Dedicated to cicadas, the most amazing insects in the world.
Welcome Australian cicada maniacs! David from Sydney let us know: “The cicada season around Sydney, Australia has started with the emergence of “green grocers” (Cyclochila australasiae) in the lower Blue Mountains. Grass cicadas have been out for a month. Get ready Antipodeans!!”. Thanks, David. Enjoy the Green Grocer/Yellow Monday links below (thanks to Laura for the inspiration):
Cicadas: Superfamily Cicadoidea.
Australian Cicadas are not marsupials!
Date: Saturday, Sep/27/2003
If you know what is the exact # of species of cisadas? none of yo beez wax, somewhere
Date: Saturday, Sep/27/2003
Are they like taking over the world or something? ?, ?
Date: Saturday, Sep/27/2003
I found a cicada on the grass in my yard today.I scooped it up in tuperwear and brought it inside.I was I went to ask.com to see what they eat and this site came up.I read a question asking will cicadas bite or sting?The answer was no, but they do pinch,scratch,and sometimes they lay eggs on you!Not like I would ever touch it.GROSS!!!!!Some one asked what they eat and the answer was a tree or something like that.The guy that answered said it was best to let it go.So when I’m done online I’m gonna open the tuperwear and RUN!!!!I hate bugs.I don’t know why but I wanted to keep it as a pet.No spiders though.I can’t even look at spiders!!! what my name is, this planet
Date: Saturday, Sep/27/2003
Could anyone tell me if Pigeon Forge will be effected by the 2004 cicadas. I’m taking a girl scout troop there mid-June and am concerned about perhaps the emergence overpowering the trip since there are so many trees there.
Julie, Cincinnati
Date: Tuesday, Sep/23/2003
I HAVE HEARD MANY COMMENTS ABOUT WHEN CICADA’S WILL BE HERE. IS IT 2003 OR 2004? I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL BUT NOT AS MANY AS I REMEMBER IN CINCINNATI OHIO THE LAST TIME IT TOOK PLACE. MELISSA, HAMILTON, OHIO
Date: Sunday, Sep/21/2003
Lots of cicadas still buzzing away here. Things got off to a late start due to the cool spring that we had. It’s doubtful that anyone reporting cicadas this late in the year are hearing Magicicada. They are normally the first ones out in any areaNext year, Brood X, probably the most widespread emergence, will be emerging around June 1st. Don’t miss it! If you happen to live in an emergence area, you won’t miss it! MIke Frey, Lititz PA
Date: Sunday, Sep/21/2003
Sorry I forgot, my cicada resembles the last picture above Kathleen, Mississauga, Ont, CA
Date: Sunday, Sep/21/2003
I initially found this bug and thought that was not native to our country, upon contacting the U of T campus in Mississauga. I found out what it was.It was almost 2 inches long and it was dying, I kept it until itdentification and then let it go (dead). I was totally fasinated by this insect.
Date: Saturday, Sep/20/2003
My mother found a cicada on her clothes when she came home in the morning from her daily paper route. She put it in a paper bag and placed it in the trash and it crawled out and suprised my step father. My mother has lived here for 20 years and claims she has never seen themin florida, but in her previous home in Wisconsin she saw them. Do they not really come to florida because of the heat? Heather & Patti, Ft. Myers FL
Date: Saturday, Sep/20/2003
While cleaning up after Hurricane Isabel, we found a tree with many cacada, but we are unsure if that is what they really are. Zack, Wilmington, NC
Date: Monday, Sep/15/2003
I was sitting out in front of my office building and there I saw a green cicada dead on it’s back. It has been exactly 17 years since the first time ever exposed to them. RSF, Mclean, Virginia right outside of DC
Date: Monday, Sep/15/2003
Just picked one up off my patio, not sure of sp. Found him upside down but he’s still got a little life in him. Have him in the house now to show the kids tonight. Grew up on W. coast so never saw these growing up. My first introduction to them was actually in Okinawa (HUGE sp. like small sparrows!)Looking forward to brood X next spring. Stacy, Odenton, Maryland
Date: Sunday, Sep/14/2003
I have not seen any, just the usual Tibicens but I believe I heard some Magicicada. In our maples along the street, there were some strange lower-pitched two-syllable calls amid the usual Tibicens “eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee”. I haven’t seen any bodies other than Tibicens (whether from die-off or the numerous cats and dogs in the neighborhood capturing them). Shanda, West Dundee, IL
Date: Saturday, Sep/13/2003
my mom found one of this lttle guy on my front porch we took it in the house and i made him a home this is the 1 night he spent here but i dont know if can set him free missing claws but he has his leg and i dont think he can fly he fly like he is drunk and i dont know if i should let him go tim nichols, windsor ontario canada
Date: Friday, Sep/12/2003
Some activity here in west suburban Boston – exoskeletons found on vertical surfaces and some sporadic noise heard. Nothing like I heard or saw on the Cape years (17?) ago when there were hundreds of exoskeletons, constant noise (sounded like a flying saucer landing) and tips of pine tree branches were falling off the trees! Warren Thompson, Bedford, MA
Date: Friday, Sep/12/2003
Hi cicada people,I am in a research lab (see CicadaCentral) that is working mostly on one tribe of cicadas – the Cicadettini. These cicadas are found all over the world, but there are only two described species in North America – Melampsalta calliope and Melampsalta floridensis. These are very small (less than 1 inch including wings) green cicadas found in grassy fields in Central/Eastern NA. Does anyone out there have any recent specimens/photos/song recordings that they would be willing to trade? Any information on these cicads would be welcome! Please email me at cicada900 [AT] yahoo.com.auHappy cicada hunting! Kathy, Storrs, CT
Date: Wednesday, Sep/10/2003
We’ve seen nymph shells in our yard both last year and this year. They’re not in great quantities, so I assume they’re not the 17 year cicadas? What kind are these, and can I expect to see them each summer? They’ve come around in July and August of 02 and 03? Barbara , Toms River, NJ
Date: Wednesday, Sep/10/2003
when is the next cycle for the circadas?They seem pretty loud in my neck of the woodsMike mbgilbert [AT] aol.com, silver spring, maryland
Date: Wednesday, Sep/3/2003
I just noticed the cicadas in my western Pennsylvania neighborhood recently. It seems late in the year for this; could it be due to the amount of rain that we have recieved this year? And, what type of cicada is this and at what interval do they return? Thanks, Wayne and Pat 9-3-03 Wayne Cosentino, Avella, PA USA (western PA)
Date: Tuesday, Sep/2/2003
For the past two weeks it has been excellent cicada viewing! Almost nightly I get to see little ones coming out of their shells and then big ones making the end of August music. Just beautiful! Elizabeth, Chicago, IL
Date: Tuesday, Sep/2/2003
It was quite an education learning about not only Cicadas, but those very impressive wasps that like to kill them. Those wasps get my respect. It has ben a very auditory summer. Keith Brigode, Washington Lake, Michigan
Date: Tuesday, Sep/2/2003
We make CDs of sound effects and recorded a daytime bug that might be a Cicada and need to know if it kind of makes the sound of rattlesnake in the trees. We have several recordings and just need to confirm that is the name of the bug. http://a1freesoundeffects.com Bob Sound, Houston, Texas
Date: Monday, Sep/1/2003
My daughter is planning a Maine wedding for August 2004. Will there be hordes of periodical cicadas there, as there will be here in Maryland? Mary Jansiewicz, Baltimore, Maryland
Date: Monday, Sep/1/2003
I found this dead insect on my porch. Did anyone else find a cicada in MA? I thought they come around every 17 years Diane, Melrose, MA
Date: Sunday, Aug/31/2003
I was outside playing softball,there was a cicada sitting on the tree above me. It started screaching really loud and wouldn’t stop! So I picked up a stick and hit the cicada,it flew off and came back in about 5 seconds. I hit it several more times and it never left, so I did. Shelby, Parsons,Kansas
Date: Sunday, Aug/31/2003
I kept seeing these big flying bugs and was not sure what they were. Cicadas!! I came upon this site! Thanks, it’s fascinating. Now I know that they don’t bite or sting. I’ve always heard them but didn’t know what they looked like. I saw one on my back deck on it’s back and thought it was dead. I touched it very lightly and it didn’t move. I turned it over but it didn’t seem alive, so I got the broom and swept it off but when I did it made the noise and so I guess it was alive. I turned it over and let it stay there and the next morning it was gone. I’m kinda afraid of them because of their size, but I love them too! Do they sometimes sleep and appear dead?Thanks again! Jan, suburban Atlanta
Date: Saturday, Aug/30/2003
I moved to the Greater Cincinnati area almost 2 years ago… they all tell me that NEXT summer(2004) is the cicada season but the research I’ve done indicates otherwise… that the season was actually 2002. What’s the deal? And just how bad is it going to be? I know they can’t hurt me but it sure sounds gross from the stories I hear… Tell me about it… Rebecca, Covington, KY
Date: Tuesday, Aug/26/2003
have seen several in the past few days . . . noisy little critters! doreen, cincinnati, oh
Date: Tuesday, Aug/26/2003
We have identified this Cicada through the web. Is it native to Canada? We have never seen them before. They range up to three inches long (body). We are interested to know more about this new inhabitant of our back yard.Thanks! Susan James, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Date: Tuesday, Aug/26/2003
I am scheduled to get married outside in June 2004. Are the Cicada’s going to ruin it…..? Also I saw seven on my trees in the front yard today. (08/25/03) Gwen, Cincinnati Ohio
Date: Tuesday, Aug/26/2003
My neighborhood yards are overrun with moles. I have heard that when the cicadas emerge, as they are beginning to now in my neighborhood, the moles will die off. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this? Judy, Cincinnati, Ohio
Date: Monday, Aug/25/2003
Do cicada also go by the name of Locus? Troy, Chicago
Date: Monday, Aug/25/2003
saw one last night hatch on my dogwood. very interesting. also, watched a bee kill one. guess he stung it – all the while the cicada was buzzing – sad nancey, gaithersburg, montgomery county, maryland
Date: Monday, Aug/25/2003
I know It can’t be helped. I hear them outside EVERY SUMMER, i can hear them going crazy outside now. I’ve decided to educate my self about them and I know that they will be here next summer. THe last time they were here was the year I was born (’87) and my parent’s horror stories of them being in blankets on cars and sidewalks are freaking me out. I want to know if there Is there any type of repellent you can put on to keep them from harassing you. They are pretty gross in my opinion so if you know of anything can you e-mail me so I can stock up 🙂 thanks! darealfolkblues [AT] yahoo.com Meagan, Randallstown, Baltimore Co, MD
Date: Sunday, Aug/24/2003
i bought a home in spring of 2002. we had a large swamp maple tree removed from our yard so we could put in a pool. around late july and august we found about a hundred or so holes in the ground and then cicada shells and cicads. now this august we found the same thing. my concern is that they will come up under the pool and eat thru the liner. i have found holes on the edge around the pool where they have come up and moved river rocks that are about two and a half inches in size.should i worry about them coming up thru my liner and that 7 or seventeen year myth i think is wrong. please help i am thinking about pesticides. dan, yardville, nj
Date: Sunday, Aug/24/2003
Just saw one outside my house. It was so cool sitting there all by its self. Then, all of a sudden, my dog, Gracie, ate that bitch. That was a phenomal moment to experience that. That’s It, Ice Rob cicada baby, cashville,tn
Date: Saturday, Aug/23/2003
Does anyone know of a cd for sale with cicada sounds on it? Trying to tape the sounds in my back yard to no avail.Several years ago I purchased a cd entitled “Frog Talk” which is the sounds of the springtime “peepers” Karen, Greensburg, PA
Date: Saturday, Aug/23/2003
This is an auditory experience of about 20 years ago. I had occasion to camp out at the Prince William Forest Preserve in Virginia. At sundown, the whole forest came alive with the chirping of singing insects, millions of them everywhere! It took my breath away. Their chirp is somewhere between a cicada and a katydid. I am a musician and I had my flute with me. I had to play along with them. That improvised melody is now a perminent part of my repertoire. Does anybody know what these insects are? Is there a recording of them? Send any replies to the above address or tinasparty [AT] yahoo.com Thank You Tina Andrus, 3 Madison St. Apt 3, Schenectady, NY, USA, 12305
Date: Saturday, Aug/23/2003
