Looking forward to July. Kate, Baden, Pa.

They are here!

Date: Saturday, Jun/1/2002.
We are swarming in the little darlings. I thought three years ago we were lucky not to have too many. That was just a preview. We have buckets now! Began appearing 5/26, swarms on 5/31, do you think we can safely plan an outdoor picnic on 6/8? Happy chirping to all! Jim, Toronto, Ohio

Brood VIII Brood XXIII Old Message Board

Cicada Comments from May 2002

Post author By Dan
Post date May 31, 2002

cicadas are everywhere

Date: Friday, May/31/2002

I have never even heard of cicadas before, let alone seen them, but I think they are fascinating little creatures, although they are really disgusting and creepy looking. My parents have about 3 acres of land by the woods, and these things are just taking over everywhere…they are all over the garage, pavilion, shed, and even on the one side of our house, and our porch. There are holes all through our yard from them. The loud noises they make are unbelievable. It sounds as if there are millions in our woods…and there probably are…I don’t think I’ll be goin for a walk in the woods until there gone, for fear that they might fall on top of my head. — lisa, Indiana county, pa

Oh My ! They are everywhere!

Date: Friday, May/31/2002

I am not sure if I like them or not, they freak me out yet I am facinated by them. I have read all the stories from everyone and I dont agree with killing them. I think it would be impossible. they will go away on their own sooner or later. My dog eats them like popcorn and my kids are terrified. This sight will help them to not be so affraid.thanks. — Diana, Hymera, Indiana

Cicadas are here……Yuck!!!!

Date: Friday, May/31/2002

We have been hearing them for the last couple of days….but today they are everywhere. These are huge!!! I hate them! — Vickie, Sewickley, PA on the border of Allegheny and Beaver County

Locust appearance

Date: Friday, May/31/2002

Woke this morning to find the fences covered with our dear friends – locusts. I guess this is the year. Mineral Ridge, Ohio5/31/02 — Dianne, Mineral Ridge, OH

Found some cicadas and their shed layers on a van tire

Date: Thursday, May/30/2002

Found some cicadas and their shed layers on a van tire – I bagged them for my son to see and take to school to talk about. He wants to start a bug collection.They’re pretty cool… this is the first time I have seen them.I guess they’ve been around a few days or so? — Larry, Shelocta, PA USA 15774

Cicada Brood

Date: Thursday, May/30/2002

We have the little guys out in force in areas south, SE & SW of Little Rock. Also in the Forrest City area on Crowleys Ridge.Have been out for a week or so. — Jim Northum, Little Rock, AR

My journal now has pics!!!

Date: Thursday, May/30/2002

I’ve finally uploaded some of my photos to my ongoing journal “Angelfire so feel free to check it out. Looks like it’s almost time for me to make the trip to Illinois, so don’t EVEN think the journal is finished yet! — Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

Haven’t seen a one!

Date: Thursday, May/30/2002

Well, Seems my neighbors West and South of me have started to see the critters, but I have yet to see one. I’ll let you all know when I do! — Steve, Northern Allegheny County, PA

Cicadas

Date: Thursday, May/30/2002

We have tons of them here! We live in a little town near Youngstown, OH (between Cleveland and Pittsburgh)Just noticed all the holes in the ground and live and dead cicadas around May 27. — therese, Youngstown, Ohio

They’re here! Brood V in Eastern Ohio

Date: Wednesday, May/29/2002

Finally, they’re starting to emerge in our back yard, but so far there are far fewer of them than there were 17 years ago. We’re seeing birds snatch up more of them than we remember from 1985; is anyone else seeing this? — Gayle, Lisbon, Columbiana County, OH

Cicada clean-up tips?

Date: Wednesday, May/29/2002

Just my luck – the year we buy a house that sits in the woods, the cicadas emerge. I am horrified – our trees and shrubs are covered by hundreds of these ugly pests. I know there’s not much I can do to get rid of them now, so I’ll suffer inside until July. But what to do then? Does anyone have tips on disposing of their carcasses once they die? If so, or if you have other suggestions on dealing with these pests, please post them on this site. I need help! — Lara, Beaver, PA

Cicadas

Date: Wednesday, May/29/2002

We moved to our new home in Dec. 2001. We love it in the country. We have seen lots of new bugs, and one of them is the cicada. We have seen them in the ground and then have watched the transformation to the adult cicada. Very interesting! We have them in our yard by the thousands. I worry about the damage to my plants and trees. How much will they do? Is there something I can spray to get rid of the ones on the ground or in the trees or to stop the new eggs that will falling to the ground soon? Would really like some more info on these. Thanks, Angelaangelalangley [AT] hotmail.com — Angela, Robinson, IL, USA

Quite a Crop

Date: Tuesday, May/28/2002

Have seen several drying in the sun the past couple of weeks. While mowing the yard yesterday (about 2 acres on what we call Pleasant Oaks), happened to see hundreds of shells clinging to the underside of the oak leaves. I’m not a bug person, so don’t have a positive ID on the critters. The ones I’ve seen are black or dark brown with red eyes. — Frank Barncord, Marissa, IL

I DID SEE THE CICADAS…. AND THEY WERE REALLY COOL

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

I sort of like them

Date: Tuesday, May/28/2002

Call me weird but I really like the cicadas. We experienced the cicadas three years ago and I thought the loud sound was hilarious. I would call my mom up (she lives in Westmoreland County) and put the phone outside so she could here them.What is even better is that we are moving up to Greensburg this month so I won’t have wait another 14 years to hear their music.I was lucky though in that they never pelted me like they did other people!!! — Audrey, Morgantown, West Virginia

I sort of like them

Date: Tuesday, May/28/2002

Call me weird but I really like the cicadas. We experienced the cicadas two years ago and I thought the loud sound was hilarious. I would call my mom up (she lives in Westmoreland County) and put the phone outside so she could here them.What is even better is that we are moving up to Greensburg this month so I won’t have wait another 15 years to hear their music.I was lucky though in that they never pelted me like they did other people!!! — Audrey, Morgantown, West Virginia

