Cicada Mania

cicadas in 2004

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

Cicada keychain

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

cicadas emerging pt. 2

Thursday, Apr/3/2003
Please send responses to delynnewest [AT] yahoo.com Delynne, Benton, AR

cicadas emerging?

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

Henry Thoreau at Staten Island, 1843

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

Get rid of those Cicada’s without harm!

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

First Cicadas

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

How to shut these bloody things up

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

cicadas – when???

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

Is it true you can tell the air temperature from the cicada sound??

Thursday, Feb/13/2003
email address for the above question: jader [AT] telus.com maureen, Vancouver, Canada

Is it true you can tell the air temperature from the cicada sound??

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

I need your help

Friday, Jan/31/2003
I am an international student.Please understand me. I am not good at English. My English is not good enough to read all of your web site.I have to do homework about a cicada.I need some information about a cicada.1, Can a cicada fly?2. What kind of insects kill it?3. How many kinds of cicadas are there in the world?4. How many parts of a cicada’s body are separated ?5. Does a cicada live alone?6. Can a cicada see?I would appreciate if you would give me other informations about a cicada.Thank you very much. Bryan Oh, Mt.Vernon WA

for Violet from Indianapolis

Friday, Jan/24/2003
It might be too late for your project, but here is a piece of info. My second grader is doing a science project on the cicadas (we actually observed them in the summer 2002 in Southern Illinois), and among the books we found to do research, this one is a good source:
John Golding Myers, Insect Singers: A Natural History of the cicadas. London: George Routledge and Sons, 1929
It has lots of drawings and details. Hope it helps you. Margarita, St. Louis. MO

ANZAC DAY TOURS 2003

Thursday, Jan/23/2003
TOUR PROGRAMMES:
TOUR A
5 Days – 4 Nights Istanbul and Gallipoli : All transportations and transfers with new model Mercedes Benz or Volvo coaches – All ferry tickets to cross Dardanelles. – 2 Nights of Accommodation at Canakkale – 2 Nights of Accommodation at Istanbul – 1 Full day Istanbul sightseeing tour with – English speaker professional tour guide – 1 Full day Gallipoli Peninsula tour with English speaker professional tour guide – All Museum tickets – Guidance and assistance during the Anzac Day ceremonies more…Fatihfatih [AT] istanbulshotels.com
www.istanbulshotels.com Fatih, Istanbul

Look forward to the modifications

Saturday, Jan/18/2003
Hi John, I hope things are going well for you, Cant wait until the pics and sounds are available. Kees, New Zealand

Adult Cicadas Do Feed

Thursday, Jan/9/2003
Hi all–Was reading through some literature and came across yet another statement that adult cicadas do not feed. This is NOT TRUE! I have put a photo of an adult Magicicada septendecula feeding (borrowed from our old U. Mich. pages) on my own web page (http://www.sp.uconn.edu/~jcooley/index.htmls). This photo has been on our Michigan website since the beginning, but I guess it needs a little more emphasis!By the way, we will probably not be changing or upgrading the U. Michigan pages for the foreseeable future, because we are busy upgrading “Cicada Central” here at U. CONN. Much of the Magicicada-specific content of the UMICH pages will be appearing on Cicada Central, with vastly improved distribution maps in the works. Cicada Central will also have sounds and photos of NZ cicadas, and eventually, Australian cicadas. Stay tuned! John Cooley, Connecticut

Picture Contest

Monday, Jan/6/2003
Some years ago there was a picture contest on the Cicada Mania website.All of the different pictures were available from the website. I used one of them as my wallpaper for my pc.If these pictures are still available, I’d like to download them once again.Regards,
Daniel Miller
sawdust_studio [AT] hotmail.com Daniel Miller, South Dakota

Any Cicada Societies?

Wednesday, Dec/25/2002
Does anyone know of any cicada societies I can join to get information/newsletters about cicadas? Ted, Westchester, NY

NZ Cicadas

Monday, Dec/16/2002
Opps I see there are NZ sites. Kees, New Zealand

NZ Cicadas

Monday, Dec/16/2002
Hi David and Lindsay. Well the cicadas in NZ are really starting to emerge now, the larger species ( Amphisalta’s ) are starting to make the presence heard while drowning out the smaller species. Its good to see you guys got some rain at last to dampen down the hot spots and stop the fires.
I hope the rest of your season goes well and the cicada numbers will recover, they probably will though, nature has its ways of sorting itself out and arent fires a natural part of the Australian ecosystem?.Its good to see that there are links to the Aussie sites here now, all we need now is links to the NZ site.It would also be nice to no that there are more than 3 of us Australasian cicada people that frequent this site every now and then. Kees, New Zealand

Australia Cicada Links

Saturday, Dec/7/2002
We’ve added a bunch of Australian Cicada links to the Links page! Check it out! Dan, New Jersey

Sydney cicadas fired up and out

Thursday, Dec/5/2002
Kees and Lindsay,
There are a quite a few Antipodean cicadaphiles. Fierce bushfires in the past few days have endangered quite a few collecting sites (let alone getting in and out of sites) around Sydney. Emergences have been 3-4 weeks early, still numbers of Cyclochila, Thopha saccata and Macrotristria angularis about. Smaller Pauropsaltas and Cicadettas have come and gone; P moerens just emerging, but need rain urgently. David, Sydney, Australia

Cicada website has moved

Tuesday, Dec/3/2002
The Australian cicada website has moved to www.zen.uq.edu.au/entomology/ins-info/cicada.htmHi Kees. Its just getting drier here, but there has been some rain in north Queensland. The cicadas are suffering this year. Although I heard today that the El Nino weather pattern will start to change over the next few months, meaning that there will be more rain next summer. Lindsay, Brisbane, Australia

How many Kiwis and Aussies cicada enthusiasts

Friday, Nov/29/2002
I was just wondering how many of us Australasians there are that frequent this site.
It could be nice and interesting to hear from each other and see how we are all doing this summer, I no that you Aussies are amidst youre worst drought for a while so your season may not be so fruitiful.Here in NZ ( Auckland ), I just caught 3 species in a 5 minute walk- N. sericea, K. muta aotea and K.ochrina and heard/saw our noisest cicada Amphisalta zealandica.How are the rest of us going? Kees, New Zealand

Meaning of the Origin for the Latin rootword for “cicada”

Monday, Nov/18/2002
Does anyone out there have any info on the meaning of the origin of the Latin root word for cicada? I need to know if the root word is related to the root word for circle. Any etymological documentation or info link one can offer would be much appreciated.
Thanks! Nenita Ostman, PVE, CA USA

i need your hellllp]

Saturday, Nov/16/2002
man i need to know how to draw a cicada for a report any tips or sights please tell me
idiot, voorhees,new jersey, america

Giant black wasps!

