May 23, 2004
May 19th – May 23rd 2004 Cicada Comments
Filed under: Brood X | — Dan @ 11:32 am
None Yet!!!!
Date: Sunday, May/23/2004
Kinda want to get it over with! Alan, Hauppauge. Long Island
Where are they
Date: Sunday, May/23/2004
I have been watching for them everyday. Nothing yet here =( Frank, Toledo, Ohio
Awaiting the Wonderous Cicadas
Date: Sunday, May/23/2004
Many storms here over the last week, lots of flooding in S.E. Michigan, cool soil tempertures. Hopefully the babies are in waiting. Envious of those who are now in the midst. Searched in southern Washtenaw County..none so far. Can’t wait for an emergence of Brood X nearby my location in western Wayne County. Has anybody seen them yet in S. E. Mich? And shame on the Humans that are doing the Magic Cicadas harm…watch that your Karma doesn’t whip back around at you. Respect their life. Deb, Western Wayne County, Mi.
airport invation
Date: Sunday, May/23/2004
hey they are at cvg (airport) they love apu’s on planes and ac units drew, hebron ky
TN Cicadas…
Date: Sunday, May/23/2004
Hey, East TN – if ya’ll don’t care,
just keep them there – it’s quiet
in southern middle-TN, so far!
(fingers crossed, of course!) Annette, Summertown, TN (Lawrence County)
Cicadas are still awake even at night
Date: Sunday, May/23/2004
Its almost Midnight on Saturday Night.I went outside and just observed at least a Hundred or more still Singing on the pavement of my street in front of my house under the Street Light.It seems that they are attracted to light at night which explains why there are so many out on my front step in the Morning after leaving the front light on all night.I Dont remember this in 87 Ron and Mary, Annandale, Virginia
Noise is peaking here in southern Indiana
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
Incredible noise in some areas of town today. Out in the Hoosier Nat’l Forest today the background drone gave the eerie feeling of a Japanese monster movie. I suppose it might get louder yet, but it’s hard to imagine. Mike, Bloomington, IN
epicenter in princeton new jersey
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
Took a ride through Princeton today and opened the window…could hear them buzzing and vibrating like there was a UFO hovering overhead. I got out of my car and walked around. I looked at this one tree which may just have been the epicenter of all cicada activity in Princeton…there must have been upwards over 100000 cicada casings on just one tree…other trees in the vicinity were also mightily covered. I saw lots of dried dead cicadas on the sidewalk and driveways. I also saw something interesting…dead cicads which were half way out of their molting process…they were dried up…I guess something happened during the molting process that prevented them from finishing it and they just dried out.
I was quite amazing to hear their shrills in the air. It sounded like two distinct waves of noise…one was the general chirping and the second was the UFO type noise like it was hovering overheard and vibrating back and forth. I live about 10 miles north in Belle Mead and none have made it there so I think Princeton and Skillman which is a couple miles north is as far as they will get. mark, belle mead, nj
OMG
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
I live in the Cresent Hill area of Louisville and we are crawling (and flying and crunching). They are everywhere!!! This area of Louisville and the Highlands seems to be very popular with brood X. Must be all the old houses. We have been seeing more of the bats from Cave Hill flying around. Soon they will be too heavy to fly from all the crunch and munch. Lisa, Louisville, KY
I still haven’t seen any cicadas!!!
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
In response to the 5/18 entry from Debbie from Middlesex, NJ: Have you heard of anybody seeing them around here? I haven’t seen any and I’m not looking forward to it at all. In the paper it said that the epicenter for them is Princeton. Has anyone heard anything similar? Thanks. Tracy, Middlesex, NJ
Strange cicada emergence in new jersey
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
You can go a full circle around princeton, NJ and not find a single cicada but in and around the university campus there are millions of them. Maybe there’s some kind of funny microclimate there? Or perhaps they’ve died out in areas around princeton? alan w., new jersey
Green Lane Park PA–They’ve Arrived!
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
Last week I was visiting Arlington VA–and they were hatching. Next morning they were in full cry. I couldn’t believe their awesome sound!! I was thoroughly enchanted by these weird lovestruck critters. But I didn’t think we’d get them here in Suburban Philly area because I don’t recall them from 87. Today I went up to Green Lane Park and there they were!! It seemed to be a different species. The ones in VA had a lovely mellow tone–these sounded more shrill. They were very heavy in this one field by Rt 29, and I went to look. I saw a huge number of dead ones around the bottom of trees. A lot of them looked deformed. I was kind of worried, maybe the environmental pollutants are harming them? Laura , Oaks PA
None here.
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
There are no signs of anything Cicada here. Planning a trip to Cincinnati next weekend to hang with the cicadas instead. Josh , Ferndale, MI (Just north of Detroit)
Do cicada’s smell?
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
We have tons of cicada’s in our yard and we have been noticing a terrible smell lately. We are worried that there is an animal that died that we can’t find but is is possible that it could be an odor from all of the cicadas? We seem to have noticed it in other areas of our neighborhood as well. Does anyone have any info? Kristen, Rockville, MD
Can’t wait to see you!
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
I’m not a friend of creepy crawlies, but I’m excited to see them emerge.
So far I haven’t seen even one. I will take pictures of this event and send them to friends all over the world!
Ilona, Grove City,Ohio
Tey’re everywhere, they’re everywhere
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
There seems to be millions of them. I live in a wooded area and they are all over everything. We saw a lot of them comming out of the shell last night & it looks like they have none or almost no wings at all. Saw a lot of them in different stages, was a very interesting show! Carol, Coopersburg, PA
Pump up the volume
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
They really cranked it up today just north of Baltimore. I live on the 6th floor of an apt. building right next to the beltway and they were louder than the traffic. The noise seemed to start to taper off around 7 pm and they were silent by sunset (8:20 here today). Interesting creatures and all, but the noise is gonna get old pretty soon I suspect. greg, Towson, Md.
Millions!!! Cicada
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
Unbelievable! Louder than a chain Saw!!! Trees That were 25 ft apart appear now to connect! This is my 3rd time I’ve seen them in my life. There are so many at my place of employment they cannot all fit into the trees. They have spilled onto the roadway to be pulverized by autos. I have never witnessed so many. It is only their 3 rd day coming out. Dayton Ky is 3 miles southeast of Cincinnati Ohio. runninmn, Dayton, Ky.
What is so awesome about these ugly things??!
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
My daughter and I went walking around Ft. Benjamin Harrison, and they were everywhere! It wasn’t until I remembered reading an article earlier this week that I realized what they were. Some of my daughter’s classmates were telling her about them as well. I don’t like the summer bugs that come every year, let alone these nasty things! So, I am limited to the outdoors until the end of June! Traci, Indianapolis IN
Small emergence-Delaware
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
We have had a small emergence of cicadas here in my backyard, but so far, I have heard but one or two. I think that most may have been eaten by birds? Have tons of birds out back. About 2 miles away, just on the border of Elkton MD and Delaware, there have been many, many more. The loud humming sound is audible from a mile or so away. shishypat, Newark, DE
They’re here
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
I read a message that the Cicadas weren’t visible on campus two days ago. I just moved here from Minnesota and we never have Cicadas. But they are definitely visible now! Holy cow! MG, Miami University
None here!
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
Someone from this area posted these 17 year cicadas in Massachusetts, but as far as I can tell there are NONE in New England. Not even sure if there are any as far north as NJ. Tom Aloisi, Bridgewater, MA (southeastern Mass)
So loud
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
I woke this morning to the sound–I was sure someone had left the water running somewhere. I searched all over the house, but no faucets were running. I opened the front door and sound hit me. I live within 200ft of a major Interstate highway, yet the cicadas drowned out the sound of the traffic. Amazing. Anita, Arlington, Virginia
There here
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
Finally found my first cicada’s here on Long Island……….yippy Paul, Deer Park NY
Finally!!
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
Finally arrived on the northeast side. State Road 37 and 71st Street. Small emergance so far, we will see how it goes. Kim, Indianapolis IN
Big emergence ’round here
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
The cicadas started emerging about two weeks or so ago in Annandale (suburb of Washington, DC), and I think they may have hit their peak this weekend. There are literally millions of them – you cannot walk down the street without running into hundreds and hundreds. And the discarded shells are also everywhere. They are so LOUD!
This is pretty cool, but I am also glad to know they will be gone by the end of June. Squished cicadas are pretty icky. And one crawled up the leg of my jeans – ugh! Siobhan Green, Annandale, VA
kevin rasmussen, where exactly?
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
just where are the across from belle isle? anywhere in particular? i need to go and find some… minda, detroit ‘burb
Thank God!!!…
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
I’m very glad we don’t have them around here — swarms of insects like that, however harmless they may be, just creep me out!!! Kristin, Everett, MA
They’re FINALLY here!
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
Last week I posted that I haven’t seen or heard any and was VERY disappointed about it. I’ve been walking my dog every day searching for them in the woods nearby.
This morning, I opened the front door and could hear them VERY well coming from the wooded hill nearby. It’s an AWESOME sound!!!
We drove this morning around town to look for them. They can be heard very well on Riva Road in Annapolis.
I wish I could get some photos of them emerging out of their exoskeletons.
Varda, Arnold, Cape St. Claire
Cicada Invasion
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
Our back yard is full of cicadas. I was surprised to see so many since we live in town. Our home is 100 years old though and we have an old oak tree in our back yard. At night our yard is fully covered with them with only an inch or two between them. Of a morning our back door and steps are covered with them. They are on everything. The worst part is that the smell of them is starting to get nauseous. Debra, North Vernon,IN USA
Stonewall Manor filled with cicada crooning
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
Today (May 22) the cicadas were in full song in my Stonewall Manor neighborhood. Sitting on my deck, I could barely hear the neighbor’s lawn mower over the cicada singing. We are near the I-495/I-66 interchange, and normally the interstate traffic can be heard from my deck, but not today. Even the noise from the jet airplanes heading to National Airport are mostly drowned out by the cicadas. I was in Falls Church in 1987, but don’t remember them being this loud. It’s very impressive. Mike, Vienna, VA
Cicadas are Here & Noisy!!
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
Hi everyone…during the past two days the number and noise level of the cicadas have increased dramatically in the woods behind our house. Their symphony is at the highest level at the hottest part of the day, about 3 to 4 p.m. or so. Our Border Collie ate his first cicada last night on the porch…apparently, he really enjoyed the experience!
It continues to be absolutely fascinating. I’ll be sad when it is all over!! Cheryl VanDaalen, Falls Creek, Louisville, Kentucky
Cicadas on key.
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
The cicadas have been singing their song here in this part of East TN since around May 22. Their steady song seems to fill the nearby wood. TennTom, Blount County, Tennessee,USA
I haven’t seen any here..
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
I wonder if I’ll be seeing any cicadas around here. Part of me finds the fact that swarms of these things taking over my town is kind of cool. Another part of me is creeped out, because one bug alone is creepy enough! If they end up showing up here in high numbers, I will totally freak out! Ha-It’ll probably look like that movie “The Birds!”lol!-and at least my cats will have fun! Cait, Bergan County, NJ
How much longer????
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
Does anyone know when our unwanted visitors will be leaving or at least becoming dormant? These things are driving me nuts – they’re just plan nasty.
Elan, Fairfax, Virginia
You can have mine, I have plenty!!!