Indiana emergence

Date: Tuesday, May/28/2002

I have received reports from observers in Sullivan and Posey counnties in SW Indiana that their emergence has begun. I would appreciate information from readers in Indiana and Ohio on when and where they observe cicadas. I have put Indiana and Ohio emergence maps online at www.msj.edu/cicada for those wondering if they should be on the look out. Thanks. — Gene Kritsky, Cincinnati, OH

cicada consciousness

Date: Tuesday, May/28/2002

The cicadas emerged here about a week ago. I was expecting the intermittent june bug chirp but am fascinated with their pervasive hum. The first morning I heard it I thought someone was using an electric saw on an infintely long board. I’m torn between the eeriness of the sound, the fascination with it and the fear of the individual insect which is extraordinarily sci-fi-ish. I will say I am avoiding my flower garden as they have taken up residence in the shade garden and I have a natural averision to any insect that large. (I read all those 50’s comics about giant bugs). I feel like I need to do something about them but don’t know what. I also think about whether I’ll still be living when their larvae next emerge. I finally decided to deal with them in a zen like way, just experiencing this phenomena and not worrying about what they are really up to out there. Oddly, I’m old enough to have experienced them at least twice before but can’t recall anything this extraordinary. — C. Keeley, Paducah, Kentucky

Cicadas bite

Date: Monday, May/27/2002

In 1985 I got bit, pinched, whatever you call it, by a Cicada. Gouged a 2-inch long piece of flesh from inside of my arm. Drew blood. They’re here, and I’m NOT happy. — Julie, Rochester, PA

PA brood’s here

Date: Monday, May/27/2002

We just got our brood this weekend. I live in the country and have them everywhere! I’m thrilled to see them and love hearing them. I’m in the minority here. Everyone else seems to hate them and wants them gone. I loved them when I was a kid and still do. I just wish they’d come out sooner than 17 years!!!! — Jan, Armstrong Co., PA

Holy Guacamole

Date: Monday, May/27/2002

we are covered up here! the ground looks like swiss cheese and the air is filled with the sounds of them! at least a few of them sleep late in the mornings so it’s not too bad until 9 or so….. — Edward, Arlington, Tennessee

cicada’s are everywhere

Date: Monday, May/27/2002

Just took a walk, the trees and ground are covered, holes in the ground. Have not seen this many in years. Will be glad when they are gone. — jane, Cobden, Il, Union County

Cicada’s EVERYWHERE

Date: Monday, May/27/2002

Oh the joy that filled my heart when we heard the beautiful song of the magicicada! We live in the country and are blessed with woods all around us. There must be thousands of them. My parents live in MS about 50 miles south of Memphis in a town called Sardis. They have as many as we do here. If you’re looking for them, come to our neck of the woods. 🙂 — Traci Stevens, Lexington, TN

Not many in MO

Date: Monday, May/27/2002

Found some cicadas in SE Missouri Sat/Sun but the numbers were far from overwhelming. Midday Saturday at Hawn State Park heard several individual Decim who sounded like they had just hatched. Late afternoon driving east on a county road in Perry County, suddenly about a mile east of I-55 my ears were hit by waves of Cassini even with the car windows down. Camped at a state forest along the Mississippi; saw one skeleton. The Mississippi was flooded and had been even higher. Lots of toads (especially Fowlers) who sound a lot like Decim. Hiked the higher-altitude area of the forest Sunday morning and saw a couple more skeletons and heard a few individual Decim. By far the best place I found was Trail of Tears State Park along the Mississippi north of Cape Girardeau. This was the only place I saw any up close. A couple dozen on plants along the hiking trail, decent numbers of skeletons, and good numbers of Decim singing around 10 AM. The rest of the trip was nearly fruitless as I headed farther south; much of the Bootheel was underwater and the region has few trees. I had high hopes for Big Oak Tree State Park, but it was mostly underwater. Heard a few cicada distress calls in the trees. If the majority of MO cicadas haven’t hatched yet, the delay is beneficial because the river needs to recede more. Am going to try several forested parks near the river south of St. Louis next week, but would be pleasantly surprised to hear/see any, having not encountered any in the STL region in 1989. — Eric, Missouri

cicadas

Date: Sunday, May/26/2002

We live about half an hour from Arkansas. There are a lot of them. Started seeing them the second week of May. Then the noise started, hard to listen to every day, very aggrivating. I thought the paper mill was doing someting than someone said it was those bugs. Be glad when they are gone. — Elaine, Bastrop, La.

Cicadas in AR?

Date: Sunday, May/26/2002

A friend of a friend mentioned the Cicadas were common at Pickthorne Lake- Northwest Lonoke Co, near Jacksonville. We hiked in the woods adjacent to the lake and could hear chorus of cicadas, but found only 3 live adults within reach,and a couple dozen cast skins. Anyone know where I can collect 100-200 adults for museums here and elsewhere?Let me know at bbbbugs [AT] earthlink.comThanks,Brian Baldwin 501-821-2934 — Brian, Little Rock, AR

Cicada sightings

Date: Sunday, May/26/2002

While leading a tour into Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument this past Thursday, The cicadas were singing on the hillsides. I caught a male and identified it as Cacama valvata. I turned this one loose, but later caught another on Saturady Afternoon. — Wes Phillips, Fritch, Texas

duration?