this last week, there have been a lot of Cicadas and inevetably my cats will get one… I try to rescue them but I got to one today and his wing was damaged. Will this heal? or should I just put him in a tree somewhere away from the cats?. Diana Diana Howe, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date: Saturday, Aug/23/2003
Apparently the 17 year cicadas are early! it took us a while to figure out what they were as the “nymphs” look like a cross between little crabs and ugly roaches. And the babies are going to start dropping from the trees?That’s pretty gross.They’re all over the Baltimore City Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus. Todd, Baltimore, MD
Date: Friday, Aug/22/2003
I have recently gotten into an argument whether cicada’s sting or not – I say they don’t – what is the real answer? John, Columbus, Ohio
Date: Thursday, Aug/21/2003
I came out to our pool the other day in the morning, and saw this large bug, which resembled a large fly, floating around. It was still living, so I got it out of the pool, and it moved very slowly. It was dark, probably black in color, and had clear webbed wings. Is it possibly a cicada in Southern NJ this time of year. Thanks for any info you can give me. ps it didn’t make any noise. Melissa, Cherry Hill, NJ
Date: Thursday, Aug/21/2003
this morning my husband and i were walking to the car to go to work, and i looked down on the sidewalk and there was a shell and a foot away from it was an adult! it wasn’t completely dry and ready to fly, it was still kind of green and slow. i moved it off the sidewalk, where i was afraid it would get stepped on. the rest of the one block walk to the car we found 7 more shells. when we came home and walked on the opposite side of the street we found at least 10 more, all over the trees. i’ve never seen this many at one time. we found 2 or 3 last year in the same area. one tree had 5 on it that i could see. just found this website. i’ve loved cicadas ever since i was little. when i was a teenager i was lucky enough to see an adult emerge and dry in our backyard. it took hours and was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Melanie Wilson, Oak Park, IL
Date: Thursday, Aug/21/2003
…I am used to hearing the cicadas in the morning. Strange this year, usually they come out late june early July…very late start this year and they are singing at night! Making up for lost time!!!! ;-)McKenzie McKenzie, Bucks County
Date: Wednesday, Aug/20/2003
Hoping that someone might help me identify the ‘bug’ around here lately which has been very noisy, it is much lounder than the common cricket, which I can still hear at night, the sound is a middle to high pitched sound similar to that of a cricket, sounds like it is coming from the trees in my back yard. Any information and perhaps sound link would be great, email to tmdelisle [AT] yahoo.com Todd, Southbridge, MA
Date: Saturday, Aug/16/2003
Do cicada migrate? I remember hearing about a type of cicada that pays a visit to Arkansas every 7 years. I was wondering if that was even possible for these critters. mickel, MA
Date: Friday, Aug/15/2003
The other morning I found this shell of an insect. About five minutes later I saw a large camouflage looking insect with large wings. I was wondering what it could be and then it finally dawned on me that it was a Cicada. I didn’t expect them for another 4 years. But now I will be searching every night for more nymphs! Very interesting and exciting insects. Katie, Lynwood, IL.
Date: Friday, Aug/15/2003
Tonigh I was sitting outside and a new “baby” cicada landed on my arm, I was so excited to finally see one again , as I have heard them all summer long here, but have not held one since I was a kid in texas. This is the first summer I can remember hearing them in minneapolis so I am glad to see this little guy, I took a few pictures as I am a photographer and then I let him go……. jmcfadden, Minneapolis
Date: Thursday, Aug/14/2003
August 14, 2003. The trees are alive with the sound of music. It has been Seven Years since the last attack. They are Back! Randy, Milltown, Middlesex County, New Jersey
Date: Wednesday, Aug/13/2003
all night about 40 cicada nymfs covered one of my trees. i just watch turn into cicadas for while. it was cool , but long! corey, marine IL
Date: Wednesday, Aug/13/2003
Just moved to Chino Valley,Arizona a few months ago.I asked around about the noise in the trees.They all said cicada’s.I love the sound!!! So country and summery.I found a dead one,and it rattled when I picked it up.I went to a neighbors tree,and saw one crawling backwards down the trunk,rattling every few seconds.I hope that they will be back next year too.Chino Valley is located 15 miles north of Prescott,Az.They’re loaded with them too!!! I’m glad that I decided to do some research to learn more about them.Some of the long time locals were also saying locusts or katydids.Now I can inform them with a not so,and show them the picture,and identification of a cicada.Thank you for the information, Katie Katie Meyer, Chino Valley, Arizona U.S.A.
Date: Monday, Aug/11/2003
on August 2nd, my husband found our cat playing with a large brown bug. He put it in a flower pot so the cat couldn’t get it. Later he found it hatching. Turned out to be what he thought was a large green butterfly/moth. It just hung on the edge of the pot and was gone the next morning. Clemson Extension told me it was a Cicada. We’d had them in all our trees 2/3 years ago but never saw one, just heard them. We thought they only hatched every 17 years but Clemson says there are some that hatch every year. Wish I’d taken pictures of the hatching. Jeannie Burton, Greenwoood,S.C.
Date: Sunday, Aug/10/2003
Although as a kid I heard the Cicada “song” it wasn’t until last week that I overheard the neighbour say “Yuck! What is that?!”I went over and saw the skin of a cicada still clinging to the fence. The neighbour saw a TV special that night, coincidentally, on the Cicada…that’s how we found out what it was.A day later I found 8 or ten skins on the trunk of our 60 year old spruce tree.My wife won’t let me bring them in the house, so I am content to view photos of the wee beasties on the internet. Harvey, Toronto, Canada
Date: Sunday, Aug/10/2003
Two days ago I found a cicada covered in fire ants. Thankfully the ants couldn’t break through his rough shell and he is fine. I know very little about cicadas except from the helpful info on this site. I believe he is a nymph, he is dark brown with no wings and looks very much like the cicada nymphs in photos.I tried to put him back in the tree, but he keeps falling back down to the ant-infested ground, so I have kept him in a plastic container with soil, branches and leaves, but he just keeps crawling –quite awkwardly– in circles. What should I do with him? Thanks for your help!~Heather Heather Dearmon, South Carolina
Date: Saturday, Aug/9/2003
has anyone in queens seen any cicada’s this year. this is the first time in 20 years that i haven’t seen them! where are they? jerome rosovsky, whitestone, NY
Date: Saturday, Aug/9/2003
It attached us today! We ran and ran ans ran until it finally lost track of us… we were scared but thankfully we are slick ones ;). Thank the Lord for quick feet! YAA HOOO! Annie and Dani, In the backyard
Date: Saturday, Aug/9/2003
The backyard has recently been abuzz with many cicada. I woke up this morning and found one of the beautiful creatures on the kitchen window. I remember these insects from my childhood. Do they emerge every summer or just every so years? They are really neat to see! Amanda Vargo, Charlotte, NC
Date: Friday, Aug/8/2003
Found two cicadas within a 5 mile radius emerging from their shells around Winchester this week, in case anyone wants to know ..they’re heeere! Leann, Winchester, IL
Date: Friday, Aug/8/2003
what are the expected dates of emergence of cicadas in baltimore, 2004 we are planning a june 26 wedding d kimmitt, baltimore maryland
Date: Friday, Aug/8/2003
How do cicadas get there eggs into the ground? Kyle, Fayette, Al
Date: Wednesday, Aug/6/2003
My daughter and I were rollerblading in our apt complex. I was looking up at the sky and saw a giant bug flying very clumsely. At first I thought it was a june bug. I thought it’d be too late in the season for that. It had something hanging off of it, and it’s wings almost looked too small for it’s huge body. I guessed it was a cicada. It was a dark color. I’ve been seeing them occasionally lately. Sometimes it looks like two dragon flies stuck together, but it’s just one bug. I’m just curious what kind of cicada this would be if it is one. It had to be, it was huge. Lisa, Milwaukee, WI, USA
Date: Wednesday, Aug/6/2003
I dropped by your site to find a picture of a cicada, to show a friend in CA who’d never seen one. I thought y’all would like to know that there’s a cicada beanie baby available:http://shop.store.yahoo.com/incrediblegifts/twitcictybea.html Cobwebs, Manassas, VA
Date: Monday, Aug/4/2003
I found a Cicada in Enfield, CT. 3 weeksago. They are still around. I caught one yesterday August 3rd. How long will they be here in CT.? What species are they? I heard they only last 3 days? Also, found alot of underground wasp mounds and tunnels. Mary Lou Enfield,CT. Mary Lou Timura, Enfield, Connecticut
Date: Monday, Aug/4/2003
can we become overrun with these wasps? We use the back yard all the time. Or, want to anyway… Any HELP!!! would be appreciated!! P Rathbone, still in Oneonta
Date: Monday, Aug/4/2003
Boy are they freaky! But upon checking out what I can in the last few minutes before finding this site, it seems as though they (wasps) are pretty docile and “beneficial” according to the “wasp people”. My question is which could become more of a problem? I want to put my terror aside and leave the wasps alone if cicadas are REALLY destructive..but are they? (next post) P Rathbone, Oneonta,NY
Date: Monday, Aug/4/2003
I’ve been hearing cicadas lately and it reminds me of when I was a kid in Villanova,PA. We used to find the “shells” all over and hear them all the time. Loved it. Have not been inundated by them ever, but!- today my dog discovered what I’ve found out to be a “cicada killer wasp”! When I went over to see what it was I saw two more…(see next post)… Patricia Rathbone, Oneonta NY
Date: Saturday, Aug/2/2003
I just moved from MN to FL. I am very used to the constant buzzing of cicadas during a MN summer. Now that I am in FL, I am hearing a much louder buzzing, very similar to that of the sound in MN, but so much louder. It can actually be heard with windows shut, a/c on, and earplugs in while taking a nap. Are these cicadas, or some other type of insect. I have encountered so many strange new creatures down here…. Danni, Melbourne
Date: Saturday, Aug/2/2003
Was quite taken by the HUGE bug my mini dachshund found on the walk in front of my house. I had never seen such a thing. I called and woke my mother at 6 in the morning and described the monstrous bug, she assured me it was a Cicada. WOW! Lisa, Warren, Ohio
Thursday, Jul/31/2003
I’m trying to find out how long it takes for the nymf, once its out and on a tree to emerge. Kids found one hanging on a tree and we would like to get pictures of it coming out. Its been overnite now wondering if this process takes days like a cocoon. Mike, NJ
Wednesday, Jul/30/2003
The first Tibicen linnei of the year was heard in Leonardtown, St. Mary’s County, Maryland on Friday, July 25 at 5:04pm (86 deg). The first Tibicen davisi of the season was heard in Ridge, St. Mary’s County, Maryland on Saturday, July 26 at 2:45pm (86 deg). And last but not least, our largest cicada in MD, Tibicen auletes was also heard on Saturday, July 26 at 8:23pm (81 deg) for the first time this season in Ridge. Everyone is now present and accounted for as far as the cicada fauna of Southern Maryland is concerned. (Even though auletes and davisi are about 4 weeks later than normal.) We currently have 7 species calling: N. hieroglyphica, T. auletes, T. chloromerus, T. davisi, T.linnei, T. lyricen and T. robinsonianus. John Z, Cicadas of the Mid-Atlantic, Southern Maryland
Wednesday, Jul/30/2003
The first Tibicen linnei of the year was heard in Leonardtown, St. Mary’s County, Maryland on Friday, July 25 at 5:04pm (86 deg). The first Tibicen davisi of the season was heard in Ridge, St. Mary’s County, Maryland on Saturday, July 26 at 2:45pm (86 deg). And last but not least, our largest cicada in MD, Tibicen auletes was also heard on Staurday, July 26 at 8:23pm (81 deg) for the first time this season. Everyone is now present and accounted for as far as the cicada fauna of Southern Maryland is concerned. (Even though auletes and davisi are about 4 weeks later than normal.) We currently have 7 species calling: N. hieroglyphica, T. auletes, T. chloromerus, T. davisi, T.linnei, T. lyricen and T. robinsonianus. John Z, Cicadas of the Mid-Atlantic, Southern Maryland
Monday, Jul/28/2003
I have about 200 of them flying around in my yard. They will be here two more weeks. Donna, LaCrosse, Wi
Monday, Jul/28/2003
Just found one today, 28 July 03 James, Charleston, South Carolina
Friday, Jul/25/2003
are there Cicada’s in michigan..?