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
The Cicadas have taken over my property!!! I dont even want to cut the grass right now!!! I should wait till they quite down and do it at night to see how they like that!!! If anyone wants to take these bugs for research you are more than welcome to them. One condition, YOU MUST TAKE THEM ALL!!! David, Knoxville TN
cicadas everywhere
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
today has been the most exciting day so far… they are busily buzzing all over the place, its very loud. I live off a golf course with lots of trees and I can’t imagine how the golfers are concentrating on their game. My friend and I went for a walk and practically had to yell to be heard! nikki, reston, va
Noisy Cicadas
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
First week of May i did not Know what this noise was,and it was very loud and you new there was alot of them. I thaught at first bats but then i saw a story on good morning america. I then took a good look out in the back yard and sure enough it was cicadas. Hundreds if not thousands…This was the first week of May and they only started around dusk and went till 5 in the morning…Now you still hear them but theres not as many, you can tell the differnce….The Cicadas are in a garden that has a few trees around it on one side of the house but there not any where else around the house.I’ve never had such a noise keep me up through the night,the bed room windows are on the side of the house that looks into the garden…. michelle, (nonquit,)So.Dartmouth.Ma.
Cicadia Sighting
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
Saw a few starting about a week ago.
This morning there were several hundred on and around the sycamore trees in our front yard. Walt Mills, Springfield OH
ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BUFFET
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
This is the first time I’ve experienced this chaos. They are freaking me out. They don’t really serve much purpose, but I suppose this is pretty cool:
My husband called our local fly-fishing shop and asked if they thought he could use them as bait & if trout (and the like) will eat the cicadas….He replied “The trout should be pounding them once they figure it out!” He also said they should be huge in the fall. I imagine several other species of animals will enjoy gorging themselves and having a good healthy year. So at least they are good for something.
At the very least, just think of it as a ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BUFFET FOR MOTHER NATURE!!
Paula, Reisterstown, MD
Tool using cicadas??
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
I live in an old sea captain’s house on Barnegat Bay. There is a 130 year old Elm tree in the yard and from the amount of mud chimneys, we are expecting a shipload of bugs. However, our chimneys have sticks pulled into the holes, and even some green leaves. The sticks are up to 8 inches tall, some are little twigs,pointing staight up, very unnaturally, all over the place.The sticks go into the ground at least an inch. Our soil is sandy, could they use these sticks to maintain an air tunnel when it rains? Heide, Waretown, NJ.
They’re Here
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
They have come to Bedford. Although my house is a new construction and I feel many were killed during excavation, I have talked to folks to have tons around their homes. Erick, Bedford, PA
None Yet?
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
I live in Mooresville, IN about 40 miles north or Bloomington and I have yet to see any. I am starting to get depressed because I am pumped up for the invasion. The way everybody (media) talked is that they all come out pretty much the same time. The ground temps are far past 64 degrees and we have had lots of rain this week so the conditions are prime. I just hope they save the best for last. Good Cicada Hunting. Tyler Martin, Mooresville, Indiana
Cicadas in Dandridge
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
I’ve been actively searching and the only concentration of Cicadas that I’ve found in Tennessee were 30 miles or so southeast of Knoxville in Dandridge. Even there, thry were mostly spotty and while definitely loud they were for the most part all in the treetops being camera shy. Fred Hallman, Nashville, Tennessee
Cicadas on South Mountain
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
We’ve been hearing Brood X for about a week or 10 days now, all over the mountain. I wnet into an area where many are emerging, and their nymph ‘husks’ are on trees by the hundreds per tree. I don’t think it’s at a peak yet. So far, I have neither seen or heard them in the valley nearer Hagerstown. I don’t know why, just probably havent found the right place. Greg , Hagerstown, Wash. Co. MD
Clusters
Date: Saturday, May/22/2004
this is not the huge emergence we were hoping for but for the last two nights we have seen several thousand in a small cluster of woods next to our property. nymphs, adults, and all in between on low shrubs headed for the treetops. they’re getting louder, it’s a nice sound. Big Daddy G, Gambrills, MD
See what?
Date: Friday, May/21/2004
I have seen where a few people in my surrounding area have seen a few, but nothing here so far, I do leave outside of town in the country area of D-ville, but nothing so far.
I have been waiting, so I can show my kids what I got to see when I was their age!
On another note, I do think dogs can hear them coming! My dog seems to dig a lot lately too, she has been nose to the ground, digging since last week or so. Being as she is only a little over 4 pounds, she will be more scared of them then they are of her, it should be good for a laugh if she gets to see them in full force! Kathleen, Duncansville, Blair County, Central PA
cicadas are weird
Date: Friday, May/21/2004
hi, i woke up one morning to find shells all over the tires of my car. and that droning sound is so annoying. i live in front of a wooded area. anyways, i think they are on the trees somewhere now because i dont see them crawling in the grass anymore.
also, i’ve always wondered what was the point of the cicada life cycle. they are born larvae, live in the ground for 17 years, come out and die. that must be a great life… Drew, Rockville (Montgomery CO), Maryland
Sitting Ducks
Date: Friday, May/21/2004
I have been closely observing the emergence of cicadas here over the past few nights. I am struck by how vulnerable they are for such an extended length of time – molting out in the open. I figured that since most of them emerge at night, they avoid most predators, like birds.
Tonight I found one emerging on my screen door, with a large droplet of dark, almost black fluid dangling off it. Closer examination revealed that they are, in fact, succeptible to predators. While the Cicada was partially emerged, a soldier beetle simply began feeding on it, releasing a lot of liquid. Undoubtedly, the cicada must use that fluid to expand it’s body, cracking and emerging from its shell –
There must be a lot of soldier beetles feasting this week! Richard, Rockville, MD
Dead cicadas everywere
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
Ugh, the sidewalks are disgusting with smashed cicadas everywhere. At one point I looked down today and there were at least 20 cicadas within inches of my feet. Taylor, Washington, DC
they are everywhere
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
Well, I’ve got about 20000 in my back yard, and the yards not the big. Don’t go out there barefoot! They are crawling everywhere tonight and falling out of the trees. Awesome, but creepy too. Zach Winning, West Carrollton (Dayton), Montgomery CO, OH
Woo-hoo!!! At last they are here!
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
Yesterday I saw my first Brood X cicada near Berea, KY in a wooded area — could hear many singing, but only found one down near the ground.. It seems a pretty light emergence so far in central KY. Then today (after appearing on the morning news as a cicada “expert”) I found my first live cicada here in Lexington, right on the lawn of the Living Arts and Science Center! I took it inside to show it to my fellow workers — they had decided I was making up this whole story of cicadas, since we’d seen none so far. I breathed a sigh of relief since I am creating a small cicada exhibit to interpret the emergence — I was worried we’d see nothing here.
So this all got me so excited that I went and got my son out of preschool early and drove up to Cincinnati for the evening to see the BIG emergence in my sister’s backyard near College Hill. Thousands and thousands of cicadas everywhere!!! What a thrill. Now I have dozens of nymph shells to put in the exhibit. We’re having a cicada celebration on Saturday at the Living Arts and Science Center — we’ll be making “cicada time capsules” and cicada origami, among other things. Hopefully I’ll have completed my giant paper mache cicada by then! Roberta Burnes, Lexington, KY
I’ve seen a few, but mostly just wings…
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
I first posted on May 16th and I hadn’t seen one. Then a friend that lives in Hyattsville brought one over in a water bottle so I could see one up close and personal. The red eyes creep me out, but they are kind of cute. I’ve seen a few near Route 1 and Cypress Street (near Best Buy and Safeway), but none near my house. I think the birds know where they are though because every night I come home from work there are dozens of wings and heads on my sidewalk, walkway and front step. I haven’t heard them yet, but if they are in Beltsville like some of the posts say, I’m sure I’ll be able to hear them in the distance once they start their mating call. Ayanna, Laurel, MD
Cicada Shells spotted at Miami University grounds
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
Crunchy shells underfoot on my way to class…they look just like the photos…haven’t heard or seen any flying during the day however, YET! 🙂 A.M. , Oxford, Ohio
No Cicadas yet 🙂
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
Have yet to see or hear any emergence in the area. I wasn’t here in ’87 but it seems like a place that would have them. Its an older fully wooded community. I have several trees that are well over 100 years old. Maybe all of the shade keeps the ground cooler. I’ll be bummed if we don’t have any…. Steve, Cape St Claire, MD (Bay Bridge)
they’re here ….
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
The cicadas started emerging here on May 12, started flying and “humming” on the 17th.Every day the noise gets louder and the shells and newly emeging cicadas litter my garden. The sound could drive me over the edge.I live in a heavily wooded area, and the noise is deafening. Let me just turn my radio up a little louder.. Megan, Sharpsburg, Maryland
Nothing to report
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
I’ve been looking but not a one seen in yard or in parks near by. Dave Douglas, Grove City, OH
When are they coming?
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
Can anyone say when they will emerge here in North-Central Jersey? Kevin, Morris County, NJ
None Yet
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
If anyone has seen any in Yardley, PA, please give your section and what you see! Sharon, West Acres in Yardley, PA
Whre can I find Cicada’s in Ohio
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
I live in Medina, OH 30 miles southwest of Cleveland.
I am looking for the closest spot whre I can find Brood x cicada’s.
Thanks:
Gary Gary, Medina
They’re here, too
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
I have hundreds of them around my house. They started coming out within the last few days. We’ve had a lot of storms the last week and I’ve found the poor things hanging backwards from the trees, knocked off by the rain. They don’t appear very smart, and can’t navigate during flight worth a darn, but it has been fun watching them. Sure, they are making a mess in the yard and my dog is barfing them up on the couch, but I guess can handle it every 17 years.
Natalie, Winchester, VA
Think I might have seen my first…
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
Looks like there’s a nymph dangling from a leaf just outside the entrance to my office. I just hope I don’t have to clean up the walkway every day to rid my path of shells and carcasses! Dr. Jayson Levine, Cincinnati, OH
Waiting patiently and hoping
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
According to the news reports, the Cicadas have been seen in the Scranton area and Mountaintop. But none here yet. I’m about 50 miles north and east of Scranton. I’m hoping they will emerge here. I love the Cicada, and their “summer chorus.” We don’t have the common variety up here either, that is why I’m hoping this brood will arrive. The Cicada brings back many good and happy memories of my childhood, down in the countryside a little north of Philadelphia. I really miss them. Sandra Knapp, Lake Como, Northeast Pa.
Haven’t seen one!
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
I keep waiting for the gross, red-eyed buggers to appear around us since everyone else I know has been infested for a few days now. I’m guessing maybe the northeast suburbs are slower to emerge… hopefully that means we’ll have fewer! Jamie, Loveland, OH
Cicada eater!
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
I read the article about the yellow wasp that lays eggs in the cicada, but I have seen a BLACK wasp attacking a cicada. It clung onto it and bit off one of the wings, then flew away. It came back and wrestled the cicada off its leaf and subdued it on the ground. It thn proceeded to rip off legs and fly off to eat them, then scissored open the abdomen. When I came back later I saw only a hollow thorax with four legs. I dont theink the wasp laid its eggs in it… ^_^ Luke, Howard County, MD
Coming out in moderate numbers in Valley Forge
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
First couple showed up on 5/15 in the sunniest SE-facing spots here (Valley Forge Mountain.) For the last few days they’ve started to emerge in the shadier areas above the slope and under the trees. Still not in huge numbers, but just walking past the gardens this morning I saw 10 or 15 drying their wings, and many more cases. This is mostly-undisturbed oak forest (last logged >70 years ago I’d guess), so I’d imagine it’s close to ideal habitat. Randell Jesup, Malvern, PA
Still no Cicadas
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
Still have not spotted a single cicada. The rains over this past week have probably kept them underground for now. I’m sure that once it gets sunny again, they will be on the move. Mike H., Phoenixville, PA (Valley Forge, PA)
They are all over
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
We are next door to a orcard and they are all over this place. Rebel, Elkton Md
They’re here
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
I saw a few in my yard last night for the first time. I am at zip code 19539. Sue, Fredericksville, PA, Berks County
Ode To The Cicada
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
Who’s ‘afraida’ a little old Cicada?