Saturday, Nov/9/2002
This last summer I was working alone in the office at night. I heard this noise like something hitting the wall in the hallway. I went to the hall and saw this unbelievably “HUGE” very long black wasp! It had to be “at least” 3 inches long! Has anyone ever seen one of these giants? Thanks, Dink. Dink, Mobile

Cicadas in Albuquerque

Friday, Nov/8/2002
Does anybody know what type of cicadas we have in Albuquerque? They’re brown and black and white, but the white seems to be a powder. They have three little red dots on their foreheads, and their eyes are not red or black.The Albuquerque Journal mentioned they came around in three-year cycles; one year in three their numbers are more, but they are around every year.This sounds like a species of Tibicen, from the single hour of research I’ve done on the web tonight. Anybody? Luke Allen, Albuquerque, NM USA

Ceramic cicadas?

Tuesday, Oct/29/2002
I was in Arles, France, a few years ago and they worship the cigale there. There were all sorts of ceramic locust figures for hanging on the wall. Does anyone know where I can order one of these on-line? Thanks. Jane Robertson, California, MO 65018

Help

Saturday, Oct/26/2002
I’m writing a report for school on cicadas. i need the copyright info for this site. I also need to know what the cicadas closest relative is and how their different from each other. I need the info asap!!! j, Texas

new web site of art comics

Thursday, Oct/24/2002
You can find it here:http://www.peruviancomics.cjb.com carlos, Peru

Cicadas

Saturday, Oct/19/2002
Can someone tell me what the predators are for cicadas! Thanks Cody J., Ayer, MA 01432

How The Hell….

Saturday, Oct/19/2002
Hi people,
i had always been awed by cicadas and i know the usual sounds they make, like a song, repeating over and over again. Well i never had been close up to a cicada before and one just appeared outside my window and it ‘singing’ its cicada song, and damn it was really loud close up. Well, i assume that cicadas have 2 pairs of wongs because i did not see its outer bugger wings move when it ‘sang’. And i also noticed that it moved it’s butt up or down every change of the note, i suppose to change the friction of the inner wings rubbing against it’s ‘butt’. I am not so sure about this but please e-mail me at kensheex [AT] hotmail.com to inform me more about how they do that sound. Mah Chen Zhong, Singapore

I enjoy the sound of cicadas they remind me of the fun times I had at my grand mother’s house in Lousiana

Thursday, Oct/17/2002
10/17/02
I want all the information in the world about cicadas
Thank you
Kathy
my email address is kathydelrio [AT] yahoo.com Kathy Del Rio, 1845 Kendall St. #319 Lakewood CO 80214

Pompone imperatoria

Friday, Oct/4/2002
Where do I buy eggs of Pompone imperatoria? Gustavo, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

Species in our area

Friday, Oct/4/2002
We have two types in Ennis. One is an orange and black color being larger than the most common green, white, and black. Can’t believe they live in the ground for 16 years and only a few days when they come out. Love to listen to them and drink a cool one. Tony Vitovsky, Ennis TX USA

cicada predators

Thursday, Oct/3/2002
Here in NZ its mainly birds, but also wasps, cats and dogs and humans.
Humans by destroying habitats. Kees , New Zealand

Q’s

Wednesday, Oct/2/2002
What are cicada’s main predators????? Someone., Usa

NZ Cicadas

Wednesday, Oct/2/2002
Well Owen unfortunately I missed my first one, would have been a new species for me to.
I am still not sure what species of Kikihia it was but I’m sure I’ll catch a few of his friends.
Good to hear that your season is going well Lindsay, by the way I think everyone should check out your website, it is amazing, hopefully I will send the cicadas to David next week, there could be a couple in there for you to, especially Notopsalta sericea, but there will be more later for you anyway.I hope you guys get some rain soon to end that drought your having, rain doesnt seem to be a problem here in Auckland, its my first year here and I dont think I have seen so much rain.
Catchya later Kees, New Zealand

Aus cicadas

Sunday, Sep/29/2002
It is shaping up to be a promising season in south-east Queensland, with large emergences of a number of species so far. Although, dry conditions may affect the timing of emergences in inland districts. The first species to emerge in SeQld are Cicadetta hackeri and Birrima varians. These normally emerge in early-mid August. More info at www.zen.uq.edu.au/entomology/index.htm Lindsay, Brisbane, Australia

Australian Cicadas

Saturday, Sep/28/2002
I’m just letting people know that its cicada season again in Australia…mainly in reply to Kees’ (NZ) message. I caught my 1st cicada of the season last Saturday. Owen, Sydney, Australia

Cicada season

Friday, Sep/27/2002
All you Northern Hemisphere citizens will be hearing the last of our noisy friends while us down in the better half of the world will be just starting to hear that familiar sound of our beautiful cicada friends.I cannot wait for that sound and look forward to another season of observing and collecting.
It will be nice to see perhaps more messages left by Australian and NZ’ers which I can relate better to. Kees, Auckland, New Zealand

cicada are back

Thursday, Sep/26/2002
I have seen a few since I got back to school the beginning of September. The two I saw, were on the ground not moving. A friend of mine told me she saw one hanging on to her door. I remember about 1986 when the cicadas were here last time in large numbers. When do they plan on returning like that? Jill, York, PA

Saw my first Cicada!

Saturday, Sep/21/2002
I saw this thing sitting on a sidewalk at about (9/18/02) 9:30am. It wasn’t moving at all. I had NO IDEA what the heck this giant insect was (it was about 1n inch to an inch and a half big at the body with a huge wingspan). I watched it as I decorated the front of our store for fall, cautioning people to be careful as the walked past. One customer accidentally brushed it and it flipped over. That’s when the activity started. It slowly started moving it’s legs, then it would flap it’s wings like mad trying to right itself. It did this for about 3 minutes before someone stepped on it. I was obsessed with trying to find out what it was and just found cicada photos this morning. NORM, Youngstown, OH

Cicada found

Tuesday, Sep/17/2002
While leaving work last Friday there was a cicada sitting on the path out of the plant, he appeared very sluggish but moved quickly after I moved him into a nearby tree. This was at about 1130 pm and it was getting cool outside. Dave Hannam, Buffalo, NY

oh ya! say yes.