and if so do they build nest under the ground..?
at my boyfriends house out by there one barn (he lives on a farm) there are bricks ont he ground by the service door and there are id say about 20-25 hold in the ground and large bee looking bugs coming in and out of them mvoing dirt and such..! they look sorta like the pictures i’ve seen of the Cicada’s/..? if not would anyone know of another bee/bug that looks like the Cicada does..? thanks for any help…
michelle
chellibelli20 [AT] comcast.com michelle, flint,mi,
Thursday, Jul/24/2003
Hi!
CKB’s have been visiting my yard since July of 1998. They are big, here by the hundreds, non agressive, dig holes, swarm in the heat of the day and leave in mid August.I have seen them carrying a Cicada bigger than they are and dragging it into the hole the bee has prepared. They are fasinating to watch. It is amazing how they have stayed in my yard and not gone into my neighbors yard,(for which they are grateful) even where the land come together and there is nothing to stop them from going there. I guess I am the choosen one!!!When they first appeared, I was frightened of them and knew nothing about them. I had them treated by a Professional exterminator which cost $150 and it did not faze them.The only down side, besides scaring the daylights out of those who do not know about them, is the dirt piles they leave, that become bare spots in my lawn. Areas where they have dug before, seen to have recovered nicely though.Anyone wanting info, may contact me at: MadonnaMa [AT] aol.comDonna Donna, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Tuesday, Jul/22/2003
Even though T. chloromerus and lyricen have been calling sporadically since July 5, it wasn’t until today they hit there normal calling peak. Driving to work this morning, I heard numerous T. chloromerus calling from the trees that lined the road for the first time this season. This event I call the First Day of Abundance usually occurs on or near the 4th of July! So, the cicadas still seem to be stuck in a three week time warp. Tibicen davisi, linnei and auletes have yet to begin calling! However Neocicada hieroglyphica has been more abundant this year and been heard calling from more localities than in the previous 8 years of recording cicada calls in this area. T. robinsonianus has begun calling in a few localities, but is not common. John Z, Cicadas of the Mid-Atlantic, Southern Maryland
Tuesday, Jul/22/2003
Last Sunday, Wil Hersberger and his wife Donna, came down to Southern Maryland to get a photo of a live Neocicada hieroglyphica for a book project Wil is working on. For the past 8 years, a local population has been regularly calling near where I live. The only Neocicada I have ever been able to capture however, involved falling from the tree it was in and scrapping my leg in the process. I did capture him even though one of his wings was damaged. So when Wil asked to come down to capture a live Neocicada to photograph, I wasn’t quite sure we would have any luck. Needless to say, the local population picked this year to stop calling! Luckily, 2 days before Wil arrived I began to hear loud choruses of Neocicada on a local navy base. We decided to try this site first. The Neocicada were very abundant, but seemed to be calling from high up in the trees. Chestnut Oak seemed to be the dominant tree species in each woodlot we heard the cicadas. Luckily we captured our first male on a small black cherry tree about 10 feet off the ground. We noticed that when the Neocicada choruses get going, they seem to pulsate as a group in a strange sounding chorus. We also observed that the captured male acted more like a horsefly than a cicada as it flew around in its cage. They also seemed to be calling everywhere, but were very hard to actually locate. Each male that was low enough for us to attempt to catch, seemed to evade capture at the last second. We tried a second site, and out of sheer luck I threw my insect net up about 20 feet along the side of a chestnut oak and it hit the tree 6 inches above a calling male! He flew straight into the net as it fell to the ground, screaming all the way down. I couldn’t believe our luck! I think Wil was as shocked as I was! We were getting a little frustrated at our luck up to this point. Our third capture involved the blood shedding. As I climbed to attempt to capture our third calling male, I actually grabbed it with my bare hands out of frustration (too many branches prevented the use of a net), just before I fell down from the tree, scrapping my leg in the process! So there I stood, bleeding but elated that I had captured another Neocicada! I just wanted to relate that story, because most of the other species of annual cicadas come quite easily to lights, but Neocicada has been quite a challenge to capture. Wil took some great shots of the 3 males and you can view one of them at www.natureimagesandsounds.com/NH.html. I just wanted everyone to know there was a story behind that picture! John Z, Mid-Atlantic Cicadas, Southern Maryland
Tuesday, Jul/22/2003
One of my favorite bugs as a kid, I always look forward to their song in the summer. This seems to be a good year.
The photos are great. I’ve never seen pictures of multiples marching along!
20 some years ago, when I was in an old-time band, we played at some festival in Ohio (?) where there were thousands in the woods. The chorus was so loud and they would land on you as you walked around. It was like the best of childhood – except I was an adult and the ‘girls’ were more interesting… and interested! But somehow, they still weren’t impressed when you had a bug on your shirt. sigh
Thanks for the great site jd, atlanta
Sunday, Jul/20/2003
I had a dark tree leaf green cicada land on my shorts (which were the same color), I showed my dad the two almost fang-like holes in my thigh. I didn’t think that they bite. Maybe it was a spider. This particular cicada was about 1.3 inches and it wasn’t moving very fast. It was scary.7-20-93 christian, Chicago
Friday, Jul/18/2003
Does anyone know where I can find pictures really good pictures of cicadas with their wings spread open? I am trying to find more cicada photos like the ones found at www.thais.it/entomologia/I can’t find good photots on a solid white background.
Does anyone have any advice for websites?
thanks,
V.
**** My email address: valenniansky [AT] hotmail.com **** Valennia, NYC
Friday, Jul/18/2003
Does anyone know where I can find pictures really good pictures of cicadas with their wings spread open? I am trying to find more cicada photos like the ones found at www.thais.it/entomologia/I can’t find good photots on a solid white background.
Does anyone have any advice for websites?
thanks,
V. Valennia, NYC
Tuesday, Jul/15/2003
Re my previous message: I have measured another cicada here and it has a 1″ black body with touches of orange, and 1″ wings. The mark on its back is an half-circle of 4 orange dots. Its eyes are dark gray-green. -G G, Alturas, Modoc Co., Calif.