We only get to see ’em every 17 years– Kinda makes ya wanna break out in tears!–So fear not when you behold their beady red eyes–For soon enough you’ll come to realize–The insect that tunnels its way through the ground–Just a little while longer will not be found–And if you should almost step on one accidently–Just pick it up nicely and say to it most gently: Oh Cicada, I’m sorry I almost squashed the life from you–And be very glad, for there’s no cicada goo on yer shoe!–The Cicada gets out there and sings its mating song–For it knows deep down it doesn’t have long–You see, the Cicada needs to be findin’ a mate–And it can’t be wastin’ precious time… no, it can’t be late!–So when you hear the Cicadas all ’round you there–Just keep your head down and them outta yer hair–For they will clumsily flutter into your path–How many of ’em you see?–You do the math! I’ve heard it said that they’re fine for cookin’–Man, they’re so ugly they’re kinda good lookin’!–But to eat the flesh of this beady red-eyed bug?–I’d rather fry me up a slimy garden slug!–Oh Cicada, Cicada… as you fly though the air–It’s okay, you can alight on me… if you so care–For I won’t be ‘afraida’ a little old Cicada–So see ya ’round next time…
See ya ‘lata’ Cicada! Lauri Clapper, White Post, VA
are we gonna get some of this X
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
hey, i was wondering if anybody knows if the brood will reach Western Long Island? The news around here mentions it, but there doesnt seem to be much action. If someone could leave a message to let us know it would be great, WE want in on some of this action 2! Joe , Nassau County, Long Island NY
I WISH THEY WOULD GET HERE!!
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
I am in lower York County Pa right above nicey-niceeysville Md and I have not found a single one!! We are waiting anxiously!! I did find some yesterday in Reistertown Md outside the Boston Market. They were all over the trees and ground but not an insane amount. Vicki, GLEN ROCK YORK COUNTY PA
Cicada free
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
Not a one here. Not that I’ve seen, at least. I lived in PA 17 years ago and remember them well. Tony, Raleigh, NC
Brood X in da house
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
Well, not really ‘in da house’, at least not yet. Hasn’t stopped my 4-year old from wanting to bring in some of his ‘buddies’ as he calls them. His daycare in Delhi is inundated with them, all over the parking lot, their playground area, etc. The birds are getting confused as they don’t know which one to chase next, they are a bit overwhelmed (and probably full). I bought a Cicadanator just for kicks. beer_advocate, Cincinnati, OH
Heard them but yet to see them…
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
I’ve heard them but I have yet to see them.. Actually yes I saw one flying arounf buts that it. When are the cicadas going to take full effect?! I am waiting and keep going outside to see whther there all around or not haha! Please let me know if there are any sightings around cause I am right by the Somerset border so we should get some here! Jason, Union County, NJ
first cicada
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
I saw the first blimpy, bumbling cicada yesterday evening but the surround woods resound with their noise. marianne, ashland, va
im still waiting………
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
hello, has anyone from the lancaster county area spotted any cicadas yet? im anxiously waiting to catch one! im in the city so maybe i need to get out to the county? thanks…. fasteddie, lancaster pa
Cicadas have taken over my yard!
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
I noticed a bunch over last weekend clinging to grass and the house,but now they have absolutely covered the ground and trees in my yard.Oddly enough i haven’t seen many in the front of the house but the backyard is covered.They’ve been emerging from their shells over the past few days but not much noise yet.The sheer number of them is amazing and i guess i still have the noise and smell to look forward to. Mike, Newark,DE
hatching on the rivers edge
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
i heard one on monday may 17th and then several today the 19th. i live on the Detroit river across from Belle Isle.
kevin rasmussen, detroit, mi,
Why Are People Happy About Cicadas?
Date: Thursday, May/20/2004
I can’t believe some of the posts here. How can anyone be excited about seeing something so ugly? All cicadas do is make noise, fly around and make our lives miserable until they mate and perish.
The cicadas i have seen in reston have been dead.
However every morning you can hear the loud roar.
I will be glad when this is over. joe, reston, va
No cicadas yet
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
I have not seen any cicadas yet. I have heard them since Monday and they are getting louder. Maybe they will skip my area. One can only hope. Debbie, Severna Park MD
Any Delaware sightings yet?
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
I was hoping we’d get them here, though we’re just on the border of the area indicated by the maps. Has anyone heard of any sightings in lower Delaware? When is the last date we can expect them — as in, if we don’t have them by that day we’re not going to get them? Leslie, Sussex County, DE
Cicadas
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
They are starting to appear, i have them all over my barn. Tate, white hall,md(harford county)
None yet….
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
So far I haven’t seen any here in Corvette City. My apartment complex is pretty new, though, so I’m guessing that moving all the dirt around probably got rid of brood X in this area… I don’t hear any outside yet. I’m moving back home to eastern KY this weekend. We’ll see if there’s any more over there. Haven’t heard anything from my dad about them yet. I remember Brood XIV from 1991. They were really thick then. Ty Martin, Bowling Green, KY
Here But Not Hear
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
Here in East Tennessee we seem to have a rather spotty emergence going on. Some areas, esp. in parts of Knoxville, are seeing the predicted hordes, and hearing the din. However, at my location, there is little to get excited about yet. I went out driving today, and found a somewhat sparse chorous about 2 miles to my east, at Haw Ridge. I am told that slightly further east (Powel), things are buzzing. I have my fingers crossed, but am afraid there may be no calls of “Pharrrroooo” in my neighborhood. John DeMelas, Oak Ridge, TN
Locations
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
Does anyone know whether or not the Cicadas are native to Brown County? I am looking forward to seeing them in my own home town, but I am not sure as to whether they are even in this particular area. Any help with this question would be appreciated! Darrin, Brown County, Oh
ground zero?
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
ann arbor, ground zero? wow. i’m near there. havent seen anything. maybe more south, towards the ohio border there are some? minda, detroit ‘burb, michigan
cicadas 10 miles south of here, but not here….yet
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
my mom lives 10 miles south of here and has had cicadas for about 5 days. We have some park areas nearby loaded with oaks and maples and no cicadas yet. Could that be because we’ve had more rain recenlty? Do you think our cicadas will be sounding out soon?
Joanne Joanne, Bel Air, Md
cicadas in New York
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
starting to see cicadas in Warick New York Ken, Warwick, New York
THERE COVERING MY HOME
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
ABOUT 6PM YEASTERDAY WE SWEPT THEM OFF THE WALKWAY AND PORCH , BY 11 THEY CAME BACK WITH ABOUT A MILLIONS FRIENDS. YUK! J TIPTON, BOND HILL, CINCINNATI
for Debbie in Seattle
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
Hi! There’s a TV station in Philadelphia (WPVI) that broadcast a cicada story from Princeton, NJ last night at 5 PM. The cicadas were everywhere and singing quite loudly (very cool)! I know they have a website, but don’t know if there are video archives of stories. Check it out and see what you get. Good luck! Priscilla, Smithville, NJ
Fairfax…yes….Lessburg…no
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
I have seen tons of Cicada’s where I work in Fairfax. Just this morning one was sitting next to me on the front steps of my office building. But I haven’t seen any out by my house in Leesburg. This worries me, does this mean they will come in droves?
I better be ready for them to make an appreance soon! Anne, Leesburg, VA
Any one in NYC see then yet?
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
Has anyone in New York City, especially Brooklyn, seen any Cicada’s yet?
Just wondering. I hope we’ll get them here. Allison, Brooklyn, NY
Memorial Day Weekend in Darien, CT
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
My daughter’s getting married outdoors on May 30 in Darien, CT. Are we likely to be cicadaless? Craig Miller, Milwaukee, WI
Memorial Day Weekend in Darien, CT
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
My daughter’s getting married outdoors on May 30 in Darien, CT. Are we likely to be cicadaless? Craig Miller, Milwaukee, WI
they’re coming!
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
I went and walked the dog this morning and there are hundreds of chimney holes under the trees! Haven’t seen any cicadas yet but I’m gonna go looking tonight. Should see them any day now. Kyle, North Wales, PA
THIS IS UNREAL (PLEASE READ) and comment!
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
This is great. each day my apartment has more and more. still metamorphasizing at dusk. at night the sidewalks look like its moving BECAUSEe soooo many mymphs crawling. this is unreal. i was a skeptic at first the the scientists were right cincinnati does have all 5 billion of 3 species of brood x this year. go bengals!, go REDS, Go BROOD X CICADAS!(SMILE) misscube, cincinnati ohio(pleasant ridge)
those things are everywhere
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
where do they go after the emerge? we seen 100 crawling to the trees hae not seen any flying yet tho bobbie saylor, cincinnati(landen) deerfeild township
only one lonely cicada…….
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
I saw my first cicada yesterday morning. I found the shell clinging near my back door, and then looked up to find the culprit who came out of the shell. I see reports that they are out in Howard Co, but I have not seen anything except this one. When will the madness begin? I hope not during my party Memorial Day weekend! Kim, Glenelg, MD
cicads crawling everywhere!!!!!
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
im a 31 year old mother of one..yesterday me and my son was sitting outside moms and i knew the bugs was coming and all so we had just got talking about the bugs when we looked on some flowers and saw the shells i was some exited but it gave me the chills… well later on that night my moms whole entire block was outside and we came out with flashlights and i mean everywhere they was coming out of the ground all over the pace .. me i was creeped out because its been since i was 13 or so since i remember them and i never remembered this,..,. but they was everywhere crawling to find there ways to the branches it was like ants back to back going up the tree like 20 at a time and they was everywhere………… bobbie, maineville ohio (cincinnati}
Update From North Springfield, Virginia
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
I first reported back on 9 May. My yard is now a virtual blanket of Cicadas and their shells are covering everything (walls, trees, brooms,rakes, shoes). I swept up a 2-foot wide pile the other day, only to awake the following morning to have the patio covered again. Their mating call is now at a low roar. Their novelty has worn off, and I’m OVER THEM. Angie, North Springfield, Virginia
None here
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
We were camping in Elizabethtown this past weekend and the cicadas were emerging everywhere. Me grandchildren got to see one actually emerge from the shell and ‘evolve’. But, here in Spring Grove near Hanover, PA we haven’t seen a one, and our property is completed wooded. Helen, Spring Grove, PA
People, if you don’t get them – consider yourselves lucky
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
Now – it is not a joke. We are seeing adult cicadas here in Fairfax for only about 8-9 days. And already I can’t open windows in my house. Because the whole neighborhood stinks of week-old meat leftovers thrown outside to rot in the middle of the summer. How cool is that? And what it’s going to be like in 3-4 weeks, when they start dropping dead by thousands? I read somewhere that they have “a peculiar smell” when dead – it is a humongous understatement, trust me – they STINK. You all can be very happy about watching them out of shells, and flying around and about. But I doubt it very much you’ll be enjoying this divine fragrance. Elena, Fairfax. VA
Will we be effected
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
I was wondering if anyone know how we will be effect in Florida. I have yet to see one. Becci, Port St Lucie, FL
Cicadas have hatched
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
During the morning of May 17, 2004, thousands of cicadas emerged in our yard, 17 miles northwest of Columbus, Ohio. Thousands of cicadas were hanging on hostas, trees, bushes and flowers and their shells were left behind today. My wife reported that she could not see the green on the leaves of our 15 hostas because of the number of cicadas. Mark Koogler, Dublin, Ohio
disgusting cicadas
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
They are really bad around here. You see them on all the trees and tires.At night they are coming out and you can here a crunching noise.They are sooo gross. Michelle, Camp Springs, MD
first sighting
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
First sighting of the cicadas in Fallston, in the woods behind Fallston High School. I’m so excited, I’ll probably eat some! Yummy! Brian, Fallston, Maryland
It’s raining cicads in KY
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
Cicadas are EVERYWHERE! They emerged last week and have since multipled by the hundreds. The just love my apartment, I can’t even get into teh place without getting frisked by a few of them. I have recently decided to move. If only I could get out of the house….. Lauren F, Louisville, Highlands
When Are They Coming To Long Island?