Date: Sunday, May/26/2002

can anyone tell me how long i must endure this auditory interruption…they are sooooo loud here it is uncomfortable to be outside…sorta like an x-files…thank you…mail me at relaxornot [AT] yahoo.com — laslo tolff, oxford, ms

re: singing

Date: Sunday, May/26/2002

they have been singing for about a week..this is a first for us on our 15 acres and hope we are here when they return.. — john & sandy, Alexander, AR

Millions of Cicadas

Date: Saturday, May/25/2002

Millions of Cicadas have emerged in Corinth, Ms. There are holes all over the ground where they emerged. The trees are full of them. They sing very loudly. Seems as if they never stop singing. I have found shells all over and have seen many of the live ones. If I sit under the trees droplets like rain fall on me. They have been in the area for about two weeks. This is May 25, 2002 — Sue, Corinth, Ms

Albino cicada

Date: Saturday, May/25/2002

Maria wasn’t kidding… the cicadas came out en masse today. I’ve got 3/4 acre and every tree has them, as well as the fence. There was a gorgeous albino cicada on the fence. Well, okay, not gorgeous, but pretty for a cicada. Enjoying the quiet today… it’ll be a madhouse by Monday. — Mary Lynn, Greensburg, PA

Cicada’s

Date: Saturday, May/25/2002

Okay, okay, this has been going on for several weeks. I can hear them on my deck and inside my house with the windows closed! Does anyone know when this will stop??? I love nature but this can be rather maddening after a month. What can I expect???Thanks!email–crdodd [AT] bellsouth.com — Glada Dodd, Murray, Ky.

spotted

Date: Saturday, May/25/2002

They have appeared in Greesburg, PA. They are everywhere. The noise hasn’t started yet, but it will start soon. — Maria, Greensburg, PA

Got Cicadas here

Date: Saturday, May/25/2002

We have tons of cicadas emerging from nymphal stage here – they are all over the lawn, and thousands up flying and singing! — Katie Weatherford, Calvert City, KY

fascinating

Date: Saturday, May/25/2002

I first heard the ‘flying saucer’ sound last friday, may 17. It’s been going on since then varying in loudness. We live on a flight path to the airport, and after one particularly noisy jet went over, the cicadas all shut up! and didn’t start over in full force until the next day. I heard someone out in the woods shooting a barrage of shots, but it didn’t even slow down their singing. — lesley, memphis, tennessee

May 24, 2002

Date: Friday, May/24/2002

We live on 8 acres. The Cicadas are thick here, I bet we have 5,000 or more in our trees now. They came out last night & climbed the trees ( which we have lots of) This morning they were hatching out of their shells. It was cool watching them. My dogs keep eating them, hope it doesn’t make them sick!! By tomorrow they will be out of site as they go to the TOPS of the trees. That is why you usually don’t see them but HEARD them. They live about 5 wks. — Debi, Richland, IN

Invasion in eastern Prarie and western Monroe County, AR

Date: Friday, May/24/2002

The cicadas seem to be near full force along U.S. 70 between Hazen and Brinkley. That includes DeValls Bluff, Biscoe, and Brasfield. The tredecassini are beginning their synchronized chorus and some trees are so covered that the cicadas almost appear to be part of the bark. Several teneral (newly-emerged) adults are still present, though, so the chorus will only grow louder in the days to come… — Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

They’re everywhere!

Date: Friday, May/24/2002

They really started emerging in full force last night. Can’t seem to get my dogs to go out now, they’re terrified! — Tony, Freedom, PA

Summary of Central Mississippi Brood XXIII Emergence

Date: Friday, May/24/2002

The chorusing is down to a fairly low level now and should be gone in a few days. Earlier I reported that 92% of the local population represented M. tredecim. By gathering the dying cicadas from nature trails in Clinton and Jackson I estimate 5.9 % of the population represented M. tredecula and 2.1 % represented M. tredecassini. Emergence hole density for several sites in the Clinton area was 58 per square meter. Emergence began on the evening of April 27 and continued through the evening of May 11 but 47 % of the population emerged on the evening of May 1 and May 2. I gave a presentation on the emergence at Clinton Community Nature Center on the afternoon of May 11 to a mixed audience of children, young adults and senior citizens and was surprised how few could remember experiencing such an event before. Most of the people present were living in the Clinton area for the 1989 emergence and several could have experienced the 1976 and 1963 cycles. Strangely, most people seem to forget about these events and have to go through rediscovery. That seems to be reflected in the traffic on this message board, as well. Oh well, it has been fun and maybe, if we’re lucky, we can see it again in 2015. — Bill P. Stark, Clinton, Mississippi,USA

no cicadas yet???

Date: Friday, May/24/2002

I live in Austin, TX and haven’t heard acicada yet….I think they should be out”chirping” by now. Does anyone know if they have a domant cycle??? — jimbob, austin TX

Addressing Alexa

Date: Thursday, May/23/2002

Sorry Alexa, they’re in your backyard. — Kelly, New Brighton PA USA specifically

They’re here!

Date: Thursday, May/23/2002

Well, after a short trip outside with my Golden Retriever it’s confirmed that the cicadas have arrived in Western PA! — Kelly, Pittsburgh, PA USA region

I am dreading this

Date: Thursday, May/23/2002

I have never seen one of these bugs before, because I come from a very Urban area in the North. I am scared of big buzzing bugs that fly. In fact, I freak out with almost every bug. I do not dig the thought of a mini invasion. How long does this last? I am seriously thinking of taking time off from work, so I dont have to have bugs land on me (just the thought gives me the shivers). Help!! I need answers. EMail them to me please: yankred [AT] aol.com. — Andrea, Maryland

cicadas!!!! you want some???

Date: Thursday, May/23/2002

Well it seems we have a bumper crop of bugs….Its been cool…but its seems to not have hampered the cicadas. They are singing right along none the worse for wear….If anyone would like some cicadas for their yard..I would be happy to send them to you…. — Jean Sherrill, Huntingdon tn carroll co

EEWWW!!

Date: Wednesday, May/22/2002

I hate those damn bugs! I can’t believe they are coming back. Does anyone know how long they will be here this time? I am about an hour south of Pittsburgh. Any info can be forwared to bre97 [AT] hotmail.com. Thanks! — Bre, Wheeling, WV

oh no

Date: Wednesday, May/22/2002

we have been hitting record temp lows here in pittsburgh – – – i hope the cicadas brought their scarfs 🙁 i read that extreme weather changes can prevent them from coming out…. lucky southerners!!! 🙂 — sinn, pittsburgh, PA

Brood VIII is here!