Monday, Jul/14/2003
Heard the cicadas in the trees the last few days. Finally saw one today on a hammock on our porch. Never saw any emerging from the ground.My last sighting of cicadas – 1968 at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. Thousands. John Dagg, Newhall, California
Monday, Jul/14/2003
Site: Alturas, in Modoc Co., Calif. (close to Oreg. and Nev.) I grew up in Austin, Tex. with cicadas lulling every summer away with their rising-falling chorus as background music. We would see a few shells, see only a few adults. Same here in N. California. They’ve been singing for several weeks. And making very damaging slits (for eggs) in many new branches of our young apple, pear, cherry, and aspen trees. Cicadas, like so many things, are best if they remain in the background. But what can we do, we’re all in this life together. I would like to know the name of “our” Tibicen cicadas here. The ones I’ve seen have black eyes and black bodies with touches of orange (thin stripe across the back, and on some joints.) The one I measured had a body 3/4″ long, and wings 3/4″ long. Thanks, -G G, Alturas, Modoc Co., CA
Monday, Jul/14/2003
This past weekend John was kind enough to lead me around to find some Neocicada hieroglyphicas. We were successful in capturing a few so that I could get some nice photos of a book project. John was great and I am certain that he will post a log of the days events 🙂
Please check out the photo of N. hieroglyphica here:
[url]http://www.natureimagesandsounds.com/NH.html[/url]
Wil Hershberger, Hedgesville, WV
Monday, Jul/14/2003
Mike,
If the field was wooded 17 years ago, or there are wooded areas near by, you might have unexpected guests. Good luck,
Wil Wil Hershberger, Hedgesville, WV
Wednesday, Jul/9/2003
We found a dying ‘creature’ outside that many of my friends have identified as cicada. We are currently experiencing flood levels and are wondering if he was carried in by the storms. I have yet to find a picture of it on the web. It is approximately 4.5 inches long and resembles cicada with the body,legs,wings, and eyes, and has some mean looking mandibles. Anyone want to view a picture of it, please email me. mmjjdd [AT] email.com. Thanks. MD, Sidney, Ohio
Wednesday, Jul/9/2003
The other day my kids saw a 1/2″ to 1″ hole in the ground outside our apartment. My daughter saw what she thought was a worm inside the hole. I told her to leave it alone because we didn’t know what it was. The next day we knew it was not a worm. The ‘creature’ was near the top of the hole & I could see what looked like a beak & a beady eye looking out, & two ‘hooks’ with ‘claws’ under the ‘beak’ and eye. It looked strange, and we (our neighbor & I) didn’t know what it was. A braver child from the complex dug it up & we saw that it had a shell like an armadillo (sp). I remembered seeing a shell like that on an episode of CSI & that it could be a cicada. It didn’t make it, though; it died. After spotting that, I did some research & learned more about the cicada. Since that hole appeared (about 2 weeks ago) we have found about 7 more holes. I do not remember seeing these holes or cicada shells (we found one of those this morning) the last four years we have been here, & I see that the next brood is not supposed to be around here (Kentucky) until next year. Is it likely that there can be that many “pioneers” the year before? And aren’t they emerging late in the season? (We have had a very very wet spring this year – near-record; & now it is very very dry…). Just curious! cecilre [AT] yahoo.com Becky Cecil, Lexington, Kentucky
Wednesday, Jul/9/2003
Although Tibicen chloromerus (Morning Cicada) and Tibicen lyricen (Lyric Cicada) both began calling on July 4th, (their latest start in 8 years) they are still sporadic and haven’t begun their normal abundant calling yet. T. chloromerus is calling sporadically during the morning hours, N. hieroglyphica is still calling during the mid-day into evening and T. lyricen finishes out by calling near dusk. Tibicen davisi, linnei and robinsonianus have not been heard so far this season in Southern Maryland. John Z, Cicadas of the Mid-Atlantic, Southern Maryland
Tuesday, Jul/8/2003
My fiancee is concerned about our outdoor wedding next year on May 30th. It’s about 30 miles north of Baltimore. From what I’ve read on the boards here, that will be right in the middle of Brood X’s next coming out party. Cicada’s typically come out in the woods, correct? So if our reception is in a field (near the water), we shouldn’t have a large amount, right? Any help would be appreciated. Mike, Bel Air, MD
Monday, Jul/7/2003
Early last month I saw hundreds (perhaps thousands) emerge from my yard and the immediate vicinity over a 2 week period. I saw birds get most of them every morning. Apparently, they got all of them or something else did because I never heard any singing in the trees and I don’t see any mature ones anywhere now. Strange. Ken, La Grange, IL
Sunday, Jul/6/2003
I grew up in Phoenix AZ and know what a Cicada sounds like so when I heard one today in my Dogwood in Portland Oregon I was mystified. Not only did I hear it I walked right up to the tree and could see it. Too high to grab and photo but I could clearly see it. I have lived here eighteen years and have never heard Cicadas before. I thought I heard one last year but decided I was crazy. LeeAnne, Portland Oregon
Friday, Jul/4/2003
We only heard the cicadas singing for about a week maybe a week and a half. I haven’t heard any for a while now. I think the birds feasted on them until they were gone. We had flocks of seagulls all over our neighborhood that came just to eat them. When they couldn’t find them on the ground they would fly and brush the branches of the trees with their wings to knock some out of the trees. It was fascinating to watch. The seagulls are gone now. As far as I know we have not had any mosquito spraying in our village. Sue, Flossmoor, IL
Thursday, Jul/3/2003
The first annual cicada for the season was heard last Saturday, June 28 in Saint Mary’s County, Maryland. A male Neocicada heiroglyphica, a “July Screamer” was heard calling at 11:36am in Hollywood, MD (it was 76 degrees). This is almost 3 weeks later than normal over the last few years. As of today, July 3 no Tibicen chloromerus, davisi or lyricen has been heard yet. This is the latest in the season for the last eight years for all three species. This is two weeks later than normal so far… John Z, Cicadas of the Mid-Atlantic, Southern Maryland
Thursday, Jul/3/2003
My Son and I had the joy of seeing many cicadas early this last June. We brought some indoors and stayed up till 1am watching them transform. In the morning we let them go. A few of them could not seem to fully pull them out of their shell. Since I knew they would die anyway, we fed them to our lizard. One seemed perfectly fine but the wings never unfurled and hardened all curled up. The rest were all healthy and happy and sent on their way. We had a great time and found ALOT. The best time was right after sundown. You could walk down the sidewalk and see them cross the sidewalk, heading for a tree. Many climbed into my sons fort and up our shed wall. The weird thing is, it is now early July. I have not yet heard any “singing”, and we thought we would have by now, especially since we saw so many. Could the mosquito spraying our city has been doing effected them? Michael and his Mom, Lombard, IL
Wednesday, Jul/2/2003
Hi,Just recently I have been hearing and seeing a number of cicadas in my neighborhood. I don’t recall having ever seen them in this area and I’ve been living here since 1961. Are they indigenous to the region, freshly introduced, and/or of a transient nature. I wasn’t sure about them so I caught one in a jar. I figured if it was the beginnning of a stoppable plague, why not stop it. Now that I see that these are not the only ones and that they’ve been seen here before, I’ll let him go.BW Brian W, West San Fernando Valley, CA
Wednesday, Jul/2/2003
My husband and I live in las vegas Nevead and saw this thing on our patio. We had no idea what it was. So we got on the net to find out what it is. Where do they come from and does it migrate. We have never seen nor heard of this thing. Please let us know. chezerrae kaiser, Las vegas, NV
Monday, Jun/30/2003
I grew up in Phoenix where cicadas were common summertime occurrences. I well remember the loud drone every hot summer day, coming from our Palo Verde tree shading the driveway. I’ve lived in South Carolina for 16 years, and have never seen or really thought about cicadas here. Until today. I walked out on the deck and saw one. As I stepped closer it flew away. I was amazed. Has anyone else in South Carolina seen any this season? Is it the kind that come out only every 13 or 17 years??? More info, please! Jean Pennington, Greenville, SC
Thursday, Jun/26/2003
Tammy, The peak dates for Brood X of the periodical cicadas in Ohio and the Mid-Atlantic states will be from May 20 to June 20 depending on the weather. This will only happen once in 17 years in your location…I would stay home and enjoy and go out west on vacation after they are gone!!!! But that’s me 😉 John Z, Cicadas of the Mid-Atlantic
Thursday, Jun/26/2003
Brandon, If you can send a picture of the cicada (electronically) or if its dead, send it to me, I will gladly ID it for you. Please contact me at jzcicada [AT] hotmail.com. Thanks. John Zyla, Cicadas of the Mid-Atlantic
Wednesday, Jun/25/2003
My aunt found a really big Cicada in New Orleans, Louisiana on June 7, 2003. A bird had caught it and my aunt rescued it but it died. I can’t find a picture of this exact one anywhere, but it is mostly black with dark orange and green on its head. Brandon, New Orleans, Louisiana
Tuesday, Jun/24/2003
Having moved to La Penita in January, I was not familiar with the song of the “rain cicada”. It reminds me of the sound of the penny whistle made of tin that my grandfather gave me as a child.If you are familiar with this cicada, I would appreciate email info and a picture.Thanks,Joseph Joseph, La Penita, Nayarit, Mexico
Tuesday, Jun/24/2003
We live in Cincy and are working to plan a trip out west next year. I’m not the fondest of Cicadas and would like for it to coincide with the 2004 emergence. Do any ‘Experts’ monitor this message board that could give me some clue as to the peak weeks that they will be ‘out and About’?Any assistance is most appreciated! Tammy, Cincinnati, OH
Monday, Jun/23/2003
Heard my first “annual” cicadas last night (June 22) at dusk. They sang again this morning around 10:30 AM for less than a minute. Their calls last 10-20 seconds and are continuous in frequency without breaks. They don’t seem affected by the cold spring we had in this part of the country. In a couple of weeks, there should be at least four species of “dog day” cicadas singing in my yard and the nearby woods. The louder, the better! Cicadas help drown out my redneck neighbors. Eric, East Central MO
Saturday, Jun/21/2003
CAN YOU KILL CICADAS, I MEAN IS THEIR A SPRAY NOT HARMFUL TO MY FRUIT TREES? SUSAN, VINTON VIRGINIA
Thursday, Jun/19/2003
Lisa – with the May 8, 2004 wedding….what have you found out about the cicadas around that date? PB, Cincinnati, Ohio
Wednesday, Jun/18/2003
June 18 – 2003 – only a faint call of the cicadas remaining here – Marci, Dry Pond Virginia
Tuesday, Jun/17/2003
I was 13 and living in Lombard when I experienced my first “invasion”. My friend and I walked to the DuPage theatre clearing a path with a stick because the cicada’s covered the road. It was wild. My daughter is now 13 and I can’t wait for her to see them. She was born the year of the last invasion so she doesn’t have a clue. That year (1990?) I was attacked by them as I trimmed the hedges with an electrical hedge trimmer. I guess they mistook me for one of them. Never did finish trimming that year. I can’t remember if they are a terrible nuisance or not. I just remember being so amazed by the multitude of them! looking forward to another generation. Joanne, Glen Ellyn, Il
Monday, Jun/16/2003
I grew up in the city and saw only an occasional cicada in my 37 years. One of my goals for the summer was to work in my garden, which is now completely covered with cicadas. Every plant is blanketed in them and if I try to plant something new I only end up digging up a scoop of their writhing bodies. They creep me out to no end and I don’t want to pass it on to my kids so I have to watch them pick them up or occasionally scrape their remains from my son’s shoe. He is 2yrs old and I’m kind of concerned that he wants to stomp them and chant “crunch, crunch crunch!”, but I guess that’s another problem. Are their crunched up shells good for the garden? Claudia, Park Ridge, IL
Monday, Jun/16/2003
On 6/10/03 I was awakened in the middle of the night listening to the unfolding story of a Cicada. Here goes: For 17 long years, I was held captive in a dark, lonely, cold earthen grave. Deep inside of me, I knew that I was destined for other things. I had a desire to grow and move forward. The greater the desire came the louder the voices around me came. One said, “you need to be content where you are.” Another said, “You are never going to make it.” And even another said, “Just wait upon the Lord.” I waited through 17 springs, summers, falls, and winters. I went through floods and did not drown. I went through fires and did not burn. My creator was with me all the time. One day a stirring began to happen within me. I began clawing my way upward through the earth. I had a determination that kept me digging – day after day, night after night. Finally, the earth parted and I walked out into the light of day. I saw the sun shining on an old rugged tree in front of me. As I slowly made my way up the tree, I began feeling the weight of my old creature. I stopped and firmly planted my feet. After only a fleeting moment my old creature cracked open and the new creature came forth. I now had these two beautiful wings that were full of color and life. I basked in the light of the sun until my wings dried. I listened carefully for the voices of others like me. I knew my days were short on this side of the earth so I flew quickly to where my family congregated. We all joined in together praising God in the Highest. I began hearing other voices saying, “They sound as though they are sounding an alarm”, and others saying, “They sound as though they are praising their Creator.” My Creator God gave me three wonderful days on this side of Heaven to sing praises unto Him with my voice. I wanted to sing the loudest of them all. I knew my three days of ministry represented the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost and after those precious days I would return unto my God who had truly created me as well as all other things. Also within those three days, the creature part of me had to find my Soulmate in order to reproduce after my own kind. When all had been accomplished in God’s time and order, my Spirit cried out, “It is finished.” dcpnurse [AT] aol.com, Chestnut Hill, N.C.