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
I haven’t seen one yet. Kathy, Long Island, New York
It’s raining cicads in KY
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
Cicadas are EVERYWHERE! They emerged last week and have since multipled by the hundreds. Strange thing is they seem to be mostly around my apartment. Lauren F, Louisville KY
No Bugs Here Yet!
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
Have not seen anything yet! Does anyone have an idea when they may emerge in North Carolina?
I lived thru them in ’79 with two screaming toddlers – now my older girls are still dreading them! Lisa Reinhardt, Charlotte, NC
Brood X Emergence Current Status
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
As reported in earlier messages, the emergence in the DC suburbs of Northern Virginia began a week ago last Monday night (May 10-11). It reached a peak at the beginning of the weekend and yesterday morning (Tuesday morning) I was still seeing a few nymphs crawling along the grass heading for the trees. This morning, for the first time, I saw none, but did not look carefully. At any rate, it appears the emergence has more or less run its course. There is now a steady “flying saucer” din throughout the area, particularly loud in them morning, less so in the evening. This morning, also, for the first time, I saw significant numbers flying about. Up until now they appear to have mainly been roosting in the trees. Now they are on the move. jmgradon, McLean, VA
WHERE ARE THE LITTLE RASCALS
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
hey all i was wondering if anyone has seen them near Corbin I have some scouts that would love to see them i sure wish they would show up in my yard . Linda , Corbin Ky
Cicadas in Indianapolis
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
Monday I found two exoskeletons. Today I found over 25 exoskeletons and a lot of wings!!! Do birds dislike cicada wings? I still haven’t seen a live cicada, though.
I was told that in 1987, Indianapolis wasn’t hit as hard as other, more southern places. Does that mean that we won’t get hit hard this year? The temperatures have been in the 80’s for weeks now, so the climate should be favorable. Lori, Fishers, IN
They have finally emerged here!
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
Last night’s rain must have done something to speed them up, because until this morning, there were very few in this area & no singing to be heard. I walked outside this morning & there were literally thousands of their shells stuck to my house & the 2 large trees in my front yard…Many still emerging. It was kind of interesting to catch one of the nymphs & watch it emerge & harden it’s shell.
My 3 year old daughter likes watching them, but is terrified of touching them!
Staci, Beltsville, MD
Still nothing here…
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
It’s been exceptionally cool and rainy, especially cool at night–probably delaying them. I hear we are supposed to be Ground Zero… Carol Shepherd, Ann Arbor, MI
WHERE ARE THEY??
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
I have only seen one, flying round. I’m on pins and needles waiting – or maybe they’re not coming to Herndon!! dede, Herndon, VA
First Sighting This Morning!
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
Today was the first day that I have seen the cicadas on our property. I have only seen about 20-50 per tree, though I think the birds are eating them. We use about 40 lbs. of bird seed every two weeks, but we have not had to fill the feeders for the past two days! Maybe there will be more tomorrow. Kristen Miles, Martinsville, IN
Cicada
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
They are here, everywhere in my wooded yard. I had seen the holes a month ago so knew they were coming as we had them 17 years ago, also at the same location. Today they are all over my peonies, azaleas, side of my house and elsewhere. Ugh! They can’t leave soon enough! I remember 17 years ago, the awful deafening noise they made. Jan, Solebury, PA
Lots Of Shells But No Cicadas?
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
In the grass around a large tree, there are hundreds of cicada shells but there is no evidence of the adults. Haven’t seen or heard one of them yet. Not really sure where they are? Hope to see them soon! KJ, Wilmington, DE
Under Siege
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
Thousands of them. Everywhere. Wonderful and amazing to watch. I highly recommend early morning forays to watch them in every state of metamorphasis to fully appreciate them. They started emerging here on Saturday (5/15), and despite their vast numbers, I’ve yet to hear their song. Anxiously awaiting… Deborah, Stewartstown, PA
found set of cicada wings
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
I found a half of a set of wings 2 days ago. I know they were cicada wings because I matched them up with a specimen from the 1991 hatch.I’ve been looking for them everywhere but none found. stimely, central pa
Double ugh
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
In response to Sally from the same area, I was glad to hear that I am not the only one creaped out by the thousands, maybe millions of cicadas in our yard. We have seveal very old trees in our yard and neighborhood, and the bugs are everywhere. We have to sweep them off with a broom several times a day from our porches and garage door opening. They also seem to like the tires on our cars as they attach themselves there too. I do appreciate nature, but this is a bit rediculous. I am definately feeling “invaded!” Heather, Louisville, KY(highlands)
Brood X
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
What’s controlling them from being hee sooner?
What’s Brood X been doing all these years?
How many Brood X’ers will be “invading” ? Kimyatha White, Eastpoint, Georgia
Spotted our first one!
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
How exciting…I found the first one in our driveway this morning! I Picked it up to look at it more closely…fascinating! Love their bulging red eyeballs!! We live in a heavily wooded lot so will check out back to see if more have arrived.
My husband saw what must have been several hundred cicadas crawling up the side of a building in downtown Madison, Indiana yesterday.
How fun!! Cheryl VanDaalen, Louisville, KY
Emergence
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
I live in southern Blair County, PA. The Cicada have begun to emerge here on the night of the 17th. John, Roaring Spring, PA
Finally!
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
We saw several cicadas emerge from the ground last night after a hard rain. There were a few empty casings attached to tree limbs in the same area. Kristen H., Dublin, OH
Milford, NJ
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
Today I took a drive to Milford, NJ after reading a post on here. Well they are definatly out there. Saw hundreds of shells and heard a few calling. Also caught 1 adult male cicada. And took lots of pictures. I just hope they emerge here in Scranton very soon. Rick, Scranton, PA
Our first sighting of the cicadas
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
My husband and I had our first sighting of the cicadas this morning(1am)it’s our first time with this type of cicada.
He’s from TX and I’m from WA state. We’ve lived in Bloomington for almost 2 yrs. now. I thought I’d be really grossed out by them(with all the internet pics I’ve seen)but I’ve found I’m more intrigued with watching them shed their shell and head for high ground to dry out. Hmmmm….wonder how I’ll feel in a couple of days when they start their singing……… Marci Smith, Bloomington, IN
Ed’s cicada pics
Date: Wednesday, May/19/2004
Edward, your pics are *fantastic*…so clear….I am still hoping to catch a news story on them or at least here them in the background of a news report from the east coast….I’m enjoying reading the mixed reactions posted here….they’re really okay…they won’t hurt you if they land on you although the first time one does it will give you a fright. I was 16 in 1970 and remember hearing this loud chirp right in my ear and having one in my shoulder…got really spooked but after that, I was fascinated with them. I keep imagining that I’m hearing them out here. Debbie, Seattle, WA
Nothing yet
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
I have yet to see anything in my area but I am hoping that with first sighting taking place in Louisville, KY and Bloomington,IN that we are still a few days away as we are a little farther north.
Anyone seen our guest yet in the Indy area? Kenny, Indianapolis
Cicada sitings
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
I live on the western side of Annapolis (away from the Bay). Last night and tonight the cicada’s have begun to emerge. I haven’t seen a lot of adults, but I think that will change soon. I work in Bowie, MD and you can hear them all day all around the City. David, Annapolis, MD
Picture of Cicada
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
5/18/04 -I just caught this one on my patio. How can I send a picture to get the brood identified. John Lottinger, Houma, Louisiana
first cicada
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
Saw my first member of brood X tonight- It came buzzing right at me….but only one. He must have been the scout. CW, Pennington, NJ
They’re here!
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
My son and his scout troop found the dried shells everywhere on our walk tonight. I grew up around brood V in sw PA, and these shells looked small to me. I’m curious to see how brood X will compare! LMB, Denver, PA
They’re Finally Here!
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
First sighting this morning, maybe a couple 100 or so in my yard, just coming out of their shells. This afternoon when I got home from work, they were all gone! I guess the birds, etc. got to them. I later went to a cemetery a half mile from my house, there were quite a few live ones there still. None of them fly or sing yet though, I guess that comes after they molt again. David Kirk, Brokkville, IN
Here they come! Watch Out!
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
Loads of them today coming out in Crofton Park. We shall see how many there are tomorrow. Kevin Stratton, Crofton, MD
None in Pasadena yet, but hoping
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
Haven’t seen any in Pasadena where I live, but they are everywhere in Howard County where I work they are wonderful and the sound is incredible Meg, Pasadena Md
First Cicadas
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
Found our first Cicada shell today in our yard along with a dozen or so holes in our mulch bed! Lisa, Deerfield Township, Ohio (Mason area)
No sighting yet
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
There is nothing here but the dogs have been going crazy digging for a couple of days. Do they hear them coming? Lyn, Tobyhanna, PA
Finally they arrive today.
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
We had our first sightings today. Because we have no direct trees in our yard, we had no nympy holes, but today there are adults flying everywhere. From next door to across the street. My baby is 18mo old, I’m taking pictures and putting in a keep sake box to see when he’s 18 years old. Its kinda neat to see him run after the little critters. He is not afrain one bit. Isaiah’s mom, Evanston, Cincinnati Ohio
Hoping this is a good sign…..
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
I am reading many messages of cicadas emerging in other states and some in NJ, but I have still not seen any – and I have been looking. I know this is all very exciting, but I am hoping that the fact that I have not seen any yet is a good sign that they won’t be coming out around here. I remember them from a few years ago when I lived in Edison and I remember how much I hated going outside. If you are from this area and have seen any, please let me know…….I’ll need to start planning indoor activities. Debbie, Middlesex, NJ
Nothing Here Yet
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
Can’t see any evidence here yet. This is a new development, but wetlands have been undisturbed. Will check my parents house in Birmingham. I remember finding empty shells there years ago…. Sue, Novi, Michigan
Ugh.
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
They are all. Over. The. Place.
I was walking the dog last night and made the mistake of looking down… only to see the sidewalk CRAWLING with them. And they are all over our back deck and yard– clinging to fence posts, hanging on to the rails on the steps, there was even one attached to out stone house by the front door this morning. And the noise? Deafening. Reading other people’s messages about having them fly into their shirts or hair has just about completely freaked me out. I may not leave the house till July. Who needs a job, anyway? Sally, Louisville, KY (Highlands)
Coastal Cicadas?
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
I live very close to the coast, and I am wondering if cicadas are indigenous to coastal areas of NJ. If not, I’d like to hear of any sightings in inland Atlantic County. Thanks. Priscilla, Smithville, NJ
Out in force in Towson, Md.