Date: Tuesday, May/21/2002

They arrived last Wednesday, May 15. They are everywhere! They even got into my office. Does anyone know how they might have gotten in & how to prevent that in future years? Thanks! — Jen Melton, Benton, KY, USA

“Singing” cicadas

Date: Tuesday, May/21/2002

As noted in my ongoing cicada journal (Angelfire) three of my cassini cicadas have been alive since I collected them on May 10. This — 12 days — will be the longest I’ve ever kept captive cicadas alive. Four of my tredecim cicadas are only one or two days behind. I give them new branch tips to suck on every day (an interesting pruning method if I do say so myself), and they still sing in the daylight or when my bedroom light is on. What’s funny is they get more vocally active when I listen to my CDs. Must have something to do with the sound frequency of the song chords or something. Right now their favorite seems to be Linkin Park by far, although they have “sung along” with Skillet, Metallica, SonicFlood, and Staind as well. =) — Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

Periodical Cicada Nymphs

Date: Tuesday, May/21/2002

We’re inthe field studying periodical cicadas, and your messages to this board are extremely helpful. We check it often. With regards to the gentleman from MS, with the lawn sprinkler problem, I must object to his plan to eradicate nymphs: First of all, periodical cicadas do not have chewing mouthparts, so it is impossible for them to chew wiring or piping, or anything else. Cicadas have sucking mouthparts and feed on plant juices. It is unlikely, even if a nymph tried to do so, that it could penetrate the materials used in underground wiring or piping. With regards to finding a nymph near a wiring fault, since there are cicada nymphs everywhere underground, if you dug up anything– wiring or anything else– you would undoubtedly find nymphs in close proximity to it. That does not mean that the nymphs could or did cause any of your problems.Second, the amounts of toxic chemicals required to remove the cicadas are so great that they may result in other, unintended damage. — John Cooley, On the road

Info on broodVIII

Date: Tuesday, May/21/2002

I have been expecting to hear some information on emergence of brood VIII in western PA and eastern Ohio.So far there are no reports of any large numbers being seen, probably due to the unseasonably cold weather for nearly the entire month of May.If anyone has information on the status of brood VIII please post or forward to Danak320 [AT] aol.com. Thanks, Dan — Dan Kendle, North Canton (Stark Co.) Ohio

Locusts are LOUD!!!

Date: Monday, May/20/2002

Wow! They are back and louder than ever! I thought they made an appearance every 7 years, but I just read that it’s every 17 years! lindasmith79 [AT] yahoo.com — Linda , Alva, Mississippi

“Flying” cicadas

Date: Monday, May/20/2002

I wouldn’t recommend that kite trick with the periodicals — for the cicada’s sake I wouldn’t have you do it with any species!! — but the Magicicada aren’t as strong of flyers as the annual Tibicen cicadas. Odds are with a periodical you’ll just wear the poor thing out after a few rather clumsy attempts it makes to fly around. — Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

Freezing weather!!!

Date: Monday, May/20/2002

OK, so maybe not quite freezing, but it’s still way too cold for mid May. I’m sure the cicadas don’t like it either. Hopefully the majority of them will wait until the weather finally breaks to emerge and start chorusing, so they can do it undisturbed. They are showing up at Lake Poinsett State Park in Harrisburg, AR with all 3 species present. I may go back out there today even though it’s not very warm. — Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

Nature’s croutons

Date: Monday, May/20/2002

Faye, I grew up in Carrollton and spent many a summer day hunting cicadas. I would listen for the wi-wi-wi sound and trace it to the tree (mostly young, small trees). If I could reach the branch it was on, I would pull it down very slowly and with my other hand, very quickly grab the cicida. Most of the ones I caught were the green and black ones (Dogday Harvestfly). I don’t think that Texas has the periodal cicadas.I live in New Albany, Mississippi now and there are these periodical cicidas everywhere. Even on the ground. My 3 inside cats wait at the door when I go outside in hope that I will bring them some “treats”. I’ve caught at least 50-60 of them. They are smaller than the green ones and the Grand Western cicadas.Has anyone tried to fly one? Kids love it. You tie a piece of thread around the eye section and then throw the cicada in the air. Kinda like a kite. — Amy, New Albany, MS

Date: Monday, May/13/2002

Commencement at Ole Miss was well attended by students and their families.Also attending were The Grove`s family of cicadas. At points throughout the festivities there were the all too familiar cicada dance being performed by those humans who were surprised by cicadas on their legs,heads,ect. It brought welcome comic relief to a long,warm occaision — Ken , Booneville,MS

they are here!!

Date: Monday, May/13/2002

My 11 yr old son informed me on Mother’s Day that our front porch was covered in some type of “bug”. Being from the country I knew exactly what had transpired overnight. The cicada are everywhere. I watched a few emerge from their shell. Amazing! Beautiful colors. — Kim, Cordova TN

What’s that strange sound?

Date: Monday, May/13/2002

For the last 3 or so days I had been hearing a loud permeating sound that I had thought was some kind of machine. (I live in the city but near a wooded area) Finally I decided that I was going to find whoever was running that darned machine and let him know that I was going to file a complaint for “disturbing the peace”. So, I jumped in my car and rode towards what I imagined was the source of the sound. After a few minutes of this I was no closer to finding anything, so I gave it up. The next day I was visiting a friend and was then informed of the true source of the sound. Everything then made perfect sense, as I had noticed some of the molts left on trees and has also seen a lot of small holes in the ground that had not been there before. I felt a bit dumb, but at least I know what it is now. — Tim, Jackson, MS

Creature Feature

Date: Sunday, May/12/2002

Last night we arrived to find our drive way with many of the bugs. To our horror this morning the ground, trees, and shrubs were covered with Cicadas. Tonight because their are so many you can hear them rustling in the bushes and on the trees, and the noise when they hit the ground. When you look in the trees you can already see some of the white balls, I guees this will be their larva. I noticed not as many birds out today. We have been in our home for eight years and this is the first time we have seen this. — Marda, Jackson TN Madison County

Cicadas everywhere!