Sunday, Sep/15/2002
please will you have sex with me! i don’t care if you’re a boy or girl,cause’ i do both if someone really wants to have sex.please say yes please ! e-mal me with your answer at jennifer boop 9 [AT] hotmail.com. myou know u want it come and get it! becky hamolton, poulsbo,WA . USA

cicada

Friday, Sep/13/2002
how do yuo tell if there male or female?I think males have pointed abdomans and the females have opened ones am I right? keith, mosouri

im so sick of these darn cicadas

Friday, Sep/13/2002
i live just south of tulsa, oklahoma and have tons of cicadas taking over my place. just seeing one makes me shiver. if they didn’t buzz so loud they wouldnt be so scary. HOW DO I GET RID OF THESE THINGS???? and if i can’t get rid of them, when are they going to leave?? wendy peeples, okmulgee, oklahoma, usa

Where can I find cicada in san jose?

Thursday, Sep/12/2002
The girl that I like want to listen to cicada when she sleeps, where can i find some to put it in her backyard?? Michael, San jose, CA, USA

Cicadas at my wedding?

Thursday, Sep/12/2002
I am getting married in Rappahanok County, specifically Castleton, in June 2003. Will there be cicadas crawling on the cake and guests? Should I change the date to April? MSY, Castleton, VA

Cicada’s in CT this year

Thursday, Sep/12/2002
I noted that no one said they would be out this year and I’ve seen two types. First, the one we all know as the 17-year Cicada (large fly with long orange wings and big eyes) and then locust’s which I just find out today is another type of Cicada.Just lettin ya know! Billie Jo Anderson, West Haven, CT USA

Katydids EVERYWHERE

Wednesday, Sep/11/2002
Yeah, I know this has nothing to do with cicadas but here in northeast Arkansas we are in a plague of katydids, most likely Conocephalus; the little green ones with the whitish or yellowish wings. They’re EVERYWHERE by the thousands. They especially like to hang out around stores and restaureants in town with glass windows. I went through the drive-thru at Burger King last night and had at least a dozen of them clinging to my car by the time I had gotten my order. Anyway, I just thought I’d mention it. Like I said, it has nothing to do with cicadas, but it’s interesting nonetheless. Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

cicada flight

Wednesday, Sep/11/2002
Does anybody out there hava a photo or know where I can get one of a periodical cicada in flight? Breck, Ames, IA

cicadia

Monday, Sep/9/2002
what do you feed a cicadia if you catch one and are trying to keep it for a science project? spud, manchester nh

Cicada emerges on tire of Model T

Saturday, Sep/7/2002
While working under the model T a cicada emerged on the tire. Within an hour the wings were full and beginning to darken. Couldn’t test drive the car because it hadn’t left yet! Tom, Lapeer MI

What did they find?

Saturday, Sep/7/2002
A very long time ago my daughter found a giant fly. “There must be a mad scientist around here that’s working on flies in his lab” I captured the “fly” in a jar – it was hanging on a bath towel on the clothes line. We took it to the agriculture extention service in Clementon where we found out it was a cidada. Now my grandchildren found something hanging on their swing. It looked like a giant locust with claws. They’re 6 and called it a monster beetle. It looked like it was dried up and when I moved it with a stick it just dropped and sounded hollow. Someone told me it was a stage of the cicada. Could this be what the holes all over my yard were that I treated because I had grubs? Mary, Berlin Borough, NJ USA

Found 2

Thursday, Sep/5/2002
My sons are doing a bug project for school and have found 2 Cicadas. On was in our yard and one was found on the other side of town. Both were alread dead. I never know what they were. But my 10 year olds did. Regina, Birmingham, Al

JZ responses to Mary in Louisiana

Thursday, Sep/5/2002
Mary, the cicada your daughter found in Baton Rouge was probably an annnual cicada since the periodicals that emerged this year were long gone by then. There are 13 species of annual cicadas that have been recorded in the Baton Rouge area, so there were many potential candidates. John Z, Maryland

JZ responds to Larry from Baltimore

Thursday, Sep/5/2002
Yes, Larry you are correct in that periodical cicadas (Brood X)are due to emerge in the Baltimore, Washington, DC and western Maryland area in 2004. The adults usually become obvious around mid-May and will be dead by the 1st of July. They can & do eat, but breeding is of utmost concern. You can keep them alive for a few days if you can give them fresh tree twigs that can still draw water from a vase or jar. John Z, Maryland

Man what a huge bug!

Thursday, Sep/5/2002
I didn’t know what it was
so I capture’d it hoping it might be
that alien bug never before seen
that was eating people in India
Last month in August.
So I got on the internet
I think I found it, it’s a
Cicida, but this thing is huge
2 inches long and an inch wide
and made one heck of a very loud noise
when I captered it.
It’s a camflauged color of a dark and light green color could be from the
foilage it eats. Alan, Lorretto, MN.

bugs

Wednesday, Sep/4/2002
im doing a sculpture project that just so happens to contain a cicada in it and i need to know wher i can find scientific diagrams of this insect. i keep looking and i havent turned up a thing except for a poorly drawn cicada in the michigan thing. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 violet, Indianapolis

Freaked Out

Tuesday, Sep/3/2002
I had to run out to my car for something and when I ran back up the stairs I saw a dark figure by the mailbox on the house and when I came up on it, it was a CICADA. I got freaked out and ran back down the stairs until my father got it to fly away. Why are so many people excited about this huge alien looking creature? KKH, Riverdale, MD

origin

Tuesday, Sep/3/2002
where did the cicada originate? Ashley Branch, Kennett, MO

Periodic Cicada 2004?

Tuesday, Sep/3/2002
Unless I lost a year somewhere I believe the next 17 year brood will emerge in 2004. My question is: Do the adults ever eat? From what I remember of 1970 and 1987 they just mate and die if the birds don’t get to them first. Is there anyway to extend their adult life more than a few days? Very interesting insects and not as scary as people are led to believe. Larry, Baltimore, MD

Killing Cicadas

Tuesday, Sep/3/2002
A Teacher’s Edition Algebra 2 book dropped from a height of 4 feet works well when trying to kill a Cicada. Eric Redenbo, Cisne, IL

Question

Tuesday, Sep/3/2002
What type of cicada emerges with peachy colored body and very light green wings? There are pictures on the site, but not a tech. name with it. We fould several (22) exoskelitons and watched one emerge last thur. in Beloit, WI. Marcy, IL

Australian cicada site

Tuesday, Sep/3/2002
Have you seen the new cicada site from Australia? The address is as follows:http://www.zen.uq.edu.au/entomology/Kind regards, Matija Matija Gogala, Slovenia

AMAZING – CICADA IN BATON ROUGE

Tuesday, Sep/3/2002
My daughter, Melissa, who attends LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, called me one night (August 11, 2002) to tell me that there was a bug outside of her door. (She lives in a small apartmetn complex.) She said the bug was so big and was making so much noise that she was afraid to go outside. Well, eventually she did leave for class and mentioned what happened to a classmate. The classmade excitedly proceeded to tell her that what she had seen was a cicada and mentioned that the cicada emerged every 13 to 17 years. She, of course, is happy now that she knows what bug was making the noise. She now remembers hearing the same type of noise at our home in New Orleans many, many years ago. But since their appearance is not an annual ritual in this area, that I am aware of, maybe we should enjoy this emergence. In another month or so, when things return to quite, we will have forgotten all about them. Mary Holmes, New Orleans, Louisiana

cicadas

Monday, Sep/2/2002
what is the latin name for cicadas and any others that you know? Hannah, Bethesda,Maryland

In my house

Monday, Sep/2/2002
I have one in my house right now and my cats have found it and are ‘playing with it right now. Is that a problem? Steve, Northlake, Il, U.S.