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
The li’l buggers started coming out over the weekend and are now all over the place in wooded areas. Today is the first day they’ve really been making noise. One even hitched a ride into my apt. with the plumber. He was promptly evicted, in a firm but gentle manner. The cicada, I mean. greg, Towson, Md.
My Bullfrog’s Gonna Explode!
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
The cicadas have been out for a week now. I have a fish pond in my back yard. My frog has been sitting on the edge of the pond every day and he’s been gorging himself. Ellen, Falls Church, Virginia
saw one
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
saw the first one today Trey, Chambersburg PA
ED: Please only submit cicada sightings. If you have a question — email us instead.
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
Ed, that’s why we have this note on the “Add your sighting page”: “Please only submit cicada sightings. If you have a question — email us instead.” admin, Cicada Mania Headquarters
Any Emergences in GA Yet? PLEASE NO!
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
Has anyone seen (HEARD) emergence near me? Went thru 2 years in a row in NC during late ’90s; don’t want a repeat. Thanks. CV Roberts, Martin, GA, Franklin Co., USA
Any answer
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
I think the site admin should talk to some expert to visit the message board and answer questions. I see a lot of questions but no answer. Ed, Ga
Thousands and Thousands!!!
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
It all started about 3 weeks ago with the mud chimneys, but this week they are everywhere. Probably 10 thousand or so. They seems to like lily of the valley, butterfly bushes, and tiger lillies before they climb the trees. The shells are about 3 or 4 thick on the ground!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Karen, Randallstown, MD
None Here Yet
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
We have not seen any cicadas here yet. Saw some shells a week ago, but no noise, no bugs. Maybe the storm we had in the fall (all the flooding and salt water) jolted their rebirth! One can hope! John F, Annapolis MD
They just keep coming!
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
Rates of emergence here have increased at an almost exponential rate since last Tuesday, except for Saturday (15th) when we had unusually cold weather. They are particularly heavy on dogwood, red maple and pin oak. Heavy chorusing began yesterday morning; today it woke me up. I *am not* the Bloomingtonian who ended up in the hospital … although I finally try several tempura battered tenerals Thursday night. Very tasty, but I prefer watching them and listening.
INCREDIBLE NUMBERS!!! Keith, Bloomington, IN
we’ve seen our first
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
we found our first cicada this afternoon – our chicken thought it was a yummie treat! i didn’t think they’d be emerging this far north yet. joanne, tyrone, pa
my cicada emergence picts
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
some of the night photos I think are pretty cool.
http://homepage.mac.com/akbar/magicacida2004/ Edward Delaplaine, Highland, Maryland (howard county)
Hills are Alive with the sound of CICADA’S
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
Since May 13th the cicada’s have been breaking through the ground, hustling up the trees and emerging from their shells. There are millions! Each day the mating calls get louder and louder – it is incredible! The only time they quiet down other than at night is when it rains.
We had a “cicada party” on Friday night where all the bug geeks in the neighborhood hung out and watched them climb, emerge and hang.
One question though, when will they stop coming out of the ground??? Theresa Lock, Harpers Ferry, WV, Jefferson County
Is this Normal???
Date: Tuesday, May/18/2004
Well our little friends came out in a swarm the other night and I thought it was pretty cool, but now they seem to be following me everywhere I go….oh No why are they coming at me….they are attacking!!!! Call the national guard!!! They are eating my brain and spine!!! Helllppp!!! Jim S., Woodbridge, NJ
Comments (0)
May 14, 2004
May 11th – 14th 2004 Cicada Comments
Filed under: Brood X | — Dan @ 11:22 am
Mud tubes in Hershey
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Noticed a couple of mub tubes and exit holes under our large wild cherry tree yesterday morning. Nothing outside yet. Rhett, Hershey, PA
There are here in force
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
I saw the first one 2 days ago. Came home to find 3 more yesterday afternoon. Woke up this orning to find over 200 on my front porch! I am home now and they have begin singing here in Catonsville. John, Catonsville, MD
Noise is on the way
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Well the cicadas are definitely afoot. I saw a few of the lumbering larva last night crawling up one side of my house. Tonight is a totally different story, not few but many, possibly hundreds are crawling up a nearby tree with the sole intent of exiting there collective carcasses. Interesting creatures to be sure if you find them you can actually hear them crawling on the lawn, climbing trees, trying to grasp at leaves. After viewing them in all there glory I decided to hop in the car and run to the store. As I exit the driveway I feel something crawling up my leg. Yep you guessed it, one of them 17 year critters, yuck. I suspect I’ll be having cicada nightmares soon. Brandon, Rockville, Md
The emergence has started in Cincinnati
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
The widespread Cincinnati emergence started on May 12 with 40% of our study sites showing cicada activity. We have now received reports from Northern Kentucky, central Cincinnati, and the western suburbs. Gene Kritsky, Cincinnati, OH
Sighting in Gaithersburg MD
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Saw postings of others nearby and was feeling forgotten even though our yard is full of the definitive “dime-sized” holes.
Was not disappointed this morning – saw about 50-60 skins and a couple of dozen of live cicadas. Worked from home and was able to watch the molt, the climb, the nap, and the flight to adventure. Probably would have sighted quite few more except for the birds happily enjoying cicada buffet for lunch! Pat, Gaithersburg, MD
only crawling larvae so far…
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Well, for some reason I really haven’t found any on my property, but last night I counted about fifteen larvae crawling on the sidewalk out front of my neighbors house. Tonight I counted sixteen, along with a couple of shells Gosh this is exciting. I’m only twenty five so I don’t really remember the last one. I hope they hurry along because nothing sounds more like summer than the music of cicadas! Joshua, Northeast Baltimore, Maryland
They’re here!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Saw about ten cicadas crawling around on one block in Woodley Park. Can’t wait till they start getting loud. Taylor, Washington DC
First Sighting in Chevy Chase, MD
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
I first saw them (yeah!!) yesterday morning sitting on daffodil leaves when I went out to get the paper. More this AM. Grabbed my digital camera both times and got great close-ups since the cicadas were drying their wings and couldn’t fly yet. They are a marvel!!!! Ann, Chevy Chase, Maryland
FOUND: Cicada shell…
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
My daughter brought me what she considered an interesting insect shell 2 days ago (May 11th), and I finally checked it out…Sure enough, it’s a cicada shell…I haven’t heard too much ruckus, so don’t know if it was a solitary cicada, or if there’s more and we just haven’t found more shells…I’ll be mowing the grass tomorrow, so we’ll see then…If not, at least we know that they’ve arrived in Odenton… Vivian P, Odenton, Maryland USA
There here-tough on motorcyclists
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Had my first one smash right into my face (faceshield on my helmet was raised) at about 35 mph in Owen County, Indiana. Man was it painful. It will be a tough month for motorcyclists in Indiana.
Brendan Kearns, Clay City, IN
They’re back!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Finally, after a long awaited arrival, I caught my first one this round tonight. They are cte in there own sort of bug eyed way, only saw one live one, saw many shells however. Can’t wait until they’re making my ears ring…oh, and I’ve heard some people say they are finding “albinos”. While there may be albinos out there, they all start out white, with red eyes (look like an albino, right?!), but however they are just newly emerged. Just wanted to clear up any confusion. Enjoy them while they’re here! Jeff, Parkville, MD
Just starting to see them
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Walked my dog this evening thinking maybe there just aren’t any cicadas around me, being in a newly developed neighborhood. Just then I heard something fall from a tree, walked over to it, and in the process stepped on a cicada and saw a few crawling up a tree, and saw the holes. I was only able to see about 5 of them, low in the trees and on the ground. So, they are likely the first buggers to come. gmoney, North Potomac, MD
Slowly but surely
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Saw a shell WAAAAAAAAAAY up in a tree this morning, 2 more on a signpost this afternoon…expecting to see tons tomorrow..we’ll see. Saw TONS in Silver Spring on my way to work though… WSOsGirl, Wilde Lake, Columbia, MD
O NOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo!!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! I cant believe people are actually eating these things. Is there like a shortage of spam at the local Giant or something. I havent seen a cicada yet, but I have been preparing myself for the mass hysteria they will cause. I remember when I was 8 and they first showed. It was crazy. They were everywhere. The worse was the shells they leave behind. O well they are one of god’s creatures. Sytero Illgalscus, Riverdale, MD
Cicadas are up in Bloomington, IN (but not in the countryside)
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
The Cicadas are up today, May 13, inside the town (Bloomington, Indiana), but out in the countryside away from the heat sinks of pavement and buildings, they don’t seem to be up yet.
http://www.kevinatkins.com/20040513cicadas
-Kevin
Kevin, Bloomington, Indiana
House alarm?
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
My mother, who lives in Ellijay, GA, called me today. She told me that she called the security office of the gated community where she lives to report a house alarm going off nearby. They called back a few minutes later, “I’m sorry ma’am, but the noise you are hearing is not an alarm going off, it is the cicada’s mating call.” Needless to say, my mother felt very foolish! Linda, Jonesborough, TN
They’re here!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
I hadn’t seen any until this morning but there are shells everywhere so they are here! Beth, Catonsville MD
Abnormal Mutations.
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
I have noticed that a lot of the cicadas are mutated in some way. Some have no wings, some have small shriveled wings, some have one large & one small wing, some have two curly wings, etcetera. I have also noticed that some have underdeveloped bodies. For every normal cicada I have seen in my yard I have seen two or three that are abnormal. We are still getting hundreds of them as of today, 05/13/04.
Scott, Franconia, Virginia
One shell…
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
I saw my first cicada shell today on the tire of my car this morning. I imagine that is a good indication of what is to come!!! Karla, Fairfax
Cicadas are Awesome and Here!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Cicadas are everywhere here in Timonium, every night hundreds more emerge – my cat is going crazy. I left NY and love this! Steve Saia, Timonium, Maryland
Sighting in Takoma Park
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Cicada sighting today, at my busstop, Wabash & Flower Ave. Yesterday there was nothing and this morning…there were shells galore! Ugh! yuck! There was one little cicada wabbling around in the grass as well.
Jennifer, Takoma Park, MD
Any Carroll County (MD) sightings?
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
We are still looking for them – someone told me in Carroll County, MD they really aren’t that prevalent. Has anyone seen them in Carroll County yet? I am in the southwestern corner near Frederick and Montgomery Co. Laura, Mount Airy, MD
Here They Are
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
First saw several yesterday morning on the trunk of a tree in my front yard. Saw even more this morning as well as some making their way through the grass. I live on 1/2 acre very wooded lot backing to acres of treed parkland. Tons of cicada holes all over the back yard. Should get very exciting in the next few days! Tom McCafferty, Falls Church, VA
Go to the National Cathedral, see tons of them
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Was around the neighborhood of the National Cathedral last night, and they are EVERYWHERE. The concentration of them was huge walking up the sidewalks of Wisconsin Ave, and they are in all stages of emergence. Crazy. Eric, Washington, DC
All over the place but no noise yet
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Well they’re all over the clothing left outside overnight and the benches and coming up through the gardens. No noise is coming from them yet. Jennifer, College Park, MD
First One
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
I heard one for the first time today. It actually woke me up from my nap. It ha been “singing” all day. I will be going out to look for him later. Wolfie, Olmsted Falls Ohio
Any other brides?