Date: Sunday, May/12/2002

My front porch is covered with shells and dying cicadas. They are all over the grass and plants in the yard. There are thousands of little holes in the ground and even in the gravel driveway. I am concerned because a large majority of the bugs appear to be dying immediately after emerging from their shell. Does anyone know what could possibly be causing this? — Donna Wood, Jackson, TN

An Abundance of Cicadas

Date: Sunday, May/12/2002

I have never seen so many Cicadas in all my life! They have been here for several days now and their eerie hum fills the woods behind my house. Their little “shells” are clinging to everything in the yard. — Pam Martin, Silver Creek, MS

They are here.

Date: Sunday, May/12/2002

I am visiting my parents. When I drove up I heard a buzzing humming noise. The trees are full of the skeletons and I found a living one also. I plan to send these to my kids school so they can see. — cerise barrett, Holcomb, Ms. Carroll county

Cicada Music in Booneville!!

Date: Sunday, May/12/2002

Sunday May 12, 2002, Emergence at it’s peak in Booneville. — Max Phillips, Booneville, MS

They are everywhere

Date: Sunday, May/12/2002

A few days ago I started noticing little holes all over my yard. This morning I went out & noticed at least a dozen “shells” on the back of my house. I looked up into the trees & there were hundreds.(I live in an area with many large old trees.) Then I looked around some more & discovered the insects were everywhere! They are in all my trees, bushes, & other plants. I hope they don’t eat too much!!!!!! My yard is NWF certified as a widlife habitat. I guess I have one more critter to add to my list — Marcia, Memphis, TN

Bugs divided

Date: Sunday, May/12/2002

We live in McNary County and Cicadas are covered from here to Pickwick Dam about 30 miles, but on the other side of the line to Hardaman County they are only a very few why is this? We live on Hwy 57 which comes from Memphis to Pickwick and they are jumping counties this is so wired. At our home there are so many our hummingbirds even left. — Becca, McNeary County, TN.

Cicada Emergence

Date: Sunday, May/12/2002

Children came running into the house this morning very excited about a whole lot of white and black bugs everywhere. After my investigation,the cicadas are here. — jermaine butler, Memphis TN.

“A” Cicada?

Date: Sunday, May/12/2002

“A” Cicada, meaning one? They are covering my house! What should I do? — Kim Sharp, Savannah, TN

They are here!

Date: Sunday, May/12/2002

I’ve seen Cicadas around here all my life, but tonight I got a surprise. I started seeing these beetle-looking bugs crawling around in my utility room. This room has a door to the backyard, and it was open. Soon I noticed several more of them in there, crawling around, but unlike a beetle, they seemed to be having a lot of trouble! I asked my husband what they were but he didn’t know, and then I remembered seeing the discarded ‘shell’ of a Cicada, (which everyone calls locusts around here). So I asked my husband if they might be locusts coming out of their shells. He said no, but I kept on inspecting them, and I could see the wings through the shell, so I was pretty sure that’s what they were. Anyhow, the population in my utility room was growing, and frankly, that many huge bugs in one place totally gave me the creeps! I went around to the back yard, and my WHOLE ENTIRE back yard is covered with them! They’re hanging from my hostas like x-mas decorations! I’d seen thousands of holes in the ground, but since we’ve had a lot of rain here, I thought they were where birds had dug up worms. NOT! Anyway, most of them in the utility room have emerged now. They’re ‘drying off’ I guess. They are still that whitish color. I haven’t seen any in the neighbors’ yards, so I guess we got the whole family tree in our backyard. I’ve seen them all my life, used to see how many shells I could find as a kid, but I have never seen one while it was emerging before.I know you all have probably seen this a bunch of times, so it might not be a very interesting story to you! Sorry it’s so long as well. Enjoy your Cicadas this summer!Jenn in KY — Jenn, West KY

Cicada Date 5- 10- 2002

Date: Saturday, May/11/2002

We have so many their dried shells are sticking almost every where and they are making their noise in the wood’s now, A solid roar. I wonder what purpose they serve some say they come every 7 years to Prune rhe Forest Dell. — D. Helton, U.S.A .Iuka ,MS.38852

Feeding the cicadas…

Date: Saturday, May/11/2002

The cicadas feed by inserting their mouthparts into small branches and extracting the fluids from them. To stay alive for two or three weeks, as they can in the wild, they really need living vegetation, i.e. rooted into the ground. But if you want to keep some captive, and who wouldn’t, the next best thing is to keep them provided with fresh branch tips. Replace them at least once a day, if not twice. I found putting the cuttings in water seems to help. But again this is not a perfect substitute for the real thing. Have fun=) — Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

Cicada Sightings

Date: Saturday, May/11/2002

My yard is covered with cicadas and thelittle holes that they emerged from are everywhere. They sound like one wouldexpect flying saucers from outer spaceto sound like. This is the largest “batch” of them in many years. — Vernon, Savannah, TN

We got Cicadas

Date: Saturday, May/11/2002

They are all over my door step. I found one that was a few seconds from completly emerging so I was able to watch this cool creature. I collected a couple of them to take to school and I will let them go afterward. I came to this site to find out what to feed them. They make great music too. — Sidney Clayton, Potts Camp, MS

Finally got my hands on some

Date: Saturday, May/11/2002

I found light emergence beginning in western Lonoke County at Holland Bottoms Wildlife Management Area near Jacksonville, AR Friday, May 10. Only a small area, about 25 square yards, is showing activity at the moment. I found about 30 emergence holes, 20-30 skins, and 6 adults — 4 cassini, 1 decula, and 1 tredecim. Some of the holes had nymphs staring out at me. The population there will be very dense, though; I saw it in 1989. I’ll be journalizing all of my cicada adventures over the next few weeks. Anyone interested in following along can find it at “Angelfire“. I’ll be updating regularly. — Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