Monday, Jun/16/2003
I came to your site to try and find info on how to eliminate or reduce the Cicadas at my home. There was no mention of Cicadas in the Southwest US or Arizona specifically. We have Cicadas every year starting in late May on our 3.1 acres. Some years are more than others but regardless every year the is an enormous amount. This is our vacation cabin in Northern Arizona so we don’t spend a lot of time there. This year I’ve gotten so disgusted with these creatures, not because of the noise or seeing them everywhere neccessarily, but because they spray some sort of fluid out of the trees in huge ammounts. Peeing? We were sitting outside in the late afternoon as the sun was going down and it was simply amazing and quite disgusting to see these huge sprays coming down from the trees with suprising frequency. We can’t even walk around the property for fear of being peed on.The indigenous trees we have are Pinon Pine, Juniper(with blue berries), and Alligator Juniper(rough bark). These are all pines and do not loose there leaves.I don’t know much about these creatures here in AZ, but if I could help you add any info to your web site I would be happy to.Does anyone have any ideas on reducing these creatures? I don’t want to use pesticides because we drink from the ground water well.jeffwaters [AT] cox.com Jeff Waters, Vernon, Arizona
Sunday, Jun/15/2003
I survived these little suckers in MO and moved here and get to see them again. I’m an avid Mtn Biker and they are deafening when I go ride–I’m thinking about wearing earplugs from now on. Mary Dean, Blacksburg VA
Sunday, Jun/15/2003
When I was a kid, finding a cicada shell was a big deal…but now, I’ve got loads of them! I saw several adult cicadas clinging to various flowers and plants in my yard yesterday. They’re so cute, with their bulging red eyes! (I also saw many detached wings, which tells me that the local birds have also discovered the emergence!) Tina, Elmhurst, IL (west of Chicago)
Sunday, Jun/15/2003
got 20 of the little guys in the back yard on 6-12 and lots shells frank, westmont IL.
Sunday, Jun/15/2003
Last week while digging Liriope near an oak tree in my yard, I dug up a grub about the size of the middle finger. Not having any idea what this might be, I put it in a paper cup to see would happen. Today I looked to find it has shed a layer and looks like a Cicada. It is an off white and only moves the back part a little to turn itself over. I know what the adult ones look like but haven’t seen very many and have seen none this year so far. Sally, Washington DC USA
Sunday, Jun/15/2003
We have so many Circada’s flying around we can’t sit on our deck without several landing on us. The smell of dead Cicada’s is so strong it is hard to go outside. We have apparently built our house on top of their home. The noise is so loud…it is driving me crazy. It starts at daylight and goes on all day till dusk. They are everwhere I look…any suggestions on how to get rid of them? Bonnie Humphries, Covington, Virginia
Saturday, Jun/14/2003
While puttering with my flowers this morning, I notice hundreds of small cicada shells on the lowest branches of on of the trees near our house. The hatched cicadas are barely moving and are on my flower pots and along the foundation of the house. I tried poking them to see if they are alive, which indeed they are, but they don’t move much. What’s going on? Is this normal for this time of year in Chicago? I just moved to this area from Kansas City and have never seen this type of small cicada. Ramelle, Rich & Mimi, Elmhurst, IL, USA
Saturday, Jun/14/2003
Just noting that we have a larger than normal amount of Cicada shells in this near west Chicago suburb. We usually see one of two a year, today I am counting around 25 empty shells, a few full, and a couple hatched hanging around. Wondering if this is a small taste of what is to come over the next few years? Tom, Westchester, IL
Saturday, Jun/14/2003
i am 14 and i never seen a live cicada untill now and theres hundreds in my back yard and shells all over the trees i was wondering if its the 17 year hatching and if they are harmful sean, palos heights
Friday, Jun/13/2003
We have seen several cicadas all over our yards — on our porches, in our hostas, in the grass, on the trees, and on our houses and garages. Carol, Kevin & Michele, South Elmhurst
Friday, Jun/13/2003
Sorry guys. I guess I could have worded my response a little better. Sometimes I forget what it was like as novice…. 🙂 BTW we have yet to see any annual cicadas here in Arkansas. Not even the Neocicada, and that one should have been out at least a week ago. weird… Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas
Friday, Jun/13/2003
We found several discarded cicada shells in our backyard today. This is the 3rd year in our home and we’ve never seen these before. Just wondering if the 17 year Cicadas are back already…seems a bit soon?? Amy, Orland Park,IL
Thursday, Jun/12/2003
Could the unusually frequent rain and rising water table be causing the cicada’s to emerge early rather than drown? Jackie, Glen Ellyn, IL
Wednesday, Jun/11/2003
I saw over 30 Cicada’s today in my backyard on my flowers and along the back of my house. The last time I saw them was in either 1989 or 1990. Today is June 11 and it was in the high 60’s and overcast. Is this an early emergence? They are most repulsive. Do I just let nature takes it’s course or is there something I can do to eliminate them? Diane Martin, 1041 55th Street Downers Grove, IL 60515
Wednesday, Jun/11/2003
I remember riding the school bus down 183rd St when it was just 2 lanes wide, and the bus was being pelted with cicadas dropping out of the trees that arched over the streets. This had to have been in either 70 or 71. Then I moved to Park Forest and bought a house on a heavily wooded lot, where the cidadas, when they next immerged, were so heavy that they would get in your hair and clothing when you walked the 10 feet from the house to the driveway. My friend’s son was just a little guy then and he’s 19 this year… so… based on my recollections, I think that the south suburb brood is really brood X and we’re due for our heavy infestation in 2004. I too am seeing more than the usual number of cicadas this year, however, as is my friend who lives in Lansing. Sue Too, Park Forest, Il
Wednesday, Jun/11/2003
I’ve lived in my house since 1967. Our 17-year cicadas aren’t due until 2007.I’m assuming the cicadas emerging this summer are an off-schedule 13-year brood.I haven’t really heard of or seen too many outside my neighborhood in the rest of the northern suburbs. Sandy , Glenview, IL (North suburb of Chicago)
Wednesday, Jun/11/2003
Thanks for all of your notes about the cicadas out in the Chicago area. These records are of particular interest for several reasons. Monte Lloyd and Hank Dybas, from a previous generation of cicada researchers, worked at the University of Chicago and the Field Museum. They noted a major advance emergence event in1969 (cicadas were expected in 1973). Since then, it’s become evident that such events seem either to be rather common in Brood XIII, the Chicago cicadas, or, now that now that Lloyd and Dybas prompted us all to watch Chicago closely, these events happen everywhere, but we are less likely to miss them when they happen in an urban area like Chicago. Either way, we’d like to know, because the explanation will reveal much about cicada life cycles. Good records can help sort this out– if, every 17- years, the “straggling” cicadas always show up in a different spot, then that pattern would not be very consistent with a self-reproducing “shadow brood.” If, on the other hand, the stragglers always show up in the same spot– well, then we need to investigate that spot further, because either there is a shadow brood, or something about that spot makes cicadas consistently come out in advance.So this is a plea to all–If you find a straggling emergence of Magicicada in the Chicago area, and you can get GPS data, tape recordings, temperature data, physical description of site, and street address, I’d greatly appreciate it. If you can only get some of these things, please forward the information to:John CooleyDepartment of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology75 North Eagleville RoadThe University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 06269Thanks, John, UCONN
Tuesday, Jun/10/2003
Been in this house since 1987. I know that the last time around for the cicadas was a year or so after we moved in. So does anyone have any idea why these guys are emerging? My kids think they’re very interesting and are not freaked out. But I was just wondering. Monica , Glen Ellyn
Tuesday, Jun/10/2003
From what I have learned recently the cicadas that have come out this year are early ermergers. The numbers that are out now are nothing compared to what we will see in 2007. And Kirk, I was surprised too that there was nothing on the news about the cicadas. But I think, and I could be wrong, that they have only come out in the older western suburbs and southern suburbs. Does anyone have seagulls flying around their neighborhood? Sue, Flossmoor, IL
Tuesday, Jun/10/2003
I’ve spotted these guys crawling about in my lawn. This morning I counted over 50 in a 10×10 area. I’m relatively new to this community but I’ve been told that everything is covered during a cycle-including the streets! Sandy, Riverside, Illinois
Tuesday, Jun/10/2003
We also have been seeing a large number of cicadas with the largest number emerging(at least for now) on Saturday (June 7). The emergence is large enough that I am surprised there has not been anything on the news. Kirk LaGory, Downers Grove, IL
Monday, Jun/9/2003
Barbara, you are experiencing a one year “acceleration” of Brood X. The main emergence will occur next year in Maryland from DC to Baltimore west to Frostburg. Four years ago, many isolated localities in this same area, experienced a four year acceleration or a “coming out early” of Brood X. This is one of the things that has made mapping out all of the Broods so “challenging”!! But the picture is getting clearer. John Zyla, Cicadas of the Mid-Atlantic
Monday, Jun/9/2003
Steve, after mapping out Brood IX last week, the northernmost sites in Va were Salem and southweatern Roanoke. Your record for Staunton, Augusta county is of particular interest. This is a good distance from Brood IX and in the heart of Brood I. You are in an area, however, where an isolated pocket of Brood X has occurred in the past and you may be experiencing a one-year acceleration of Brood X. If so, you should also have periodical cicadas occurring again next year. Could you please send me more details on where you are located? I would like to confirm whether this to be true or not. jzcicada [AT] hotmail.com. Thanks. John Zyla , Cicadas of the Mid-Atlantic
Monday, Jun/9/2003
John, tell your wife to get a life. What is her problem, its a little bug for crying out loud. Does she have a sister who has a problem with bugs too? They usually travel in pairs, like shopping or something. Do you have a dog thats afraid of thunder too? Why dont you just pack it up and leave. Also, be careful if you have a pool too, ducks like to get in there and we wouldnt want that to happen either!!! Percy, Downers Grove
Monday, Jun/9/2003
We had cicades emerging about one week ago. We live in a wooded area of the city on the western boundry. Everyone I talk to that lives within about a 30 mile radius have seen none. Even my friends that live in Staunton have not heard them. We are about 100 miles north of Roanoke where I read of many sightings. Is this unusual? We seem to have a “pocket” population. steve bradley, staunton, va
Monday, Jun/9/2003
I heard the cicadas singing for the first time this morning after my walk. Now that I have my doors open I can hear them on and off. Sue, Flossmoor, IL
Monday, Jun/9/2003
I am glad to have found this site because I wasn’t sure what those insects were! I am a bit “bugged” by them but I’m glad to hear that they aren’t harmful. Not only are they covering my maples but also hanging on the leaves of my lilac bushes, hostas, newly planted annuals and even on the air conditioning unit! But why don’t I hear them “singing”? Anna, Homewood, IL
Monday, Jun/9/2003
From scanning the messages it seems to me that the west and south suburbs of Chicago are experiencing some sort of early emergence phenomenon. On Sunday I too found a periodical cicada four years early. This is interesting. Kate, Westmont, IL
Monday, Jun/9/2003