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
So I’m getting hitched June 5th IN THE PARK outside of Philly. I’m just worried that we won’t have enough seats for these uninvited guests. Any other brides share my concern? Rachel, Philadelphia
Just starting here
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
I *think* I saw a cicada flying past my kitchen window in the backyard within the last hour. I haven’t seen any up close yet, though a neighbor said that they did out on New Hampshire Avenue. Melissa, Cloverly,Montgomery County, MD
emergence dates
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
First observed emergence on May 5. Night of May 11 was heavy activity, but night of May 12 was even heavier! As many as 50 on one Iris plant. Daniel, Bethesda, MD
Bugged Out!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
The cicadas have emerged in the Kensington area this past Monday. I hated them in 1987 and nothing has changed since! Hopefully, I can survive this emergence without going insane! AMSL, Kensington, MD
OUR GRASS MOVES
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
They were out in full force this AM. We had seen the shells but nothing else. This morning the grass was moving as they made their way to the maple tree in our front yard. Very creepy…There were hundreds all trying to get a date. Gretchen, Fairfax, VA
Night vigil with my daughter – they’re here!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Yesterday we saw a couple casts in the yard and one half-eaten adult. So last night at 10:00 pm I took my fellow-bug-loving 3-yr-old daughter and my always-looking-for-adventure foreign exchange student out with a flashlight and the digital camera and caught hundreds of the bugs in the act of molting on a tree in the front yard. It was fascinating. They’d crawl on our feet if we stood still too long (no Flip-flops from now on!). It was like watching a birth every time a new molting ocurred. I let my 3-yr-old take a newly-molted adult with fully unfurled wings, inside in a plastic container, so she could see how he (she?) would have changed from white to black by morning. I hope she remembers this forever! Viki Johnson, Temple Hills, MD
Interesting timing noted.
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
We live in a hollow, that is slightly cooler and a bit behind on most climatological events, so the Cicadas just began in earnest last night. Interesting that they only seemed to come out of the ground for the first hour or so of darkness. I’m guessing this is another insanely instinctual part of this strange bug; that gives them the most time until daylight to climb and molt while the predators (birds and squirrels) are all asleep.
We live on five acres of old trees, so I think we’re in for quite a show! Armand Sadlier, Howard County, MD
One Cicada
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I saw one live adult this morning while walking to work in Falls Church VA. I saw a lot of remnants in the Metro parking lot. Strange–where are all the live ones? M, Falls Church
Now I’m Sure
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Previously, I may have mistaken a brown slug emerging for a Cicada. The photo gallery on this site convinces me I may have had initial confusion. However, I later did see a red-eyed Cicada on a tree in the evening, and an empty shell in the morning, so they’re here … Peter, Sterling, VA
Cicadas in the bluegrass
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Found one exoskeleton Wednesday morning on my porch, and a live one — beady red eyes and all — on a wooden gate. Also a few sitings in Southern Indiana… Alex Davis, Louisville, KY
“white” cidadas
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Thousands in very isolated pockets only, around N. Grubb Rd. in Chevy Chase.
This morning I found what I thought were albinos, then realized they were slowly drying their wings and becoming adults.
One’s in a bug cage on my desk right now-I’m watching his tiny crumpled wings unfold, and his abdomen darken. They are very sweet bugs, and crawl placidly on your arms and fingers, a delight to examine closely. Amazing, the red eyes.
This is truly a beautiful and awesome event and I’m enjoying every minute of it! Going out to look tonight and see it begin… MerryB, Chevy Chase,MD
WOW WOW WOW WOW and WOW to infinity
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Today was a HUGE day — early morning while it is still cool and dewey is definitely a great time to see them in action, molting out of their sheds. Their are THOUSANDS in our yard — some have really climbed quite a ways to get up and out on ends of branches; others were bogged down by the pachysandra and are only a few inches up. We saw many in various stages of emerging — a real treat since one was at eye level for the girls to see up close. Obviously many had emerged overnight, as there were hundreds that were already dark and sunning themselves. We rescued a few that were in the middle of the yard and placed them in areas where they wouldn’t be as exposed to feet or predators.
Truly an amazing event to witness… more to come! LST, Annandale, VA
PARANOID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Every since the first sighting a few days ago in College Park, I think that everything flying around is a cicada. I am terrified of large bugs. Really, I wish that this entire cicada thing goes away PRONTO!!!!! By the way I think I hear the ugly buggers now. Charmaine S., Riverdale, Md
None here yet!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
After reading all the messages on this board yesterday. I went out and check my yard last evening. I saw some holes in the ground, not sure if they are ant colonies, or cicadas readying to emerge. Beverly G, Springfield Towship, PA
They have emerged in West Springfield Va
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
They are coming out overklok, west springfield
Ellicott City Maryland Cicadas
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
I’ve been watching the board with great interest- but hadn’t seen any signs of cicadas in Ellicott City, Maryland. But finally this morning I saw dozens of shells in the Howard County Court House parking lot- and even one little guy who was trying to make his way to some place verticle- but having a tough time of it. Glas to see it’s not all hype. Ian , Ellicott City
Nasty Creatures!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
First started seeing them on Monday. I’ve been doing the Cicada Two Step every morning when I leave for work. Apparently, they like the front porch of my apartment building! Ugh! Nasty creatures! There were twice as many this morning as yesterday.
I have tickets for the Capital Jazz Fest [AT] Merriweather in Columbia, MD on 6/5 and 6/6. This emergence should make my concert going experience…rather interesting. MB, Arlington, VA
They’re baaaaaaaaaack!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Saw my first batch of Brood X yesterday; fascinating! I was turned off by the fact that so many were being eaten by birds; now, how fair is that? I mean, you’re underground for 17 years, and the minute you come out, you’re a snack for a bird! Boo!
Welcome back, cicadas! Sue, Riverdale, MD
Cicada Sighting
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
They are definitely in the Hamilton area. I have a tree that sits in my front yard. This morning as I was leaving for work, I saw about ten in the tree and about 20 or so in the street. They are really starting to emerge. I saw a lot of holes in the ground. The last time they were here, I was 4. I remember very vaguely, so I am very excited about them coming. Enjoy! L. Lynch, Baltimore, MD
Thery’re Mobilizing
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
The cicadas have now awakened and no longer slowly moving about. They are flying, dropping from trees. I need an umbrella to go from my walk way to the front door without getting landed on. I’m glad this is only a major event every 17 years! ED, Bethesda
Ewwwww
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
While walking to work this morning, I saw several dead (smooshed) cicadas on the sidewalk and one alive cicada walking along the sidewalk; it had to have been at least an inch and a half long. Seeing it totally wigged me out. I think that these things are going to be out and flying about real soon. I’m going to have to dig out my old baseball cap to wear so that the darn things don’t get caught in my hair. EWWWWW
Let’s just get this over with already!! Mary, Rockville, Maryland
Cicada sighting
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
My Grammy and me just saw our first cicadas on our front porch. Grammy told me all about them and said they go through many changes. We even think we could hear a little bit singing way back in the woods. It might be too early, Grammy has heard them before and said she thinks that is them. Anyway, from Clarksville, Maryland…There Here! Olivia Schwab, Clarksville, Maryland
convoy—popping sounds
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
When we returned home after dark last night my kids said ‘hey look, its a convoy’. Curious, I looked down at the sidewalk and sure enough there were at least 100 cicadas creeping alond in formation from the tree lawn to the fence. It surely is amazing to witness the inate determination of these creatures!…
Last night was warm again so we left the windows open as we slept. I was awaken early this morning when a car drove down our street. Pop, pop, pop was the sound of the poor cicadas being crushed by the moving vehicle…
ldb, McLean, VA
Ready or not…
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
I saw my first cluster of cicadas (cicadae???) & abandoned skins in front of my house this morning as I headed out to work. There were maybe 10 or 12, all still white, and a couple were still in the process of emerging from the skins. I was beginning to wonder if we were going to see any in Springfield, but I guess the time has come! My colleagues who live in Burke also began seeing the cicadas in their yards in the past couple of days. Michael, Springfield, VA
Remove Bugs – I’ll pay you
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
They are all over the place in front of my apartment complex in Bethesda (cheltenham / tilbury / chase). I’d pay someone to sweep them off my sidewalk and stoop every morning before I leave for work!
Herbert, Bethesda, MD
Amazing!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
I finally got to see a bunch last night. They are amazing- I swear I could hear them moving in the grass as well as see them emerging. I watched one “hatch” from it’s shell and watched his wings come about. VERY COOL!! Wile so many folks are disgusted by them, I am absolutely fascinated by them and can’t wait for the rest to arrive!
Does anyone know if they come out more at night? There were too many to count last night and then this morning just a handful of shells remaining. Jenn, Alexandria, VA
BAM!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
BAM! They are here! Hundreds of Brood X graduates showed up on the morning of May 12 in the back yard with dozens climbing up the back of our house. One oak tree in particular is bearing the attack of the cicadas so far. Larry, Burke, Virginia
Brood X Emergence May 13
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Last night was the third night of emergence and by far the heaviest. When I got up this morning the large trees in my front yard were covered with empty nymph shells and so was much of the ground around them. There were still large numbers of nymphs edging their way through the grass and many adults in the process of quickening or sitting on the ground waiting to get up enough gumption to fly off. I also began to see some in the air although still not many. My 9-year-old son picked up a couple of adults and let them crawl up his arms. Our six-year-old son, however, is suffering from a bout of the “yucks.” My suspicion is that tonight will be even bigger. We shall see. jmgradon, McLean, VA
CICADA MANia HERO
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Adrian Portland says: “He seen a cicada in a hole being attacked by ants” He also said ” That is common” so being the nice person he is he dug it up; got it out of the hole and made a new hole and put him in there till it was ready to leave it. Marc Yourfavoritstudent, Pottsville, Pennsylvania, USA
Cicadas are neat!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
I’ve been waiting and waiting for my first sighting this year – and was rewarded this morning. Our old elm tree was covered with numerous cicadas in various stages of emergence! Watching them develop from an embryo-like critter into a fully mature cicada in a matter of hours is truly amazing! Evidently, the birds think so too, as I was joined by a male cardinal who came within about three feet of me before he decided I might eat him before he could eat the cicadas! (LOL). Since we have lost several of our old trees in the last couple of years, and there’s been a lot of development in the area and increasing use of pesticides in no-till farming,I was concerned our cicada crop might not be as healthy as it was the last two cycles (we’ve been at the same house since 1963). This morning’s emergence is reassuring!
Frances Smith, Sparks, MD
cicada sightings
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
I have a bunch munching on my azaleas, must be more than 20. My cats have sniffed at them, but not taken a bite yet! I have spotted one that is white with black eyes, the rest are the regular red eyed type. M Merriman, Springfield Va 22153
Don’t hurt them, they won’t hurt you 🙂
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
I know many people get the jeebies about large bugs, as I am one of them, lol, but these are amazing creatures….They have lives 17 years underground waiting to emerge for a few weeks, mate & die. I bought my 3 yr old daughter one of those bug boxes with the air vents & handle on top so she can see how interesting they are. So, don’t squash them, try to deal with them, it will be 17 years before we see them again, hard to believe my daughter will be 20!! Staci, Beltsville, MD
Wow. Really Cool!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
At first I was pretty anxious about this whole thing (being from NY and all), but I finally saw a bunch last night and they’re cool! An adult popped out from behind my car tire this morning…I think he’d been hiding from the birds (lots of squished/eaten nymphs around him). Now I’m excited…they’re kinda cute in a spooky way. Sue, Arlington, VA
Cicada Sighting
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
When I went out for a smoke this morning around 1000 I saw a cicada skin on a tree by the picnic table and the cicada on the table. I moved it off of the table at which time it left. Fred Oelrich, Andrews AFB, Clinton, MD
Does anyone know where the largest concentration in this area is???