Cicadas as bait

Date: Saturday, May/11/2002

I would not recommend using Cicadas as bait. In the Missouri Ozarks we had periodicals in 1985 and 1998. In 1985 they were fish magnets; usually a Cicada that fell in the water wouldn’t last long before being consumed by a fish. With the sunfish distracted feasting on Cicadas, I caught more big bottom feeders on worms. Saw a kid catch some sunfish on Cicadas.In 1998 I used a couple nymphs as bait and caught Bluegill, and had no success using adults. I tried using a black buzzbait with red eyes, thinking it would simulate the natural cicadas, and had no success whatsoever! The fish could obviously distinguish from the real thing. Witnessed many fish gobble cicadas who had fallen into the water. The noisy males beating their wings in circles got the most attention from fish.It is possible to catch Bass and big Bluegill on them, but there are several problems. They’re fragile and don’t stay on the hook well. A hooked Cicada doesn’t struggle as much as a natural one that fell in the water, so fish are less likely to notice it. I would only use them as an emergency after running out of bait.Am planning to fish on my trip to see/hear XXIII, but won’t try using any as bait.Annual cicadas are probably too big and too difficult to catch to be a feasible bait. — Eric , Missouri

I seen one !!

Date: Saturday, May/11/2002

I woke up this mornin and when I skid back the covers there was one of them cicada locustes grabbed on to my peter ! — Maury Hicks, Benton, TN, Polk co

Cicada’s used for fishing bait?

Date: Friday, May/10/2002

Does anyone know if Cicada’s are a good bait for fishing? Seems like other bugs that only hatch out in the springtime are good bait (ie Mayflies). — john, Lexington, TN

Have they arrived?

Date: Friday, May/10/2002

Have there been any sightings in Ohio or Penn.yet?Thanx — Colin Green, Toronto Ontario Canada

13-year Cicadas in Central Arkansas

Date: Friday, May/10/2002

13-year Cicadas are emerging in small numbers at Lorance Creek Natural Area in southern Pulaski County, Arkansas. — Michael D. Warriner, Little Rock, Arkansas

Final Posting on Brood XXIII in Clinton

Date: Friday, May/10/2002

The husk count this morning (May 10) has dropped to 27 (all M. tredecim). The choruses continue to be strong and egg laying is conspicuous on young black cherry and oak in my yard. I did another survey of emergence holes in my yard and found an average of 58 per square meter. — Bill P.Stark, Clinton, Mississippi, USA

Cicada

Date: Friday, May/10/2002

Oh I have Cicada!!just planted 50 Lilac starter plants and the next thing I know ,Cicada are all over them! my house and yard has them everywhere….how long do these things stay around? what a mess! sherryost [AT] hotmail.com — Sherry, Paris, TN

More on Brood XXIII in Clinton

Date: Thursday, May/9/2002

The husk count through this morning (May 9) from my porch for the 12 day emergence period starting 28 April now stands at 2184 with 92.6% representing M. tredecim. Several mating pairs were observed yesterday afternoon including one pair of “doomed cicadas” with deformed wings. I am also beginning to find dead or lethargic males on the ground. Emergence in Clinton continued through May 21 during for the 1989 group and chorusing continued through the first week of June at various sites in Hinds County. It seems unlikely that this action will persist that long in 2002. — Bill P. Stark, Clinton, Mississippi, USA

Thankz For Everything

Date: Thursday, May/9/2002

For Some Reason My Teachers Think This Site Isnt Cretible And They No Longer Will Let Me Come On A “Regular” Basis But I Will Keep In Touch ! I Love You Guys ! See Ya Around And Thankz For Everything !!!!! — Warren Edwards, French Camp, Mississippi

What do they look like before they’re nymphs?

Date: Wednesday, May/8/2002

Hi from CT. My son and I dug up some large redish brown bug cases today when we were putting in a flower bed. Could these be cicadas? We put them in a jar and covered them with dirt in hopes of seeing whatever they are hatch. I hope they’re cicadas, but I’m thinking they probably are some other insect. — Jody, Ansonia, CT

Hundreds emerging!

Date: Wednesday, May/8/2002

I have been finding hundreds of medium size cicada arriving out to the ground for the past 4 nights. I’m talking hundreds EACH of these nights. It’s almost like a plague here and I’m wondering if any one else has experienced this kind of activity. It’s something I’ve never seen before and I’ve lived here all my life. — Sondra, central Louisiana

more emerging

Date: Wednesday, May/8/2002

This afternoon I counted 277 new emergence holes in my front yard!I put matches in the ones I counted before! Man, talk about prolific! The husk count is tremendous! — karen butler, Meadville,MS,Homochitto National Forest

Warren

Date: Wednesday, May/8/2002

Brood XXII emerged in parts of southwestern Mississippi last year (2001), but that’s the only other brood I know of that inhabits the area. Sorry to say, most likely it will be 2014 or 2015 before you see any more after these. — Nick, Jonesboro, AR

All In Full Swing !

Date: Wednesday, May/8/2002

I Am Begging To Here Faint Chatter From The Woods But Nothing Loud, Me And Scott Are Studying This Phenominea Together. But Let Me Ask This…. This Brood Will Be Back In 13/17 Years Will Another Brood Emerge Next Year (from 13/17 years ago) I Hope So ! I Want To Keep Seeing Them ! Well…Keep Up THe Good Work Everyone ! Ill Check Back Here To See What You All Say ! Thankz For The Answers To My Other Questions…BYE ! — Warren E., French Camp Ms.