IT’S INPORTAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Date: Saturday, Aug/31/2002
I have a homework assigment heres the question: Insects called cicadas spend moast of there lives underground. Many come above ground nley every 13 or17 yrs. In North Ameica people call 13 & 17 locusts. 12 14 or 16 year locusts?
EMail me at erinleigh [AT] attbi.com
Thanks Erinleigh, Helena MT USA

JZ responds to Rebecca from VA

Date: Saturday, Aug/31/2002
The three little dots on the cicadas head are actually eyes called “ocelli”. They are only sensative enough to be able to distinguish between light and dark. It is believed that they assist the insect to distinguish shapes and large objects while in flight. John Z, Maryland

Thank you

Date: Friday, Aug/30/2002
We found a cicada and were able to watch and video tape its coming-out-party. Our fourth grade daughter was able to take it to school today with the video tape to share with her classmates. I printed out your frequently asked questions and sent it with her as well. You do a great job with answering the questions and adding some good humor. We thoroughly enjoyed your web page. Thank you. Gale , Illinois

? what are the bindi like features on a cicada’s head?

Date: Thursday, Aug/29/2002
In Fredricksburg VA cicadas are dropping out of the trees…well like flies. I’ve seen hundreds, and I’m curious as to what the 3 small copper colored shiny dots are between the insects eyes. I couldn’t find an answer at the library.
Rebecca, Virginia

T. linnei now abundant in the evenings

Date: Tuesday, Aug/27/2002
Over the last week, the transition of T. lyricen being the dominant caller in the evenings to T. linnei as the dominant calling species has taken place here in Southern Maryland. Also of note, T. chloromera has been calling more this year in the afternoon and into the evenings than compared to the past few years. My guess: the very high humidity and continuous high temperatures (many 90 deg days) starting in the early morning hours. Whenever a cold front comes through and the temps get cooler, that evening and the following morning chloromera doesn’t call. John, Maryland

Australian cicada website

Date: Tuesday, Aug/27/2002
Hi. I’m based at the University of Queensland. This is a comprehensive site with information on Australian cicadas, images, sounds, links etc.Enjoy!www.zen.uq.edu.au/entomology Lindsay, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Looking for their husks

Date: Monday, Aug/26/2002
Great sight! I am an artist in RI and have for the past two years been collecting the husks of the cicada- this year I have found over 200 – I am interested in making a sculpture with them- if anyone would like to collect these husks and send them to me along with your thoughts on the insect I would be very happy– my address is
11 Job st.
Providence RI 02904 Thanks Pat P Bennett, Providence, RI

The Cicada killer wasps

Date: Sunday, Aug/25/2002
The Cicada Killer Wasps have take over my hill…I havn’t seen a cicada in months and the wasps are scaring me…Send help and exterminater not telling, I’m near boston,MA

What brood would be emerging in MA this year?

Date: Saturday, Aug/24/2002
We’ve found evidence of cicadas outside our workplace in Burlington, MA, and it started me to look into them. I see that they cycle in “broods”. What brood would be appearing in Massachusetts in August, 2002? Kim Avery, Chelmsford, MA, USA

Found One!

Date: Friday, Aug/23/2002
Hi there,Out in the park with the kids and found this massive bug, a bit wounded, struggling through the grass. I am pretty sure that it is a Tibicen Auletes, does this make sense? Dark green, brown and black markings that I must say look extremely cool. It’s underside has what looks like a white dusting surrounding dark brown/black and green; legs are light green.Send me some info as the kids and I are nursing this critter back to health in a box. What do they eat? I am assuming leaves and grass.thanks,rod rod cohen, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

cicada found

Date: Friday, Aug/23/2002
We found a live cicada.MY first graders and I had already talked about them. We brought him into the classroom,thought he was dead, but twice he began to sing, but he looks dead, wont move. Was he dying when we heard him? We all felt sorry for him. We want some info for 1st graders. linda moore, Wilson N.C.

Cicadas and hot weather

Date: Friday, Aug/23/2002
So far I have found it to be true that cicadas singing in the morning is consistent with hot weather. Some cicadas, Tibicen chloromera and T. lyricen in particular, love the hot mid-afternoon hours for singing, and if the morning is really hot, they will often get an early start. On the other hand, if it is cool and/or cloudy in the morning, they will usually wait until it heats up to start calling. Nick., Cicadas of Arkansas

Answering questions

Date: Friday, Aug/23/2002
Hello everyone,I’ve been asked to assist Dan in answering your questions on this board. Since Dan will be unavailble for at least another week, please feel free to forward your questions to me at les_daniels [AT] yahoo.comI’ll do my best to answer your questions as quickly as possible.Les Les Daniels, Fremont, Ohio U.S.A.

Gonna be a hot one

Date: Thursday, Aug/22/2002
Is it true that if you hear cicadas in the morning that means it’s going to be a really hot day? Thats what I heard as a kid and it seems to be true Al, New Jersey

Dog is eating cicadas

Date: Thursday, Aug/22/2002
My dog is chasing and eating the cicadas in our back yard. It is disgusting!!! Barb, Washington, DC

Relationship of “Singing” and Temperature?

Date: Thursday, Aug/22/2002
The frequency and tone of their calls is related to the temperature, and the time of day. What exactly is the relationship? What temperature does it have to be?thanks
george
George Boccanfuso, Sarnia Ontario Canada

cicadas and drought

Date: Thursday, Aug/22/2002
can cicadas appear early because of drought conditions jesse einstein, potomac md

CICADAS UNDER MY DECK

Date: Wednesday, Aug/21/2002
THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS I HAVE BEEN SEEING THESE THINGS FLYING AROUND MY YARD . AT FIRST I THOUGHT THEY WERE HUGE BEES UNTIL I TALKED TO A FRIEND OF MINE WHO IS IN PEST CONTROL.I HAVE HOLES ALL OVER THE YARD BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THEY TUNNELED UNDER MY DECK.I HAVE SEEN 2 FEMALES GOING IN AND OUT.SO TONIGHT I DUG UP AROUND THE DECK AND I MUST PICKED UP 100 OF THESE THINGS.ALL WERE THE GREEN COLOR BUNCHED IN 2s AND 3s . ALSO I FOUND TWO EGGS THAT WERE ABOUT 1 INCH LONG WITH A WHITE NYMPH INSIDE DON’T KNOW IF THEY ARE CICADAS OR NOT. JOE LEH, BERKS COUNTY , PA

Found two!