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
I was just wondering, where in the MD/DC/VA area where the largest concentrations of the cicadas will be?
I have seen about 12 shells & 2 cicadas, one which I caught for my daughter, the other became an ant victim, he landed on the concrete & the ants ate his legs off!! I guess ants enjoy them, too!! Staci, Beltsville, MD
Bonjour, cigales!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Eerie sounds from the trees, and piles of shells on the road, a few blocks east of downtown Silver Spring. Wow! Gaston, Silver Spring, MD
The Great Gathering Tree
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
This tree is located on a warm streetcorner in my Rockville neighborhood. Last night as I was walking by I heard an unearthly squirming, crawling, scrabbling sound. I came back with the flashlight to see what must have been at least a thousand cicadas on the base, trunk and branches of the tree. Interestingly, there were many trees nearby with few or none. The warmth of this spot seems to have attracted them.
When I returned this morning, there was a large pile of husks and a few bugs still struggling to emerge. There are also lots squished on the roads–again, I’m guessing because the warm surface is attractive to them. Julia, Rockville, MD
early risers – not the brightest creatures
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Last night I stepped outside around 11pm and witnessed the first few arrivals in the mulch beds in front of my house. We have a concrete porch with steps at the entrance, and for some reason this was their sought after destination. It was only three or four of them but I watched intently for about an hour to see what they would do. And what they did was proceed to make the arduous journey up the side of the porch, only to want to climb higher once they reached the foot of the door. So they walked along the edge of the porch (fairly swiftly) around and around trying to climb the various surfaces, all of which were too steep. Some would fall back off the porch and then try and climb it again. Now there is a nice tree in our front yard so I moved one over to it and he seemed content with the fact that he could get a foothold and started climbing up. I thought great, Ill get to see one molt! But he didnt stop climbing, and after about ten minutes he was 7 feet up on the tree. He promptly lost his footing and fell 7 feet into the grass below. Unharmed and frustrated with the tree he proceeded to start back for the porch! (Cicada skating rink). So I gave up and went to bed. Im sure Ill be sick of them soon enough Brian, North Potomac, Md
Die Cicadas Die
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
On my way to the garbage can I saw one dead on the sidewalk. One fell from a tree branch and down my neck into my shirt. I threw it to the ground and poured the rest of my Pepsi soda on it. Donald Pilner, Washington, DC
They are out!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Went for a walk this morning 5am, couldn’t help but crunch a few under my feet. Saw what looked to be hundreds on the street under a light. Looks like many will be squashed under the tires. I hope my dog doesn’t eat too many! Who knows maybe they will make her breath smell better! Curt, Aspen Hill, Rockville MD
Saw some today hanging
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
I saw a bunch of cicadas (perhaps 10) hanging on a tree. I found a molted shell on the ground, and noted many emergence holes near the base. Probably many cicadas here. Ben, UMBC Campus, Catonsville, MD
Bunches in Bloomington
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
I found a moderately sized emergence Wednesday night around 11:30 on the north side of the Indiana University campus (across the street from the parking lot “up-the-hill” from the Psych building). Several hundred in various stages of development. Fascinating, but seriously creepy, too. I for one am looking forward to the noise. Keith2, Bloomington, IN
Nothing so far 13MAY2004 [AT] 0230
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
I just got through looking around some of the trees here around the barracks and no sign of the Brood X Cicada yet. I’ll give it a couple of days, since we have had a very cold winter this past year, they might be running a little behind schedule from the surrounding areas like Springfield, Alexandria and DC, which already have lots of ’em! I’ve been looking forward to seeing these little critters for the past couple of weeks. Back in Texas where I am originally from, we get the annual “Dog-Day Cicadas” in late Summer that have and Orange shell, black spots, and hazel eyes. Private First-Class, Fort Belvoir, VA
Theyre heeerrrrreeeeee
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
A cicada flew in the window in nymph stage ot looks to me and I have saved him here sure is ugly and kinda small, maybe not a cicada I dont know…LOL Nicole, Stanley Virginia
THEY ARE HERE
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
WHAT I ORIGANALLY THOUGHT WAS MUD WASPS IN MY FRONT YARD, I FIND OUT FROM OUR EXTERMINATOR THAY ARE THESE CICADAS. AND THEY WILL ONLY LAST A COUPLE OF WEEKS. HE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO ABOUT THEM. ANY ADVISE ON KEEPING THEM OUT OF THE HOUSE? mark, browns mills, nj
Yuck
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
No need to witness my first confontation- these things will make a man squeel like a girl. Do I dynomite the family’s prized oak tree or move out of civilization for 5 weeks- life dependent decisions are always hard to choose! Azza, Woodbridge, VA
Emergence
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
We were excited to see one molt on the old oak tree – it took about 20 minutes. But then alarmed to see 50 in the street. Laurie Jo, Bowie, Maryland
Sighted!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Tonight I was preparing to go on a nighthike with my boyfriend when we happened upon a thriving mass of ten to twenty cicada nymphs pumping themselves up through the loose soil in a planting island at a gas station.
There were trees nearby and the nymphs are protected from being run over by cars as long as they head toward the nearest trees.
We saw more on the sidewalk and soon we decided to give up on the walk because the pavement was poorly lit and we didn’t want to risk stepping on any of them.
I can’t wait. This is my first experience with a full brood! Carmen, Columbia, MD
Cicadas are right outside my door!
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
There must be several hundred cicadas within 50 feet of my condo. I’ve been seeing lots of holes around here for the past few days, and I finally spotted about 5 of them in the bushes and trees this morning. I knew more would be on the way tonight, but WOW! There’s a LOT. Saw them in all stages: Just coming up and crawling along the ground – climbing up bushes and trees – just breaking out of their shells – wings just unfolding – wings fully extended, etc.. It’s amazing to watch them pump blood into their wings. This is just plain cool! Dan, Reston, Virginia
Tonite is the night
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Just opening the front door, I can hear them coming out. The end of the driveway has at least 50 of them crawling around. alan, fairfax va
Saw them emerging
Date: Thursday, May/13/2004
Thanks to this great web site, I knew the nymphs crawl out at 1030 pm or so. I also knew they were coming based on the many detailed reports here. Sure enough, I went out a few minutes after that, and saw my first one crawling out of the dirt just under a slightly raised shed.
After looking the first one over, I was able to see two more, one on a concrete slab for the hot tub, another on dirt near the base of a tree in a flower bedding area just off the lawn. They look a lot like slugs, and are a very dark choclate brown with medium brown spots and two distinct antennae.
I realize there are folks out there who are concerned about being touched by the cicadas. About the best advice I can give these folks is to consider long-sleeved shirts, long pants, wide brimmed hats and keeping some spares available, as well as some towels or moist towelettes. These preparations may not be needed, but will help assure confidence.
Best. Peter, VA – Loudoun – Sterling – near Church Rd. & Lincoln Rd.
UGGGGGGGGGGGG
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Late wednesday nite the cicadas arrived in my apartment complex much to my dismay. These things are disgusting. I feel like we are being invaded by bugs. Heather, Rockville MD (Courthouse Area)
Large emergence on my street
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I came home tonight at 9:00 and thought I saw a cicada on a tree. Grabbed my flashlight and went out to look closer, I’m glad I did because in a 60 minute period I counted no less than 20 in various stages of molting. Lots of exit holes in the ground so there will probably be many more I didn’t find. COOL stuff!! you only get to see this once in a great while. It takes about 20-30 minutes for them to complete the molting process from cracking their shell to sitting on a branch with wings unfurled. John Schmidt, Springfield, VA, USA
One Cicada on a Mailbox Pole!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I grew up in Annandale and am very familiar with the Cicadas. Last large emergence which I witnessed had the cicadas with flourescent orange outlines on their wings. Three weeks ago I noticed something that really shocked me, while I was getting my mail at the community PO, I noticed a hole in the ground, moderate sized and I told my wife how Cicadas sow the soil like you wouldn’t believe. About 9 Days Later I went to get the mail and I saw a shell on the post which supports the canopy to the mailbox, lowenbehold there was a cicada on the post all by its lonesome self. At first I didn’t think it was real, I tried to pick it up and it sure was, it was definitely a cicada. This poor guy kept returning to its “post” for a few days, now hes gone. My theory on this is that 20 years ago, when our neighborhood was a pig farm, someone brought some cicadae with them from back East (in a suitcase, truck etc). They must have survived long enough to mate and drop their eggs into a tree. Now the only one left came out! His friends are all victims of the bulldozer, he will die alone, but I can say that he lived in California for a few weeks. I have never heard or seen cicadas out here, so I think this guy got lost (or punished). I know about lookalike insects, my neighbors are from back East and we all were in agreement as to what he was, hopefully another one came out maybe a female (or vice versa, not sure what this was but it had the needle on the abdomen). Amazing but true, I shoulda taken his picture. Wish I was there for this brood. At least the pictures are up! Bringing back memories, while I’m at it, I lived in Annandale for 18 years, we recently had a Thunderstorm which was more intense than Annandale ever had in 18 years, goes to show you that the climate is changing. I hope we get more, it was wonderful to see some lightning!
Daniel Gidez, Sylmar California (No Joke)
Chow Time
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Im a highschool student in baltimore, and one of our biology teachers gave an assembly today on the cicadas. he also publically announced to the entire school that i am the one member of the school community who will eat a cicada in any stage of its life cycle. what can i say? they are yummy! well, i just wanted to give everybody and update on my cicada eatinf prowess and encourage those who have not eaten any to do so. *they emerged in roland park/ ruxton today*
~chris~ chris schmidt, baltimore
A bunch here
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
The birds were going absolutely nuts today outside my house, so I looked out and saw a bird fly to the trunk of a tree, then onto the ground, eating a cicada. My daughters and I went out tonight to collect them to maybe cook and eat. You have to look for the grass moving. But the first bag we collected had a bunch of mites in it. We must have grabbed one bad cicada. Got about 60 totally, but we’ll toss the half with the mites. James, Potomac, MD
Cicadas With Hangovers in Wheaton
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Gizmo (our old tabby cat) just deposited a lone cicada on the front step. (It’s his concept of rent.) Hundreds of chimneys under trees here, but the red-eyed guys are “sleepin’ in” here in Wheaton. Jack, Silver Spring, MD
Heebie Jeebies
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I have been seeing several of them on my walk way in front of my house. This is giving me the heebies. If I had known about these things a year ago… I would have paved my whole yard! Going to go stay with some relatives for three weeks. Can’t take it alone. Yuk. I know it’s an amazing thing but I just can’t stand to see so many at once. Yuk.
Lisa, Riverdale
Kids going bug crazy!!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
The neighbourhood kids are getting into the Cicadas here…popping up ALL OVER THE PLACE (the bugs, not the kids…lol)on our morning walks to school.
There were at least 20 of them on my front stoop, & the large tree in out front yard must be the happin place “hang out” at! Paisley, Fairfax, Virginia
So what’s the bracha (blessing) for sighting a Cicada?