Clinton update on Brood XXIII

Date: Wednesday, May/8/2002

I’m playing catchup on the husk counts for the past few days. Through the morning of May 6, a total of 1824 husks were found on my porch. 92% of these represent one species, M. tredecim, and the two smaller species together make up the other 8%. As of this morning (May 8) the number emerging continues to decline at this site in Clinton, but chorusing continues to be strong. — Bill P. Stark, Clinton, Mississippi, USA

BUT WAIT>>>>>>>>>>>THERE’S MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Date: Wednesday, May/8/2002

meanwhile back here in the forest brood XXIII is going strong! The shells are everwhere and I even had the oppertunity to watch one emerge! The trees here look as though they are alive with all the movement and the chorus behind my house is deafening! This is truly a great experience! Shame on you Mr. Waters fron Jackson! We’ve had a flea infestation in our area and believe me…………. the cicadas are much more pleasant company! Leave them alone, they’ll be gone soon enough or maybe you’d rather have love bugs!!!!!! — Karen butler, Meadville,MS,Homochitto National Forest

Cicadas in North Central Louisiana

Date: Tuesday, May/7/2002

Large Cicada brood (XXIII?) have been emerging since March 3, 2002 in North Central Louisiana. Location is about 40 miles south of Monroe, La. — Duane Cruse, Grayson, Louisiana

Cicada Invasion

Date: Tuesday, May/7/2002

Cicadas everywhere!!!! When you go outside you can’t step without stepping on one. They are so loud it sounds like some kind of big machine is running on the next block. — Susan Price, Brandon, MS USA

Cicada Population

Date: Tuesday, May/7/2002

This has got to be a record population of Cicadas. Has weather conditions played any part in this or is it truly a 13 year cycle? — Deb, Water Valley, Mississippi

how many eggs do they lay

Date: Tuesday, May/7/2002

how many eggs do cicadas lay — jimmy, mcpherson k.s. u.s.

cicadas

Date: Tuesday, May/7/2002

how many eggs do they lay — jimmy, mcpherson.K.S.

what is the purpose

Date: Tuesday, May/7/2002

why are these little things here in the first place what purpose do they serve?[another question]do they have some wierd Greek mytholigical meaning or story to them? — scott leeper, french camp,mississippi

french cicada

Date: Tuesday, May/7/2002

anybody know the info about thetype of cicada living in southern france. My wife is french and we go there often to visit her family. These cicadas are always there, every year. Just wondering about their lifecycle. In france they are called”Cigale” lot of local art and souvenirsrelating to les cigales.thanksHH — Heyward Hodges, Jackson MS

We got them buggers here now.

Date: Monday, May/6/2002

I couldn’t figure out what they were. No wings yet, just funny looking bugs under my two sitting stumps in the front yard. I guess they just dug their way up. — Michael, Leach, TN

To Lisa and Warren

Date: Monday, May/6/2002

The cicadas in Florida and Alabama were most likely Brood XIX, which I generally observed to be less impressive altogether than this brood, XXIII. Also north FL and south AL are on the very fringe of the Brood XIX’s range, whereas Brandon, MS is smack in the middle of Brood XXIII’s range, which may or may not be the reason for the difference.As for Warren over in French Camp, this will last about 3 to 4 weeks and it only happens once every 13 years. Enjoy it while you can. I know I will if they ever show up in Arkansas… — Nick, Jonesboro, AR

Still waiting

Date: Monday, May/6/2002

You guys in Mississippi are having all the fun! You guys STINK!! — not really 😉 — I’m still anxiously awaiting the arrival of our Homopterous oddities here in NE Arkansas. And, um, about that cicada-killing guy down there… I bet we could all take him if we work together. 😉 Anyway, you guys have fun down there while it lasts! — Nick, Jonesboro, AR

CICADAS

Date: Monday, May/6/2002

We are located in Western Pennsylvania, very close to the West Virginia state line. Yesterday, (5/5/02)we found the first sign of the 17 year Cicadas. We were transplanting some periennials, and there they were just about to emerge from the soil. I’m sure we will be hearing their songs very soon! — KF, hOOKSTOWN, PA

I found the mother lode…

Date: Monday, May/6/2002

Got home this evening and heard twice the volume than yesterday. looking up in a bradford pear tree, it lookedlike the bark was alive. got my binoculars out to get a close look andthey are just covering the tree. One about every square inch. HH — Heyward Hodges, Jackson MS -Cicada Central

Message for Warren

Date: Monday, May/6/2002

Warren: Try following the links on this site to the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology page on Periodical Cicadas. I think most of your questions can be answered there. — Bill P. Stark, Clinton, Mississippi, USA

CICADAS ARE OUR FRIENDS !

Date: Monday, May/6/2002

Dont Kill Another Cicada YOU SICK FREAK ! YOU GIVE YOUR KIDS KNIVES TO KILL THEM?! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE ?! They Are Our Friends…I Love To Study These Creatures. Its So Fasnating I Wish They Would Keep Comming For Months…YEAR ROUND ! Here At The Academy Its Quite Intresting. Myself And 3 Others Are Doing A Extensive Study On Them. I Wish Someone Would Respond To My Previous Messages Though…Anyways STOP THE KILLING WERIDO ! — LONG LIVE THE CICADAS — Warren E., French Camp Mississippi

They’re Here!

Date: Thursday, May/2/2002

Yesterday afternoon (May 1) a few songs songs could be heard in the woods near my home in Clinton. Today at noon a much more pronounced low hum was audible. The chorus is underway. Emergence last night got the attention of people all over the Jackson metropolitan area and my own back porch looked like a cicada war zone. When it all settled out there were 485 M. tredecim husks and 54 of the M. tredecula/M. tredecassini small type husks. — Bill P. Stark, Clinton, Mississippi, USA

cicada

Date: Thursday, May/2/2002

We have cicadas in Florence, MS. My question do they bite humans? I have a two year old and I don’t want her bitten. My trees look like they are moving we have so many in our yard. — Renee, Florence, MS

I have them in my own yard!!