Date: Wednesday, Aug/21/2002
I’ve always heard them around, but never seen a live one, until today. There was a male on the street light pole outside my house. He was making his racket, and then a female arrived at the same pole. Kenneth Tucky, Ontario

New Cicada Enthusiast !!!

Date: Wednesday, Aug/21/2002
Hey Everyone,
I’ve recently become amazed with cicadas. I’m learning so many cool new facts. Unfortunitly I haven’t seen a real live one. So if anyone has any tips on finding one please email me at karej429 [AT] hotmail.com.
Thanks!
& Good Luck 🙂 Kary Johanesen, New Jersey

Live Adult Cicada Found

Date: Tuesday, Aug/20/2002
I found a live adult cicada this morning on the front stoop of our laboratory building. I live and work in the Catskill Mountain area of NY for a water supply reservoir. The area is rocky & forrested mostly white pine, and hardwoods.
There was a trace of rainfall on the morning I found it. I found it 8/20/02 at 10:00 a.m. Jeff Helmuth, P.E., Shokan, NY (Ulster County)

please answer

Date: Tuesday, Aug/20/2002
for a project i need 5 interesting facts about cicadas…. has anyone got any good ones???? please email me at fairydust8000 [AT] hotmail.com thankyou katie, australia

is the 17 year cicadas here?

Date: Monday, Aug/19/2002
i remember i think it was in 1985, my son was about 14. he was mowing the back yard and these cicadas were atacking him, he wore a football hat and was trying to run from them. i was driving down the street and they would fly inside the car while i was driving!!
was wondering if this year is when they will be like then? not sure of the year. it was either 1985 or 1986.
thank you,
paula jane paula jane, dayton, ohio

cicada

Date: Monday, Aug/19/2002
I have so many cicadas in my yard it is driving me crazy what can i do? I have alot of black ones and i saw one green one. i want to spray. i had a tree company come out because they are every where Help!!!! jill, bloomfield, michigan

Response ….

Date: Sunday, Aug/18/2002
Response to:
slakers up in the piece!
Date: Sunday, Aug/11/2002do you guys ever answer these questions — Penis, State of the Crabs….
They’re on vacation from July 31 till Sept.. read the front page of the website!
WebPageReader, PA

Cicadas everywhereeeeeee…..

Date: Saturday, Aug/17/2002
There are hundreds of cicadas in the trees near my house and I need to catch one for a Zoology project for school next year; thing is, they are too fast! I was so close to cathing one, nevermind being deafened by the buzzing noise and it flew off before I could capture it…anyone know a good way to capture a cicada?Adema3496 [AT] aol.com Candyce, Baltimore, Maryland

All the cicadas live in my yard!

Date: Saturday, Aug/17/2002
When I see these bugs…I want to be sick! They are sooo huge…what is their purpose? I saw a little finch fighting one, even the birds think they’re sick! When I go out at night, they find me! I think they like me, kind of like a person who hates cats and the cat rubs on that persons leg. I was in my basement, ironing and there was one attracted to the light (I just came in because one kept flying around my porch.) This second one, kept bagging into the slotted window of the door (no screen). So I went to close the window so it was open just a crack and a few minutes later that bug came flying through the teeny-tiny opening, like a freaking bat out of hell! NO LIE! I screamed like a banshee! Poking around for a few minutes with no luck I went back to my ironing–Low and behold a couple of minutes later who comes crawling up from underneath the ironing board, but this nucluear sized fly! I almost DIED. Well, I found a mason jar and screamed for my husband, he took it and put it outside the other basement door and he could not close the door fast enough the determined disgusting bug flew in before the door shut. Well, that bug, unfortunatly lost. To say the least we have many more. What do the females look like? Kruzen [AT] aol.com put cicada in the memo area. Lisa, Northern Chester County

Is it dead?

Date: Friday, Aug/16/2002
We saw a big cicada at work today on the outside stairs. It was just sitting there on the ground. We thought is was dead so we poked it.
It started to crawl a bit.
I think it’s still out there.
Is it dying?
Anna & Angie, Canada

Large amounts of Cicadas

Date: Thursday, Aug/15/2002
Have lived in the Bucks County, PA area for 13 years and by far this year in Washington Crossing there is an abundance of cicadas everywhere! Mayb the drought conditions have brought morre out than usual? Carole D., Washington Crossings, PA

Cicada Killer Wasps

Date: Thursday, Aug/15/2002
I was very surprised when walking to the subway to see this huge “mutant” thing carrying another large bug. I stopped in shock. Well now I’m calmer as I have identified it as a Cicada Killer Wasp (or at least I think I’m calmer!) Anyone else every see these in Brooklyn? Amanda, Brooklyn, NY

Cicada picture

Date: Thursday, Aug/15/2002
I have a pretty good picture of a cicada I’d like to send you.Thanks. ronoquinn [AT] comcast.com Ron O’Quinn, Ladson, S.C.

Tyler from PA

Date: Thursday, Aug/15/2002
Give your email address and I’ll tell you what I can about keeping cicadas alive. Or just send me an email and I’ll send a reply that way. Mine is stnick127 [AT] collegeclub.com. Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

Dog Day Cicadas

Date: Wednesday, Aug/14/2002
Wow — is it hot in Jersey. Plenty of Tibicens too. Dan (Cicada Expert!), NewJersey

Raising Cicadas

Date: Wednesday, Aug/14/2002
I’ve always been interested in catching bugs. It all started with catching Japanese beetles in my grape vines. When I first saw a cicada shell, my friends said that is was locust shell. That was in 1999. I didn’t see one untill this summer. I found them all over the place! Every tree I looked on had them. Finding them has became my hobby. One time when I found a shell it seemed a little heavy. I couldn’t belive it! It was a live locust! I tried to raise it, but some of the mean bully kids squashed it. I was so sad that day. A week later, I found another live one. It got away. The next day, I acually caut one. I have it in a jar as I’m typing this. I want to know how to raise and take care of one. I hope you have some info! Oh, and thanks to this site I know that it’s a cicada. Hope your vacation was fun!!! Tyler Marini, Greenville, PA

Attention: Brian J. Prichard

Date: Wednesday, Aug/14/2002
Brian, please contact me at my email of les_daniels [AT] yahoo.comIt is important and I’m hoping you can help. You’re original email I have in my address book is no longer valid. Thanks – Les Les Daniels, Fremont, Ohio U.S.A.