One day, I found a cicada on my deck. It looked injured, so I decided to keep it. She can’t fly. One day, I wanted to let her free. We put her in a cup and put it on our side walk. When she crawled out, she turned and started crawling back to me! So from then on, I took good care of her. Megan, Middletown,Ohio, united States
Sunday, Jun/8/2003
My kids and I found some cicada skins and dead nymphs on June 9 at Brookfield Zoo in Illinois (east and a bit north of LaGrange). They were shorter and much skinnier than the annual cicada skins we find later in the summer. It was too cool and wet to hear any adults singing, so we wondered what we had found. Now we suspect the invasion of periodical cicadas may have made it to Brookfield. My kids didn’t find any similar skins (or adults) the day before in Oak Park, several miles northeast of Brookfield (despite playing outside that whole warm, dry day). So, I wonder if we’ll be able to define a limit to the early emergence.Eric of Kids’ Cicada Hunt!http://www.saltthesandbox.com/cicada_hunt/ Eric Gyllenhaal, Oak Park, Illinois, USA
Sunday, Jun/8/2003
Every year we get messages from dog owners asking if it’s safe for their dogs to eat cicadas. Based on 100s of posts and emails I would say ‘maybe’. Dogs, by their very nature have little or no self control, so they are in danger of gorging themselves, or choking. The one thing that hurts dogs and other pets the most is pesticide. Owners or neighbors react to the cicadas by spraying copious amounts of pesticides in an effort to stop the cicadas, but they end up poisoning the dogs instead. So eating a cicada won’t kill your dog, but gorging, choking and pesticides will. Dan, Cicadaville
Sunday, Jun/8/2003
Nick, be nice to the novices. Your last message was a little condescending. You’re right about Brood XIII by the way, but “stragglers” come after a main emergence. Should we call the pre-emergers “pioneers”? Dan, Cicadaville
Sunday, Jun/8/2003
I too live in Downers Grove, IL and have hudnreds in my yard. I went out this morning to have my coffee in our yard. I was sitting under an old oak tree when I noticed hundreds of shells, both occupied and empty. I decided to return inside when I heard a crunch under foot and saw tons of them in my lawn. I’m glad I found this site. When will the cicadas leave/die? carol, downers grove, IL
Sunday, Jun/8/2003
The periodical cicada you see in your yard now is usually gone by mid-July. 2007 will be our big year when these cicadas come out much heavier than they are now. Sue, Flossmoor, IL
Sunday, Jun/8/2003
Our trees, deck, plants, etc. are entirely covered by Cicada’s. Unfortunately, my wife has a major phobia of all bugs which has not made the last several days very enjoyable. Are the Cicada’s expected to be around the entire Summer? John, Downers Grove, IL
Sunday, Jun/8/2003
Yesterday the seagulls discovered the tastey cicadas in our neighborhood. Flocks of 15-20 flew down the street, landing in yards and devouring any cicadas they could find. It was quite a sight! Sue, Flossmoor, IL
Saturday, Jun/7/2003
Hi,I have a cicada that I’d like to know the latin name of. It is a huge (BL = 7cm, WS=20cm)tan brown Cicada that I believe is Australian? I have searcvhed the web and not had much luch with finding any web pages with photo’s. If anybody either knows the name of it (from my poor description – hey there may only be one cicada of that size in Australia?!)or any pages that might help? could the let me know?Thanks in advanceJ Jay McCartney, Palmy New Zealand
Saturday, Jun/7/2003
I found a lovely cicada corpse on my porch the oother day-I wish I could claim to love these cyclic red-eyed ones as much as the yearly…Was this just a stray or is this the year for Maryland? i’ve lost count.Thanks. PS These stories about dogs getting ill from locusts worries my-my labs eat EVERYTHING!! Barbara, Catonsville, Md
Saturday, Jun/7/2003
It wouldn’t “feel” like Brood XIII because this wouldn’t be the main emergence. If these cicadas are from XIII, and I can’t imagine what other brood they would be, they are four year early stragglers and are thus only a small fraction of the main colony. The main emergence will be in 2007 and should be much more profound than what you’re seeing now. Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas
Saturday, Jun/7/2003
This does not feel like Brood XIII. I have been here for 2 emergences of Brood XIII. 1990 felt light when compared to 1973, but it had been a cold and damp spring in 1990 (somewhat like this year). 1990 seemed to be half of 1973, and this seems to be half of 1990. rick, Flossmoor
Saturday, Jun/7/2003
Daylilies leaves are covered with emergence shells. But the cicadas are smaller than I can ever remember. They are about 3.5 cm (~ 1 inch ) all with bright orange eyes. Any idea what sp.? Steve, Hinsdale, IL
Friday, Jun/6/2003
I have three maple trees, all three are covered. I am glad to have found this site and to have seen the post from Flossmoor. My trees look just like Sue’s posted pictures! Monica, Homewood, Illinois
Friday, Jun/6/2003
Most likely, if not definitely, it is Brood XIII 4 years early. The 4-year accelerations and decelerations are fairly common in the 17 year broods. Not only that, Brood XIII is the only well-established brood in the Chicago area. Brood X doesn’t stretch quite that far north and west; the closest it gets would be MAYBE the south side along the Indiana border. And that’s a big maybe. Brood III, meanwhile, occupies the other side of Illinois; nowhere near Chicago. Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas
Friday, Jun/6/2003
IL folks: It sounds like brood X, XIII or XIX is making en early emergence. Probably brood X, which is due next year. Every now and then magicicadas emerge ahead of, or after the time they’re supposed to. Dan, Cicadaville
Friday, Jun/6/2003
I agree with the previous post regarding the fact that I also can’t find any broods “due” this year in the western burbs of Chicago. I’ve lived here for 10 years and have always seen some come out every year (usually later when it’s warmer out), but never on the scale I’m seeing now. This reminds me of the 1990 brood. Ken, La Grange, IL
Friday, Jun/6/2003
There are hundreds on our trees that we noticed this morning. Why are they “early”? I was looking up the same things as others in the western IL suburbs and can’t find either a 13-year or 17-year that’s “due” this year. Anyone know which type they are? Sue Spear, Western Springs, IL
Thursday, Jun/5/2003
Here are some pics from the trees in my front yard that are filled with these cicadas.Go to this address…http://www.spookywhatsqueeks.com/cicada Sue, Flossmoor, IL
Thursday, Jun/5/2003
One of my dogs is gobbling down cicada like popcorn since they began emerging a couple of weeks ago. Do they contain any potentially harmful bacterium, nematodes,other parasitic infective agents, or disease organism?I know people eat them—really? But I assume they fry them first.thanks,john John Havran, blacksburg va usa
Thursday, Jun/5/2003
This is the first time I’ve experiencedthis. Are they also called locusts?We live in a rural area and our propertyborders a national forest and we have thousands of these little critters.Yesterday when I walked out on my back porch I was literally attacked.I’ve seen them now in all stages and they just started singing yesterday.My husband says it sound like the sound track from ‘Species’. Joanie, Atkins, Va USA
Thursday, Jun/5/2003
Our Jack Russell dog began having wild looking seizures after coming out of the woods the other day. He vomited 5 almost whole cicadas. Who knows how many he digested. We took him to the vet to be checked out. When we asked her what was wrong with him she said, “He’s just stupid. He ate too many bugs.”The sight and sound of these insects inthe woods is beautiful. When this sound is mixed with the whipoorwills and other woodsy creatures, it is a marvelous symphony. Debbie Snavely, Marion, Virginia, Smyth County
Thursday, Jun/5/2003
Today is especially nice weather and I noticed a few in my back yard on the deck and such – went to the from yard and there are literally hundreds on my front pine tree (which won’t do them any good I I understand – not a leaf dropper)! Looking at the charts I don’t see Illinois listed for 2003 so I thought I would mention it here. Joe Hudetz, Western Springs, IL
Thursday, Jun/5/2003
As I left my house this morning, I saw dozens on my exterior walls and drivway emerging from their shells or crawling out of the ground. Something triggered them to come out last night I guess. Ken, La Grange, IL
Thursday, Jun/5/2003
The ‘Locust’ phenomenom in our county is incredible. I didn’t realize it was a big deal, I just found it odd. Then my husband ask that I get on-line to find out how long they live. That led me to this site and then within two days our local paper ran an article on the front page complete with recipes! I would like to submit a link to a photograph on my family web-site of one of my hostas covered with the little critters. They are cute, and the noise is quite deafening here on our little hill-top. This has been fun and quite a topic of conversation! Here’s the link http://groups.msn.com/thewilburns/latestphotos.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1219Donna Donna, Rich Creek, Giles Co., Virginia
Thursday, Jun/5/2003
Jose – Read your post…Love is in the air at Philpott Lake. (We are next door to Fairy Stone). You are invited to camp with us and enjoy the Cicada Concerta. Our Environmental Ed Ranger will be happy to share information with campers about our lovely music makers. (As I type this, I am currently listening to radio transmission of our staff – and our communication have an odd “HUM” to them…I didn’t realize just how much the insects are impacting our lives. When you spend so much of your time outdoors you get immune to them after awhile and don’t even “hear” them any more. It will seem so strange when they are gone) Park Ranger Susan Traxel, Philpott Lake, Bassett, VA
Wednesday, Jun/4/2003
As I went for a walk this evening I noticed quite a few periodic cicadas emerging in the grass, crawling on the sidewalks and on the trunks of trees. This is not our year for the 17 year brood. We should not have them until 2007. Has anyone else in the Chicago area seeing these cicadas? Sue, Flossmoor, IL
Tuesday, Jun/3/2003
Never saw so many cicadas molting. Some tall clumps of grass have half a dozen hanging on. They’re on almost every type of plant. Incredible hum from the woods, but in our yard, they are silent. Our two puppies eat them like nothing is better. Unfortunately, one of them seems to be allergic. I don’t know how to keep him away from them without staying indoors. I hope the cicadas won’t eat too much!! Diana Renfro, Grassy Creek, NC
Monday, Jun/2/2003
We drove 9 hours south to experience the magicicada emergence this past weekend. Camping at Fairy Stone state park proved to be a good move as the park is full of adult cicadas and some still coming up. I was disappointed with the park employees who had very little information or knowledge of cicadas even though the sound echoed all around. These cicada are not as loud as the ones Ive heard in Costa Rica which make a sound that arches up in pitch and volume and finally one long high ear piercing screach. The magicicada sound more relaxed to me, like a tame symphony of new york city sirens…….. I will post some photos and sound bites in the next week or so. JC Jose Conde, NEW YORK
Monday, Jun/2/2003
I just came up to the lake yesterday afternoon and heard the background music. It was so loud and present that I thought someone had left something runnning. But then I heard it all around the lake, so knew it was natural. I didn’t think that it was the cicada phenomenon because I recall last time that they were actually louder. And, I haven’t seem them buzzing all around either, which also is different. But, the “surround sound” was so much like cicadas that I mentioned the phenomenon this morning to a business colleague who was not familiar with it. By the way, SML, VA is just down the road from Ferrum (about 30-40 miles east – see previous posting). So, maybe I’ll hear them when I go back to North Carolina this afternoon. Enjoy nature’s symphony! Chris, Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Monday, Jun/2/2003
Wow the cicadas here are getting really really loud! While talking on the phone..my sister could here them through it! Had to come in yesterday while trying to plant tomatoes…they were in my hair and the sound was almost deafening! Even brought one in on my shoulder. You can look out the window and see them flying around everywhere! Carla, Ferrum, Va.