Date: Thursday, May/2/2002

On April 28, 02. I woke up as usual, but nothing was usual when I looked out my door, there were hundreds of Insects on my house and porch. I didnt know what to do, so I just swept it away, and then it happen the next 3 mornings also, I finally called the pest control people, who came out and told me my insects are none other then Cicadas. I have hundreds of them, and there shells, I hate to kill them but what else can I do, my kids are scared to come outside… — Paula, Jackson Mississippi

Brood XXIII emergence in full swing

Date: Wednesday, May/1/2002

Exuvia counts from my porch are: 15, 16, 27 and 107 for the first 4 nights of the emergence (April 28-May 1). 92.7% of these represent M. tredecim. In addition to the Clinton emergences, a few other sites have been noted. These include Hazelhurst, Byram, Raymond and Jackson all in central Mississippi. — Bill P. Stark, Clinton, Mississippi, USA

Brood VIII Brood XXIII Old Message Board

Cicada Comments from April 2002

Post author By Dan
Post date April 30, 2002

More news on Brood XX111

Date: Monday, Apr/29/2002

One of my current entomology students brought a single specimen of M. tredecim to class this morning that was also captured April 28 in Raymond, Mississippi (Hinds County) about 10 miles southwest of Clinton. She reported seeing hundreds of husks and emergence holes at this site. — Bill P. Stark, Clinton, Mississippi, USA

Any new links?

Date: Sunday, Apr/28/2002

I’m glad to hear the emergence of Brood XXIII has begun. If anyone finds any new cicada site links please email them to us. — Dan, Cicada Mania Headquarters

Brood XXIII emergence

Date: Sunday, Apr/28/2002

The emergence of Brood XXIII is now underway. This morning (April 28, 2002) I have 15 husks and several adult Magicicada specimens on my back porch. The adults are all M. tredecim but two of the nymphs which failed to emerge represent one of the smaller species. Clinton Community Nature Center, where I serve as a volunteer, will hold a program on May 11 on the nature trails to celebrate “Cicada Magic”; if the 2002 emergence is as impressive as the 1989 one we should all get an earful. — Bill P. Stark, Clinton, Mississippi, USA

a new experience.

Date: Friday, Apr/26/2002

For all my life I heard the cicadas and didn’t know what they were. I thought they were just locusts reacting to the hot summer weather, like hearing the crickets at night. Just recently I found out they were cicada’s, and that they emerge from the ground at night and molt on the trees. I find this to be interesting and when they appear again this year I will for the first time more closely be observing them around me. I will have joined the cicada mania 🙂 — stelcha, chicago, ill.

Aaahhh… The Tension mounts!

Date: Friday, Apr/26/2002

Judging by the recent posts… I’d say the anticipation is beginning to grow. I’ll be monitoring the activity of Brood VIII personally and gearing up for several (tons of) field trips! The next few weeks will be getting very interesting!Les — Les Daniels, Fremont, Ohio U.S.A.

Mississippi and Louisiana

Date: Thursday, Apr/25/2002

About that reporting on cicada emergences, I especially urge you to post here if and you see Brood XXIII emerging in Louisiana or Mississippi. They tend to emerge sooner to the south because of the warmer climate, and a report of emergers to my south will give me a much-needed heads-up here in northeast Arkansas. — Nick, Arkansas

Let us know if the cicadas are out…

Date: Thursday, Apr/25/2002

Hi – I’m part of a group researching the periodical cicadas, and we are interested in any reports of emergences of Broods XXIII and VIII so that we can plan our field work as we go. Send messages to david.marshall [AT] uconn.edu. Thanks! — David Marshall, University of Connecticut

Where?and When? to view Cicadas

Date: Thursday, Apr/25/2002

I am hoping to make a trip to easternPennsylvania or western Ohio.Could someone please sugest a hot spot and abasic time line of the Cicadas arrival?Thank You — Colin Green, Toronto,Ontario,Canada

Utah cicadas

Date: Wednesday, Apr/24/2002

Last week (April 18) near Oak City, UT, I found fresh cast skins of a very small cicada, probably Platypedia or Neoplatypedia spp. The weather vas very poor, so I didn’t see or hear any adults “clicking” These species do not sing. — Tim McNary, Ft. Collins CO

Thanks for the help!

Date: Wednesday, Apr/24/2002

I’ve been working on this tiring and big insect project for school, and I needed some info on cicadas. The FAQs helped me a lot! I jotted down some things on the periodical cicada. I had all I needed–right here! — M’ia, California

view me — i am a cicada

Date: Wednesday, Apr/24/2002

greetings from illinois. we cicadas eagerly await brood xxiii. visit www.fpmrecords.com to see my beautiful self. — chirpy, illinois

You might want to fix one of those FAQ’s…

Date: Tuesday, Apr/23/2002

One of them says adult cicadas don’t need to eat. But actually they do, at least Tibicens, anyway. I used to keep the adults in captivity to test their life span, and usually I would cut small tree branches and place them in water in the cicadas’ enclosure. The cicadas used their food tube to bore through the thin bark and suck juices out of the plants. But when I let the branches die or neglected to provide cicadas with fresh ones, it greatly shortened their life spans. This happened pretty consistently so I think it’s safe to say the adults have to eat, at least the Tibicen cicadas for sure. — Nick, Arkansas

Don’t worry, Alexa

Date: Tuesday, Apr/23/2002

Yep, they’ll be visiting western PA in about 3 or 4 weeks, but not to worry. They’re nothing to be scared of. All they’ll do is make a lot of noise and clutter your yard for about a month, then they’ll disappear for 17 more years. And the populations are spotty so they might miss your pad altogether! =) — Nick, Arkansas

Are they coming

Date: Sunday, Apr/21/2002

Are the cicada really coming this year, 2002, to Pennsylvania. I live in Southwestern PA and was curious as to their arrival. I am very frightened of these insects-can you please ease my worry? — Alexa, New Brighton

10 lbs Cicada

Date: Sunday, Apr/21/2002

A 10 lbs cicada bit the ear off of my pet pitbull — Paul, Widnoon

giant cicada

Date: Sunday, Apr/21/2002

Holy s***, we seen a ten pounder.Bit off my pit bulls ear. Tried to catch that sucker but I damn near lost a finger. — Hez, templeton pennsylvania

Brood XXIII in E. Arkansas, SE Missouri and W. Tennessee

Date: Monday, Apr/8/2002

Brood XXIII should emerge here within the next minth. Can hardly wait. Check out my newly-remodeled Cicadas of Arkansas site at Angelfire and it shouldn’t surprise you… =) — Nick, Arkansas