2nd sighting of cicada

Date: Wednesday, Aug/14/2002
last night my co-workers and i had a cicada in the breakroom this was the 2nd time we had come in contact with it. the first time we saw it, our female employees claimed that it was attacking them. (it was just flying around and they were in it’s way) ken, Cleveland,Ohio

Found a stange bug

Date: Wednesday, Aug/14/2002
We think we found a cicada in our front yard but we aren’t sure. We’ve never seen one here before but we just visited Chicago & learned about them. Why are we now seeing them here? Nancy, Meghan & Emilie, Royal Oak, MI 48073

Definately not Giant Ticks

Date: Wednesday, Aug/14/2002
We started seeing these strange exoskelletons on the trees outside our house and were very curious as to what they were. I jokeingly said they must have been giant ticks, and my wife thought they must be locusts. I never saw what came out of them untill the other night when I went out to walk the dog and found one drying it’s wings. I promptly ran inside and and got the digital to take some pictures and got some real doozies. At this point I thought they might be cicadas but I had to be sure. After a bit of research, I came upon this site and it proved what the beautiful green bug with the glassy wings was. I am so excited and hope I get to see more. Is there a season for these in New Jersey? and if so, When can I expect them. Also, what kind are these bright green ones and are they on this 17 year cycle I keep hearing about? Please e-mail me with any information at ltockman4 [AT] hotmail.com. Thanks and I appreaciate any info anyone can give me. Lee Tockman, Princeton NJ

sighting

Date: Tuesday, Aug/13/2002
Got to see my first Cicada last week. Really neat. Marilyn, Gardiner, Maine

male or female

Date: Tuesday, Aug/13/2002
how do u know if a cicada is amale or female? dude, whitby ontario canada

Silver Spring and Brooklyn Cicadas

Date: Monday, Aug/12/2002
David,
I’m from Silver Spring. The 17 year cicadas will be back there in 2004, but you have other cicadas every summer. Does anyone know if there any cicadas in Manhattan? Margaret , Brooklyn

Re:Killer Wasps

Date: Monday, Aug/12/2002
I know what you mean about having them all over your lawn! I have them so bad, you can’t even walk outfront. They have come after us(my husband & I) and after my dogs. I guess they are protecting their nests, but still. We too have tried everything, the only thing that works is cool weather. We had a few days of nice temps, and we did not see one!! I can’t wait til fall!!! Then, we are going to try & kill the larve in the holes. The strange part, we never ever hear ciadas around!!! Go figure! I can’t help w/info on killing cicads, I don’t think that is the answer. You can call an exterminator, they can treat the lawn, but it’s coslty & you may need several treatments. Good luck!!! B, PA

i just now at age 37 held my first live cicada

Date: Sunday, Aug/11/2002
a neighbor was over and happened to see it clinging to a tree in the yard. we held it and looked at it for a bit then let it go. i sure wouldnt mind knowing what sort we have here. i have seen the word broods many times here tonight but the bugs are here every year. are they still the sort thjat hatch every 7 or 17 years? the cicada was grayish except for some very dark green markings on its back. Gerald, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

slakers up in the piece!

Date: Sunday, Aug/11/2002
do you guys ever answer these questions Penis, State of the Crabs….

Brood IX stragglers?

Date: Sunday, Aug/11/2002
I’ve seen a few cicada exoskeletons laying around this year and I’m looking forward to a huge infestation next year! I remember the last time they came– I was only 8 and I used to dream of what I would be like 17 years from then… Would I be any fun? Would I still climb trees? Would I still play with the cicadas? I can’t wait to introduce my little son to the incredible cicada phenomenon! And yes, I still climb trees! Julia, Reston, VA

cicadas in Maryland

Date: Sunday, Aug/11/2002
When will cicadas emerge in Maryland? David, Silver Spring, MD

Cicada

Date: Sunday, Aug/11/2002
I moved here to PA from CA last spring and am discovering all kinds of new critter life here (like the centipede on my dining room wall but that’s another story!)
Found this ugly beautiful creature on my doorstep this morning, unfortunately, dead. Neighbor said it was a June bug but when I checked bug websites, it wasn’t a match. Then I remembered hearing about Cicadas from my grandparents in Kansas. Ta-Dah! Thats what it is and that’s what all the racket is in my neighborhood!Great website ! Thanks for all your information Sandy, Enola, Cumberland County, PA

Thanks for having the web site

Date: Sunday, Aug/11/2002
I awoke one hot August morning to my 5 year old son adn 3 year old daughters question – WHAT is that noise.I explained that it was a bug. A minutes later I was in the front of my house very excited to see a cicada that was recently hatch, with great excitment I got the kids and brought them outside to see what bug made all that noise. That lead to even more questions.I immediately went searching on the web and came up with your website.You had all the answers and the best pictures, we even downloaded some sounds.So thanks for helping a mom explain what all that noise is.Keep up the good work. Eileen Signorelli, Staten Island NY

cicada singing

Date: Sunday, Aug/11/2002
The cicada singing is deafening in my neighborhood. I just finished making an outdoor video and we couldn’t hear the people speaking because of the cicada ‘chat’.If anyone needs more cicadas, go to Northbrook Illinois. You won’t be disappointed. Wendy, Northbrook, IL

heard lots of ’em – first sighting last night…

Date: Saturday, Aug/10/2002
One crawled out of the flower bed onto the kids’ li’l tikes play slide. We watched it split its’ back, creep out of its’ skin, extend (and dry) it’s wings, then change color and sit in the sun waiting to be eaten by a bird… Ray, Plainfield, IL – 35miles west of Chicago

an old Ojibwe tale about the cicada

Date: Saturday, Aug/10/2002
Cicadas usually appear around the Great Lakes area in August. I thought I would share one of my favorite stories told to me when I was a youngster. (Folklore is an imortant part of the Ojibwe culture.) Winiboozhoo is a common character in our folklore; he was one of the first human-like beings made by the creator (Gitchimanitou). THE CICADA AND WINIBOOZHOOFrom the beginning of time, children resisted eating vegetables and fruits, objecting that cabbages and such were such a disagreeable and unappetizing green. To persuade children to eat vegetables and fruits, Winiboozhoo stumbled on the idea of dying them hundreds of different shades to confer beauty and flavor on them. But before he was half done with this enormous task, an enemy came along during the night and stained everything with a film of fine cold, white dust. Winiboozhoo was forced to start over not once but many times before he learned who his enemy was. From the beginning he suspected it was his brother Pukawis but it wasn’t until he heard derisive laughter, muted and disguised though it was, that he was sure. Finally, unable or unwilling to put up with the despoliation of his work by frost or snow even if it was done in jest, Winiboozhoo caught a cicada and put it to work, painting the fruit and vegetables so he could devote his time and energy to pursuing the enemy.
The cicada took up the assignment readily. However because Winiboozhoo’s instructions were rather vague, the cicada painted everything, including the grass and leaves. Winiboozhoo was so preoccupied with overtaking his mischievous brother Pukawis that he forgot about the cicada.
To this day the cicada can be heard on hot days, sometimes as early as mid-July, starting the duties that Winiboozhoo assigned him: painting the land to usher in autumn. Abbey, Mankato, MN