Sunday, Jun/1/2003
…for the pics Dottie. BTW has anyone seen Magicicada cassini out there? Certainly there are plenty of M. septendecim singing (the one that sounds like the “space aliens,” as some people describe it :P). I just wondered if the cassini were out there. They’re the loud rising and falling buzz. If anyone happens to run across a bunch of them, watch them synchronize their chorus. It’s really cool. Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas
Sunday, Jun/1/2003
I was very lucky to be in White Sulphur Springs, WV last week.I was able to take lots of Cicada photos. To view a few of them go to:http://homepage.mac.com/dottiesphotos/PhotoAlbum36.htmlEnjoy, Dottie Dottie Tison, Los Angeles, CA
Sunday, Jun/1/2003
I am coming home to Northern Va and Richmond for the 2nd week in July. Does anyone know my chances of seeing/hearing them or will the party be over? Ellen, Yorkshire, England
Saturday, May/31/2003
Just started the first day of a three day search for the boundaries of Brood IX in Virginia and West Virginia. There were no Magicicada along I-64 through Va until we reached White Sulfur Springs in Greenbrier Co., West Virginia. Despite periodic rains we have collected voucher specimens for Greenbrier and Monroe, WV and Giles Co, Va. Tomorrow we travel down I-81 to I-77 to define the western boundary. Monday, we will travel back through the Martinsville, Va area to determine the eastern boundary. Thankfully, Cindy in NC is driving around determining the southern boundary in NC. The WV Dept of AG is determining the northern boundary. Looks like things should come together for an awesome map! If weather is nicer I will try to get photos for you Nick. John Zyla, Cicadas of the MidAtlantic
Saturday, May/31/2003
Visit this link for a picture of a locust: http://www.unic.undp.com/locusts.htm — Locusts look exactly like grasshoppers. Dan, Cicadaville
Saturday, May/31/2003
I have some people around here who think that the Cicada “jar fly” and Locust are the same, I know they are not but I need diffinative proof they are not, “pictures” and disscriptions of what they are would be great! Anything would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Michelle Michelle , spanishburg W.V.
Saturday, May/31/2003
If anyone happens to get any good Magicicada pics could you email them to me? stnick127 [AT] collegeclub.com Wish I could be out there this year. 🙁 Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas
Saturday, May/31/2003
Dry Pond Virginia – 2 miles from the NC border – cicadas have been here for 2 weeks now ….. Marci Shore, Dry Pond Virginia
Friday, May/30/2003
They are alive and well, I have some land in VA and when I visited this weekthe noise was amazing….like grinding bearings Mark, Kernersville/nc
Friday, May/30/2003
I happened to run across this sight, and just thought I’d share… About 2 weeks ago I heard this ‘noise’ that I just couldn’t figure out. Sounded like a diesel engine running in the distance, across the ridge. But then it just kept on & on. After a few days of this I realized what I was hearing. We have hundreds of Cicada ‘molting’ on our property. On the sides of the house, trees and just everywhere you turn, they’re there. (Our new mama cat thinks they are quite tasty, will have to keep an eye on her & make sure that she doesn’t overdo it!) And even though they are staying around, they are not singing in our yard. Can’t figure out why? But thank goodness they are not. It is absolutely unreal. Even though this is a ‘magical’ sound, it must be deafening for those who are in the middle of this symphony. I know that there must be many people around here that can’t wait for the song to end. Sometimes they do get a little louder and I think “Oh no they’re coming our way!” But I think it is due to the changes in the weather, which has been really crazy around here for this time of year. It seems like I remember the typical dog-day Cicada singing in the evening hours, but these are wide open all day long. DJ, Millers Creek, NC (Wilkes County)
Friday, May/30/2003
Man I wish I could see the emergence all you guys are talking about.I have been trying to get my hands on some of your Magicicada species, but so far to no avail.If any collecter is keen on exchanging your Usa, Canadian etc cicadas for my New Zealand ones I am keen to do so, although I must warn you that we have only a small amount of species in comparison to you guys, that Brazilian cicada is a beautiful species, nice photo.Just leave a message if anyone is keen, and i’ll get intouch Kees Green, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand
Thursday, May/29/2003
I’m so glad I found your site and the pictures. I thought I’d found some mutant cicada while cutting weeds this evening – I’d never seen one with red eyes and bright markings! – only drabber coloring. No one I know appreciates how excited I get about a beautiful bug, but I know you guys do. Thanks. :o) Courtney Haynes, Bland VA (near Bluefield VA/WV)
Thursday, May/29/2003
We seem to have something that becomes a very intricate black and white patterned mothlike adult./ anyone have any input on this?? Barbara, callands virginai
Thursday, May/29/2003
Just wanted to post and let everyone know that here in Mt. Airy, NC the Cicadas have been out for a couple of weeks. Their buzzing has grown louder and louder each day. I can look out my backdoor and watch them flying all around. One landed about a foot from my son and I the other morning on our deck. It sat on the railing and continued singing its song. It was a really neat moment and it opened up an excellent opportunity for my son and I to do a little web research and learn more about these amazing insects. DM, Mount Airy, NC
Thursday, May/29/2003
I’m a reporter with The Roanoke Times in Virginia and I’m doing a story on the emerging cidadas. I’d love to talk to some folks who are paying attention to them and watching them as they come out of their 17-year sleep. Please email me ASAP with a day and night contact number and I’ll give you a call. Or call me. Thanks!761-9990 or zeke.barlow [AT] roanoke.com zeke barlow, roanoke
Wednesday, May/28/2003
I’m 21 and this is the first time I can remember seeing these little critters out and about. I remember when I was real little we’d go out and find the sheds. It was always fun. But now it is kinda creepy seeing all these huge bugs crawling all over the trees. Have to admit though, they are rather beautiful with those red eyes. I’d like them better if they weren’t crawling on my screens and porch and some have even managed to sneak into my house. I’m wondering how long they are going to stick around. Hope it’s not too long, they might wear out their welcome. Alisha, Jumping Branch WV
Wednesday, May/28/2003
Am trying to determine the actual species of the cicadas that are emerging now and have been for a week or so. I don’t know if they are of the 13 or 17 year variety.Noisy little critters, but enjoyable. I saw them once when I was a kid in Utah …I’m now 53. David L. Hargreaves, Cedaredge, Colorado
Wednesday, May/28/2003
All of you who are in the midst of the 17 year cicadas……..let us know how long they are around. PB, Cincinnati, Ohio
Monday, May/26/2003
Well, here we are just off Highway 89 between Mount Airy, N. C. and Galax, Virginia. Just here for a visit with my grandma. We live in the Tri-Cities region of Tennessee. I cannot believe the deafening sound of the locust “flapping” their wings. It sounds like an alien spacecraft landing in the trees out behind my grandma’s house. There’s shells all over the front and back porches. My dad caught one by the wings and showed me an up-close cicada/locust. Don’s want any part of them. I think we’re going home earlier just to avoid loco mania. My dad said he remembered the locust plague in Surry County during the early ’50’s. So, they’re right on time, 51 years later. Signed: Jennifer from Tennessee or “Going Home to Maintain my Sanity” Jennifer, Mount Airy, N. C.
Monday, May/26/2003
WE HAVE THEM EVERYWHERE DSKELLY1942 [AT] YAHOO.COM, PAX WVA FAYETTECOUNTY
Sunday, May/25/2003
For two weeks now the cicada has come forth and we have thousands of them. I know they were supposed to appear this year or next. This is the fourth time I have seen them in mass 4 times in my life. I am 60 years in age. Have always delighted in their appearance. They are so ugly but are a very interesting creature. There is an old saying that they call Phraoh and have an M on each wing, a sign from God of the great story in the old Testament. If you listen to the din they set up during the day you can usually hear on making a sound that sounds like the name Phraoh and they do have an M on their wings. Thought you might be interested.Jay Jay Parks, Martinsville, VA 24112
Sunday, May/25/2003
They’re everywhere! Found a few, thought, ‘oh these are so cool’. I was mowing the yard and I’m stopping, picking ’em up and moving them. (why yes, when I mow it takes forever because of the the bug, turtle, toad, etc temporary relocations)Then……I found a billion. My screams of ‘EW EW EW’ deafened dogs in the next county.Please reassure me they aren’t gonna eat me in my sleep.*movin to France* Caroline, Christiansburg, VA
Sunday, May/25/2003
Our friends and family just can’t imagine what we are talking about when we try to tell them over the phone what we are seeing here! It is unbelievable to see the number of these things (I was glad to see in your web site, the number mentioned as possibly reaching hundreds of thousands, if not millions! Currently they are covering the sides of buildings; on every tree in the yard; all over the grass (making the grass seem “alive” with all the movement); and covering the patio, deck, and sidewalks – have given up trying to keep them swept away! And the dogs are eating their fill of them — seems as though it’s a special treat – like popcorn!I called the local agricultural extension agent to ask about them and his response was, “well, some folks get them every now and then. you can just take some Sevin and kill them if you want to.” He obviously did not understand the magnitude of the “problem” and I told him I didn’t want to kill them if they were not harmful. And, besides, it would take a tanker-truck full of Sevin to kill as many as we have!I am SOOO glad to have found this very informative web site! Thank you. Now I am going to forward this information to our children so they won’t think we are crazy! or exaggerating!For the record, the cicadas began emerging here a couple of weeks ago (around May 12)and we were extremely interested; by last weekend they were very much a nuisance with “shells” all over the place, making the crunch underfoot as we walked; okay, so now, even though we are thrilled to have seen this only-every-17-year occurrence, we are ready for the event to be over. The noise is so loud, it is annoying when we try to have quiet time on the deck in the evening! And the odor of decay is beginning to be very unpleasant. However, considering our age, we are hopeful to still be around during the next emergence!! Dottye and Walt Currin, Westfield, Stokes County, NC, USA
Sunday, May/25/2003
Just stumbled upon this website, looks like it has everything I needed to know about Cicada’s. I had always heard them referred to as Locusts though, so that threw me off. I believe I was 7 the last time they came through so it would be right on the money at 17 years apart. Very ugly critters and LOUD! lol Did some mowing yesterday and noticed out in the field all the shells they left behind after they would molt. Glad to see more people from my area on here. Chris, McGrady, NC
Saturday, May/24/2003
They’ve been here about 2 weeks but have just started the past couple days getting really thick. C, Ferrum, VA. USA
Friday, May/23/2003
This is for Rosa Lee Temu.The loudest Insect in New Zealand is in fact a Cicada, it is called The Greater clicking Cicada, or its scientific name is Amphipsalta zealandica.Its the large cicada that you see in summer on lamposts, houses, trees etc.I hope this helps and its not to late Kees Green, Albany, Auckland, New Zealand
Friday, May/23/2003
Does anybody read the FAQs?https://www.cicadamania.com/cicadas/category/faqs/ Dan, Townsville, NJ
Thursday, May/22/2003
have you ever heard the thing a bout the p and the w on the wing the w means that it will be war in the 17 yr pd. and the p means that it will be peace in the 17 yr. pd just worndering e-mail me at evil_lilly [AT] hotmail.comP.S.: the “locust” is starting to come out down here. Randall lilly, camp creek, wv
Thursday, May/22/2003
The population continues to grow with each passing day! Rain has apparently slowed their wing development but probably thousands on my one acre of land. VA Tech says should be around in some numbers until mid to late June!Virginia is for Lovers (and Cicadas):) Dave, Salem, VA
Wednesday, May/21/2003
I am planning to get down to Virginia , Roanoke /Appalachain trail area to see hear and record magicicada. How long will the emergence most likely last????Please email me at jlc3d [AT] aol.com…much appreciated.Jose Conde Jose Conde, Brooklyn, NY
Wednesday, May/21/2003
Thanks for reporting, Stephanie! We’ll be in your area over the weekend plotting our map for John. We’ll be sure to drive through Ennice. 🙂 My son captured his first cicada today and let me tell you, this guy has been the center of attention all afternoon! He’s a beauty!! Cindy, near Hays, NC – Wilkes County
Wednesday, May/21/2003
Thanks for your report Stephanie. If anyone else in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia has seen the emnergence of periodical cicadas, please leave a message on this website with your town, county and state. Thank you. John Zyla, Cicadas of the Mid-Atlantic
Wednesday, May/21/2003
John, I just read your message about reporting cicada appearances. Thought I would include the county in NC where I’m located. They’re everywhere here! Stephanie, Ennice, Alleghany County, NC
Wednesday, May/21/2003
I noticed them crawling on the trees and molting last night, this morning they’re all over the trees and bushes around here! Stephanie, Ennice, NC
Monday, May/19/2003
Have you noticed the cicadas seem to be rather quiet and sparse during the rain? We haven’t heard or seen them nearly as much the past several days as we did earlier last week when it was warm & sunny. I hope they’re not leaving us already. 🙂 Cindy, near Hays, NC
Monday, May/19/2003
We have lots and lots of Cicadas covering all my trees and crawling about. I can honestly say I’m not too thrilled about this, they are a big problem with my trees. They are already swarming about. Lrm, Hinton WV
Monday, May/19/2003
This is a quzeWich is the insect that makes the most nose out of New Zealand?I am a student that gose to primary.I am only 9 years old.I am a stande 4.FROM ROSA LEE TEMU Rosa leeTemu, Auckland Glen Iness
Saturday, May/17/2003
Woke up yesterday to hundreds (maybe thousands) of these cicadas. Shells & live ones currently all over everything! How long does this infestation last and should I try to kill or just let nature run its course?Best regards from western VA,Dave Dave, Roanoke, VA
Friday, May/16/2003
They are brood IX. Brian P., KY, USA
Friday, May/16/2003
We’ve got plenty here, on trees, walls etc. What brood might they be? Ann, Roanoke, VA
Friday, May/16/2003
I have a Cicada message board at http://pub207.ezboard.com/bplanetcicadaDiscuss and share… Brian P., Ky, USA
Friday, May/16/2003
I heard a male M. septendecula singing this afternoon(May 16, 2003)at 4:15 p.m.! I listened and followed the solitary male about 15 minutes as it flew from tree to tree singing. This area is brood XIV country, so I was surprised to hear one this year. Brian (cicadaguy [AT] email.com) Brian P., Northeast KY (Carter Co.)