Cicada Killer Wasps

Date: Friday, Aug/9/2002
Each year, our yard is over run with Cicada Killer Wasps which burrough in the ground, lay their eggs and find Cicadas from the trees to deposit in the burroughs for their larve to eat.This year, the infestation is worse than ever. You may walk into the yard and see literally hundreds of Cicada Killer Wasps flying around. They
do not bother humans but these burroughs they dig are similair to that of
mole crickets and they are generally annoying. If they were to sting someone, it would be a very painful ordeal.Anyway, we have attempted some of the suggestions made on Cicada Killer Wasp websites to discourage them from coming to our yard to no avail. We have used lime around the yard, flooded the yard with water
and generally tried to rid the yard of these wasps.The only other solution is to next take away their motovation and kill the
Cicadas in the nearby trees. What would it take to do this and would it
rid our yard of Cicada Killer Wasps finally?BHW Barton Workman, Tampa, Florida USA

Information Please

Date: Friday, Aug/9/2002
I was startled the other day when watering as a cicada nearly the size of a sparrow flew out of the bushes. I had never seen a cicada, nor any insect of that size for that matter, that large. It was dark, almost black with yellow spots. Does anyone know what that describes or where I can find more out about them?Thx… Dallas BKK, Dallas, TX, USA

Lots of em

Date: Thursday, Aug/8/2002
Over the last few days we have had lots!
of noise….they are all over the place.
do they come out every 13-17 years?
we have been here 12 years and this is the first time we have heard them.
scoozer66 [AT] yahoo.com Sarah Bauer, Fountain,CO

Tibicen linnei

Date: Thursday, Aug/8/2002
I have a few questions regarding T. linnei. The first concerns the range in which it is found. Does this creature inhabit northern Texas? Also, does its call sound similar to that of a rattlesnake? Any info would be greatly appreciated. John V., Wichita Falls, Tx

Cicadas in 2003

Date: Wednesday, Aug/7/2002
Please help! I am planning an outdoor wedding reception in July 2003. It will we held at Sharon Woods Village in Sharonville, Ohio. WIll there be an infestion of cicadas at that time? I certainly don’t want them invited to my big day! Please E-mail me at SKrehb5754 [AT] aol.com
Amy Amy Krehbiel, Cincinnati, Ohio USA

Cicadas attracted to Lights at night!

Date: Monday, Aug/5/2002
Over the past four years, I have been keeping track (species & sex)of any annual cicadas that are attracted to any of my three outside lights. I usually have about a dozen cicadas that will come to the lights during the summer. This year however, I guess because of the heat and humidity, I am having an abundance of cicadas coming to my outside lights! Just a few days ago I had 6 cicadas come to lights in one night! (4 lyricen and 2 chloromera). I usually hit them hitting the glass doors (a very distinct sound) and find them hanging on the screen or on the ground. Since July 10, I have had 26 attracted to the lights. This is double the amount during an average year and there is still a lot of summer left. Its interesting that most of the cicadas have been female T. lyricen! Anybody else have any similar experiences?
So far this year, John Z, Maryland

T. robinsoniana now locally abundant, T. davisi is now common & N. hieroglyphica is finished for the year.

Date: Monday, Aug/5/2002
Since we have been experiencing many 90 degree days, Tibicen robinsoniana has been extremely abundant in certain localities. Its very slow coarse continous “runt…runt…runt” is very unique and can be heard almost every afternoon (usually after 1pm and before 6pm). T. chloromera, T. lyricen & T. davisi (short, high-pitched whine lasting about 10 seconds) make up the morning and noon chorus. An occasional T. auletes may call around noon. Things seems to be quiet until around 6pm, when T. chloromera has been calling lately in the late afternoon/early evening. About a half an hour before dusk, T. lyricen (long monotone rattle lasting 40-60 seconds) and T. auletes (very loud chh..chh..chh…chh) begin to call and do so until just about dark.
Only one T. linnei called for a few days a few weeks ago, but as in years past I expect T. lyricen to start to decrease and T. linnei start to increase around the end of August. N. hieroglyphica was last heard on August 2 and is probably finished for the year. John Z, Maryland

Find

Date: Monday, Aug/5/2002
I was digging today, trying to kill some vines that were climbing up my house. After about three shovels, I noticed an off brown lump sitting in the soil. Upon close examination, I believed it to be a Cicada skin, then it moved. I was worried the critter would die, so I had my six year old place him on a tree. Within a couple hours the Cicada had shed his skin and was ready for business! Incredible find and I took several pictures (hope they come out).
My son obviously became interested so I did an internet search and found your site. Incredible find! Thanks just for being here. Jim, Colorado

Tibicen auletes

Date: Monday, Aug/5/2002
I was just beginning to notice that these guys haven’t made a peep all year, when all at once, they’ve shown up rather convincingly in the last few days. As usual they gather in groups so you always hear them when they’re anywhere close! =) Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

Cicada Sighting

Date: Monday, Aug/5/2002
We have tons of cicadas in our backyard. They frequently attach to our house or lay on our deck. I have to be honest, they are not in the least attractive. Perhaps they haven’t come out of their “shell” yet? Anyway, I have great respect and appreciation for them. Saw one on the bricks of the house yesterday; blue jay snatched it and ate it – very disappointing. This morning a new one is sunbathing on the deck. Ahhh, the circle of life I suppose. Shelley, Brantford, Ontario, Canada

Wasps

Date: Monday, Aug/5/2002
Well, these wasps are no fun dealing with!!! I wrote about them awhile back, well, they are still all over my lawn, & keep making new nests… I have been able to find new info on them, but still nothing helps. Except… cooler weather… They may not ‘attack’ but when you have 10-20 flying around at your house, you still don’t want to walk through them. They have gone after my dogs. So, the only thing that seems to get rid of them will be the fall weather…. When that hits, I will have to find all the holes and ‘treat’ them so as to kill any eggs that were layed there. B, Delaware County,PA

Cicadas make me scared-y!