Friday, May/16/2003
There are many cicadas in this location right now. They started appearing last weekend. They’re all over the yards and singing to beat the band. Luci, North Wilkesboro, NC, USA
Thursday, May/15/2003
to help, John. I emailed you and look forward to learning more! Cindy, near Hays, NC
Thursday, May/15/2003
We found an adult cicada while visiting the Grand Canyon on April 30th. We didn’t know what we had found–nor did the rangers. We’ve just identified it here, and wonder if they are common in Arizona? Deb , Santa Cruz, CA
Thursday, May/15/2003
Cindy, If you and your children would be interested in participating in a study of the cicadas in your area please e-mail me at jzcicada [AT] hotmail.com. Thank you. John Zyla, Maryland, Cicadas of the MidAtlantic
Thursday, May/15/2003
Judy,The is nothing mentioned in the Bible about cicadas. Every Periodical cicada has a “w” mark on each wing, so there is nothing to the story that they predict war. Also, it is impossible for them to bite, they only have a straw like mouth part. Nothing to worry about! John Zyla, Maryland, Cicadas of the MidAtlantic
Wednesday, May/14/2003
Hi Judy. I’ve read the cicadas aren’t dangerous in any way, and won’t bite or sting unless they mistake you for a twig in which case they might bite. As annoying as they are, I’m trying to find the beauty God intended in their mighty choruses and my homeschooled children and I are in for an awesome science lesson this year! Here’s hoping we can all find joy & pleasure in the cicadas. Cindy, Hays, NC
Wednesday, May/14/2003
All you people who want to see these things, just come on down to Carolina. The woods are infested. The ground and the trees and plants are just crawling with the ugly bugs. If anyone can tell me how to terminate them other than walking around outside with a big Long!!! stick, please tell me. I hate bugs. judy, THURMOND, NORTH CAROLINA
Wednesday, May/14/2003
These things are everywhere. Has anyone noticed that they all have a ” W ” on their wings? I think according to the Bible this means 7 years of War. If they have a P on the wing it means 7 years of peace. Does anyone out there know if this is true biblically or not? Also, one of the varmits bit me and I would like to know if there is any danger in it’s bite? If you can answer any of these questions, please email me a jsparks [AT] rivercto.com. JUDY, THURMOND, NORTH CAROLINA
Wednesday, May/14/2003
The 17 year cicadas are due in Cincinnati in 2004. Does anyone know what weeks or months? M Bailey, Cincinnati, Ohio
Monday, May/12/2003
I am doing research on the cicadas of the Mid-Atlantic. I am very interested in mapping out the distribuion of periodical cicadas in this area. As some of you may know, this year Brood IX is emerging in southern WV, western Va and northwestern North Carolina. If you live in these areas and have Periodical Cicadas occuring between now and the middle of June, please left a message on this website with the nearest town, the county and the state where you have found the cicadas. Thank you. John Zyla, Maryland, Cicadas of the Mid-Atlantic
Monday, May/12/2003
They are everywhere.Bought the property with my son in law about 3 years ago (22 acres)It was clear cut of most timber just prior to us bying it, but that is not keeping the Cicada’s away. Bud Molnar, Purlear, NC
Monday, May/12/2003
Yesterday morning we found that several cicadas had emerged and molted in our flower bed and the nearest tree. Never seen this type before, wonderful to find out they are periodical ones, not the typical dog day. Have several questions: Why are they just located in one isolated area of my yard? How can I determine which brood this is? Looks like they may be a 17 yr, brood IX (2003) but may be brood X (2004) stragglers. How can I get a more detailed map of my area to determine this info and what species this may be? Sorry about all the questions but my kids and I are very excited about this since we love and appreciate these guys. Any help would be great.PS It amazes me how ignorant people are about these cool insects. Everyone needs to see this site. Jen, Francisco, Stokes Co, NC, USA
Friday, May/9/2003
Dear Lisa In reference your wedding plans for May 2004 and worry about a cicada “plague”.The Cicadas will emerge naturally and majestically after 17 years living as lowly grubs. They will come out of the ground with slick new wings and a black shine in mass numbers. They will sing beautifully for a few days, mate, lay eggs and die. There kind will not be seen in Cinci for another 17 years!A cicada emergence is no plague, it is a cause for myth and celebration. I would consider there presence at my wedding a blessing from nature. The true “plague” is human overpopulation, pollution, environmental destruction, and the ignorance of mankind. The best thing you can do is welcome the cicadas to your wedding……you won’t have to hire a band!!!!!! Jose Conde , NYC JConde, NYC
Monday, Apr/28/2003
Please – I need some advice/help. I am planning on outdoor wedding in cincinnati for May 8, 2004….and I learned about the cicada “plague” coming to cincinnati “around May 20” in 2004 and learned of this website. Can anyone tell me if this is an accurate date? Or am I taking a huge risk with May 8th? What happens in the weeks prior to the “plague”? Please advise – thanks so much, lisa Lisa, cincinnati, OH
Sunday, Apr/13/2003
Hi there! I just read something in your news archive talking about an elusive “Cicada keychain” that buzzes and lights up!!! Do you know where I could get my hands on 1 of these? Also, hows about making some girl-size shirts of all of the t-shirt designs? I really want the ash-grey shirt!!! Thanks a lot. Please reply to yellowmonday [AT] hotmail.com if possible Laura, Australia
Thursday, Apr/3/2003
Please send responses to delynnewest [AT] yahoo.com Delynne, Benton, AR
Thursday, Apr/3/2003
We have a lot of holes in our yard that just appeared in the past week. Is it possible these are from cicadas? Is April too early?Thanks for any help! Delynne, Benton, AR
Wednesday, Mar/19/2003
Hello,Henry Thoreau reported the cicada in the summer of 1843 in Staten Island, and wrote to his sister Helen to ask if Concord (MASS) had them; I am wondering the same–would there have been an episode in that part of New England in 1843?Thanks Kevin Dann, Woodstock, VT
Friday, Mar/14/2003
As all animal and nature lovers, those little (and sometimes big) cicadas drive me nuts sometimes! I have developed a non lethal way to rid your garden and home of the cicada. The ingredients are 100% natural. My formula is safe and non-toxic, is domestic animal friendly and will not harm wildlife or plantlife. This product will be available very soon! You may send me an email for more information to: N8KKP [AT] aol.com Kevin, Cincinnati, OH USA
Thursday, Mar/13/2003
I am anxiously awaiting the news of the first Cicadas in North Americo north of Mexico. When and where do they appear? What are the common early species?In our area (Texas Panhandle) Cacama valvata appears in May. Do any appear in April or earlier?johnne [AT] netjava.com Wes Phillips, Fritch, Texas
Sunday, Mar/2/2003
Our backyard has become infested with these horrible things and my kids are terrified of them. It os not possible to hold a conversation in the garden as there are so many making so much noise. I am into electronics and wondered if anyone knows of ANY sort of audio signal that will make them either shut up or fly away. They give me the creeps and remind me of that 60’s Hitchcock film about the crows. Any advice greatly appreciated. owen [AT] medistat.co.nz Owen, Nelson, NZ
Friday, Feb/28/2003
Our daughter will be planning a wedding and I know the 17 cicadas are due the summer of 2004 in Cincinnati. I sure don’t want a bride covered with cicadas (although she LOVES them!!) Can you tell me what months they come and how long they stay and when they are the worst?THANKS SO MUCH!!! Peg Bailey, Cincinnati, Ohio
Thursday, Feb/13/2003
email address for the above question: jader [AT] telus.com maureen, Vancouver, Canada
Thursday, Feb/13/2003
I have heard it said that you can calculate the air temperature from the frequency and duration of the cicada’s buzz. Does anyone know about this? The geographic area of interest re: this question is N Ontario, Canada between Algonquin Park and Ottawa. We go to a camp in that area and the cicada calls are very loud on a hot day. I would like to be able to calculate the temp. Thank you. maureen, Vancouver, Canada
Cicada Comments from October 2003
NZ Cicadas starting to emerge
Date: Sunday, Oct/26/2003
I just thought I would let you guys no that the cicadas are starting to emerge here in New Zealand. So far i have caught Rhodopsalta leptomera, Kikihia muta aotea, Notopsalta sericea and have heard Kikihia cutora cutora, ochrina and i believe dugdalei. Kees Green, New Zealand
Cicadas and insect classes
Date: Wednesday, Oct/22/2003
I have not done any serious collecting this summer, but last weekend I taught the section on Insects for the Master Naturalists in Amarillo. I included 40 species of Cicadas when I talked about diversity in insects. Tibicen superba the Superb Cicada seemed out in abundance this summer in Borger, as every tree had two or three in it. Tibicen dorsata – the Grand Western Cicada was also out, but in smaller numbers.I need cicada specimens from the West. Anyone willing to trade? johnne [AT] netjava.com. Wes Phillips, Fritch, Texas USA
Help with identification of this Cicada
Date: Monday, Oct/6/2003
I need help to identify a Cicada. (I have a photo). It was found in south eastern Amazonia near Tucurui on the River Tocantins. Liza Maria Veiga, Belem. Para State, Amazonia, Brazil