Date: Monday, Aug/5/2002
tonite i was sitting around not doing much and whatnot and then all of a sudden i heard a CRAZY noize and i looked over and saw this HUGE SCAAAAAAAAARY bug flying all about the room and into my face, chest and neck like a crazy person! i was so scared i almost pooped my pants right then and there (but i didn’t!). nope, i chased it around and finally caught it with some tongs and threw it back out the window. YAY!!! then i had an ice cream cone because i was so happy it hadn’t killed me and eaten my body (or filled it full of eggs or something). bye.(p.s– the scary bug i was talking about? it was a cicada. OH YEAH!)(p.p.s.– do you peoples like cicadas or something? I SURE DON’T!) Randall, NY

Scary Cicada Story

Date: Sunday, Aug/4/2002
Today I found a cicada attacking my pet poodle in the backyard. She was frightened so I hit it (the cicada) with my electrified fly swatter. It had no effect. It flew at my face and I tripped over the poodle. Cicada’a are scary. Your web site is cool. Will you send me a free t-shirt? tommy, mount holly, nj

Sighting

Date: Sunday, Aug/4/2002
Two or three sighted in Red Bank, NewJersey in the past weeks. Sheila, Red Bank, New Jersey

Cicada Sighted

Date: Sunday, Aug/4/2002
On August 4, 2002 at about 10 pm, a cicada coming out of its shin hung over my door as I went into my house. When it finished coming out of its ugly skin, it spread its beautiful thin leaflike green wings. I took pictures with my digital camera.Do they really stay in the ground for 17 years?Logan Logan Cantu, Grifton, Nc

too many cicadas messing up my lawn!

Date: Saturday, Aug/3/2002
I bought my house a little over four years ago. Like clockwork, every year around late June and early July I find these little holes in my lawn, usually close to trees or my hedges. The holes are about 1/2 inch in diameter and up to 5 or 6 inches deep. Upon closer inspection I also find anywhere from 15 to 40 of these nasty looking bug skins/shells either in the grass at the base of the bushes or sometimes attached to my wooden shed or kid’s wooden swing set. The bug skins are usually split down the back at which point something obviously emerged in some different form. Being a reasonably intelligent person I figured that some form of insect had crawled out of the ground (hence the holes) and shed it’s skin. When I took these skins to my local gardening center I was informed that they were some form of grub. Three years and two bags of grub treatment later I still counted about 35 “grub” holes in my lawn along with the accompanying shells. One night last week I noticed a large insect burrowing into the dirt in my flower patch like a dog looking for a bone. The bug turned out to be a cicada bug as it was big and metallic green and had large wings that made a lot of noise. I chased the bug away and filled up the hole with a rock only to come back the next day to find a freshly dug hole next to the blocked one. I also hear them buzzing around outside almost every day. I even found one in my house (actually my three year-old spotted the critter). I then decided to do some research on the internet and to make a long story somewhat shorter I now think that I have a lawn full of cicada bugs that create these holes and then leave their skins all over the place. I even went on one website that showed one of these critters shedding it’s skin. It looked just like the skins I have all over my yard. But why do they keep coming back every year? Aren’t they supposed to be on some sort of 13 or 17 year cycle? Will they eventually destroy my lawn or shrubs and if so how can I get rid of them? I know they like to eat plants and roots and things. I’m open for any information or suggestions anyone might have. malbug [AT] aol.com Mark Bugbee, Baltimore, MD

Green cicada

Date: Saturday, Aug/3/2002
Saw a cicada buzzing around a streetlight near my house – then the next night found one skittering around a parking lot – he was olive green. It’s been real hot and humid the last few weeks! Steve Carpenter, Lafayette, Louisiana

Cicada sightning

Date: Saturday, Aug/3/2002
Aug 03 2002 sighted a green cicada in the garden..very fascinating… sandy, Buena Vista, Virginia

Cicada sightning

Date: Saturday, Aug/3/2002
Aug 03 2002 sandy, Buena Vista, Virginia

Cicada Killer Wasps

Date: Friday, Aug/2/2002
I just ran into these large wasps, and had a crash course on them. You can go to this web site to learn more about them. Very interesting creatures. http://ww2.lafayette.edu/~hollidac/cicadakillerhome.html Jodi, MI

cicada killers

Date: Friday, Aug/2/2002
Tonite my girls and I were walking to our next door neighbors and came across what appeared to be some type of ant nest, when the mutant bee flew out at us we quickly changed our tune. After finding a dead “bee” and doing a little research I am almost sure it is a cicada killer. Any advice on when to watch for one in action? The girls and I think it would be interesting to see the food chain at work. June, indianapolis

hibrination

Date: Friday, Aug/2/2002
Ive been told that cicadas hibrinate for seven years, then they come out for a season, then hibrinate again for another seven years, so on and so forth. andrew schwartz, Chicago , IL

I saw a cicada on my porch

Date: Friday, Aug/2/2002
Hi i am 15 years old and i was outside of my porch and i saw this ugly big bug and it was laying still on the ground not moving. Then my dog went up to it and would touch it then it would flip around not flying but its wings or something made a lound sound and it was hop rolling around. Then my dog ate it but i had no clue what it was. The next day i found out it was a Cicada and i was wondering if they really do only come every 17 years and if so are they coming this year? Also is it bad that my dog ate it? If they are invading this year about how long do u think they would stay, and do they bite people like other insects? I live in maryland and i know that there is an insect that is coming within the next few years but should i expect to see Locusts or Cicadas? Thankyou,
Tallie
Tallie, Olney Maryland

How long are cicadas around for each year?

Date: Thursday, Aug/1/2002
I am working on a science newsletter involving sounds in your backyard. I would like to include cicadas, but the letter will not be distributed until early to mid September. Will cicadas be around through September? Roxanne, Albuquerque, NM

Rachel from Texas

Date: Thursday, Aug/1/2002
There are several species of cicadas, and each one has its own unique call. The one you heard to the south was likely a cicada, just a different species than what you have in the Dallas area. Unfortunately I don’t have much experience with the western cicada species, so I couldn’t begin to tell you what kind it may have been. The western species are different frrom those in the east, and the changeover occurs roughly through the plains states and central Texas. Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas

Cicada?

Date: Thursday, Aug/1/2002
Hi. I’m stumped. I’ve just returned from the Brownsville area of the Rio Grand Valley in the south tip of Texas. Down there is a bug that makes one very loud, high pitched sound, almost deafening if too close. It slows down similar to the cicadas up here in the DFW area, sort of sounding like a chain saw comming to a stop, but the bug is much higher piched. Is this a cicada? If so what sort? Any help appreciated!!
Thanks Rachel, Texas

Cicada in my apartment…

Date: Thursday, Aug/1/2002
I have a cicada in my apartment… should I be concerned? It appeared to be attracted to my house light. How long do you think it will live? J, Baltimore, Maryland