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I was with a friend when we went walking. I saw them in the upper park heights/pikesville area climbing on a few trees. Not many yet, but enough to freak me out. Naomi, Pikesville, MD
Lone Tree Cicadas
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Last night we saw a few holes around a tree, and one cicada on a blade of grass. Tonight, after dark, we saw at least 12 crawling up one tree, but not a single cicada on the other trees! They are so neat! My brother wants to try eating some cicadas, and we put one in a box to see it change. Sarah, Eldersburg, MD
PA – found one! (lots more to come)
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Tonight 8:00PM, Route 322 near Lancaster / Lebanon County line. I’ve been watching for the past week. Finally found a nymph coming out of the ground. It’s now in a small cage next to my computer. I’ll be watching daily, more news to come. Film at 11. Mike Frey, Lancaster PA
Cicada in Ashburn, VA
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I teach Pre-K in Sterling, VA. One of my students brought in a Ciciada still in its shell, she lives in Ashburn, VA. That is the only one I have seen so far, nobody I work with has seen them yet. Maybe they will be here soon. Kimberly, Leesburg, VA
Waiting Patiently
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Well, so far I have seen three empty shells, all on the garage doors. I am waiting patiently for the hammer to fall. Aaron, Silver Spring
invasion!!!!!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I just let my dog out to find a cicad invasion in my back yard!!!!I emptied my son’s baby pool earlier today to find that I must have really loosened the soil and set them free. I have to admit it makes me a little queasy to see so many. Im talking dozens!!!! kara, severna park, md
Out and about.
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
We have not seen any spread their wings yet, but this evening a nymph was out of his hole to take a look around. Hoping that tomorrow brings us a lot of little red eyed friends warming up to a 17 year symphony! Rich G, Gambrills, MD
Saw some in Crofton
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I saw about 1/2 a dozen in the backyard where I work today in Crofton. Pam, Severn
Zilch, Nada, Nichevo, Rien, Zip, Zero
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Maybe this area’s seen too much development over the last decade – I have yet to see a nymph casing, let alone an actual red-eyed beastie. And to think that I was kind of looking forward to this – I’m originally from central North Carolina and as far as I can remember from my childhood, all we ever got there were the pedestrian annual Dog-Day Cicadas. Dan, Pentagon City, Arlington, VA
cicada sightings!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Tongiht as I tuned in to watch the Bachelor on TV I had a cicada fly INTO my house through my window! I’ve seen a lot out in my front yard, its fun to see them leak some shells! Mandy, Oakton
Where are they??
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Have only seen a few husks around the trees and fence. I found a few wings laying around the fence. I guess the first few are the unlucky ones that get eaten by birds.
I suppose there will be plenty of them around soon enough. John, Vienna, VA
Cicada Chimneys
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Found lots of cicada chimneys and holes in the backyard. As many as 10 per square foot. No bugs though.
Steve, Miamisburg, OH
There here!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I saw my first one this morning after it had just shed it’s shell….So add Beltsville, MD to the list!!!! Stacy, Beltsville, MD
Thereeee hereeeee
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
In 2 days we collected a full gallon size ziploc bag of the shells. We took them to my son’s pre-K class for show and tell. They loved it! Teacher said was the best show and tell ever. I am
amazed by these mysterious creatures. I’m watching them come out of shells (white) and within 30 minutes they turn brown and their wings develope. So cool!
Can we sell these anywhere??? Misti Stevens, Johnson City, TN
Where are they?
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I’m disappointed. I thought that since our development was built around 20 years ago we would have a good number about. Saw one nymph two nights ago crossing our front step. One on a screen this afternoon and that’s it. Some signs of holes around a couple of trees where the developers left them, but not many (maybe a dozen). Alastair Thomson, Centreville VA
Finally here!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I was so excited to see the cicadas arrive in Fairfax! I had only seen a couple in the past few days but today they have literally taken over my entire yard! I think there have to be at least 10 per square foot!! I have an old lot with lots of deciduous trees so I wasn’t surprised. My son and I are going to break out the digital camera later today and take pictures. I’ll have to be careful though – the last time we did that he took 302 pictures! Happy cicada hunting! 🙂 Charles, Fairfax, VA
Cicidas Have Arrived
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Cicidas have arrived in Jefferson City. Cassandra, Jefferson County Tennessee
They’re Here
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
They started ewmerging here about 1 1/2 weeks ago. Now at night they seem to be making a b-line for my sun room. Had to seal the space in the door before they invaded. Jay, Kensington, MD
So far only saw a few
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
On my walk to the Metro (Forest Glen), I saw 3 shells and 2 basking cicadas. Later, walking to my office, I saw lots of *pieces* of cicadas but nothing much else.
I remember back in 1987 (I was 12)I used to catch them in flight and stick them to my gym teacher’s shirt. He’d scream like a little girl. That memory still makes me laugh! JR, Silver Spring, MD
Sighted one in NC!!!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I have my first cicada!!!! After dealing with these guys last year with Brood IX, I know better of what to expect this year. All of my trees were ‘pruned’ last year by the cicadas and really looked better by summer’s end than they did before. If you have grapes, GET SOME NETTING!! Please do not spray these guys, or anything else in your yard. The only thing that irritates me about these is the fact that my 5 year old daughter sneaks them in the house!! Happy watching. Jennifer, Westfield, Stokes Co, North Carolina
Thousands Hatched May 8-9th,2004
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Ranger, 6 miles west of Murphy NC the trees are alive with cicada’s .. dean, Ranger, NC
Cicada Attack
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I walked out of my house this morning to find a single cicada sitting on my back wall, staring at me. I knew I had to act quickly, so I jetted for my car. I jumped in and slammed the door just in time to look back and see… that he was still sitting there staring at me. Maybe he is harmless. But I think he is waiting for his friends before he strikes. Matt, Arlington, VA
Seen some here
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Actually got to see some emerge lastnight. Picked up one to check out texture. Felt kinda rubbery. Placed him back on the tree and left him to dry. Watching him dry out was quite amazing. I could actually see the little moisture drops on his wings. I felt like I was watching the discovery channel, only live 🙂 I’m very excited. The last time I seen these guys I was 9 and had just moved to the area also very freaked out by bugs. Heather , Laurel, MD
The cidadas won’t hurt you!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I was 13 when Brood X emerged in 1970 and that seemed like a big emergence to me. On my walk to school I’d see the cidada body shells all over trees and fence posts and I’d see the just emerged cidadas (we actually called them locusts back then)trying to dry and harden up. The 1987 emergence didn’t seem as dramatic to me and it’s probably because I wasn’t walking in a wooded area as much as I did at age 13.
A lot of people are trying to tease those who have never experienced the cidadas that these insects are going to attack them. This is NOT TRUE! These are very gentle creatures and the only thing that I thought was kind of gross was all the cidada body shells everywhere and the wet, shiny, just emerged insects. The “singing” does get a bit loud, but most people have air conditioning this time of year and keep the windows closed. It’s such a cool phenomenon so just enjoy it. This time I’m taking lots of pictures.
The cidadas will not fly at you or bother you or bite or sting you. I remember that in 1970 and 1987 when I had cats that they loved to eat the cicadas. They just dive bomb for them and the poor cicadas didn’t stand a chance. If you are really afraid of them, stay away from wooded areas and trees. If you go to the swimming pool you may see a stray cidada or two floating on top of the water. That’s a minor downside.
I walked to the Metro stop at East Falls Church today- which is actually in Arlington, VA- and I didn’t see one cidada. I have not seen any yet but I know they will be here! Enjoy them while they last. Lisa Jane, Falls Church, VA
None here yet either
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
We are just north of Kensington, MD(technically in Wheaton) and we haven’t seen any yet either. We have tons in the ground but none have emerged yet.
I’m waiting. Dalit, Silver Spring, MD
An interesting buzz on the Hill
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I saw my first cicada cut in front of me in traffic this morning as I was approaching Pennsylvania Avenue on 4th Street SE. Luckily it was faster than my windshield and continued on its merry way! Johanna, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
They have arrived….
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
A note from Columbia, Maryland: they are now here! Saw a few on a tree last night! Heather, Columbia, MD
They’re here!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
We went to the local rec center today — a lovely wooded area — and they are HERE! Tons of sheds all over trees and the side of the building. We saw several “groggy” ones basking in the sun, waiting for their wings and bodies to dry. We also saw quite a few carcasses strewn about, not sure of the cause.
Now we await the chorus!
L S T, Annandale, VA
AT LAST!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Emergence really got started last night– saw hundreds and only one with any sign of massospora. They seemed to be molting much more quickly than in 1987. Also noticed that male nymphs headed way up into trees to molt. I only found a few adults from last night when I checked this morning– this first group didn’t come out in sufficient numbers to escape predation. The next three or four nights will be incredible, as we’re in the 1 million plus epicentre of the brood. I LOVE THESE GUYS! This is the most fantastic display of nature you are going to see in North America! Keith, Bloomington, IN
big emergence
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
over 70 nymphs were emerging last night in the pikesville Chruch lane area. lots were just splitting in the street, and soon swarmed by ants. so i picked up the cicadas and stepped on the ants… (that will teach em to plague my kitchen). James, Pikesville
Cicada races
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Today, my students found several adults cicadas in the grass. So we put them on the trees and watched them race to the top. Shirley Jeffords, Silver Spring, MD
They’re in Virginia
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Like everyone else on the thread, I noticed several last night on the underside of plants. This morning, there were about 100 on and around a telephone pole. I’m corrected as I thought this was mostly hype. Rahul, Falls Church, VA
The Cicadas
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Hey Guys! I’m so excited about the Cicadas. In fact, I just saw one this morning! It was so cool. I’m a little nervous about one flying into me though. That would be so gross! I can’t wait! I’m going to put one as my Windows XP backdrop now! Anne R., Oakton
Dale Hollow Lake KY/TN
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Our family will be on our annual houseboat trip to Dale Hollow all of next week, May 15-23. Any ideas on what we can expect by way of the cicada hatch? Have a couple of terrified kids so need to know. Still will go, but have to plan alternative things for them to do if they won’t go catch them! Thanks! KP Kristie, Illinois
Hundreds in my yard
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
As of 05/12/04 there are hundreds of cicadas in my yard most of them are sitting at ground level or on the side of my house. One plant in my front yard had easily several hundred clinging to it. There were a few emerging yesterday, but the bulk seem to be today. Scott, Franconia, Virgnina
Release the Hounds
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Saw a couple of them flying around Braddock Park in Centreville on Tuesday night…a lot of evergreen trees out that way, so we’ll see if the park becomes a “million per acre” site or not. Jason, Centreville, VA
They’re Here in Columbia
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
May 12 lots of them are coming out of the ground. Watched dozens climb out of the ground and climb the tree. Several emerging. Matt, Columbia, MD
Sat 5-8-04
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
We got a few hundred this past Saturday in Anneslie South of Towson.
Very friendly bugs. Lots of smiles for the kids.
Mike MIKE [AT] WJZ-TV, TOWSON
They’re definitely here
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
We first discovered fifty to one hundred cicadas in our front yard on Sunday night, when I went to take out the garbage and heard something crunch underfoot. They were swarming my front porch. My teenage son and I watched for an hour as they skittered across the pavement and wriggled out of their skins. We posted a warning sign, “Watch your step–cicadas!” There were not so many on Monday or Tuesday night, but this morning the back yard was full of cicadas festooned on the azalea bushes, resting on the swingset, buzzing through the sunlight. One enormous, enterprising black squirrel was harvesting cicadas from the bushes and consuming them as fast as he could. They have definitely arrived. Laura, Wheaton, MD
Where do I get protective clothing?!?!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I am very anxious about these cicadas flying into me, landing on me, swarming around me, seeing them, etc…. Is there some sort of “beekeeper-ish” suit that I could purchase in the DC area to avoid “feeling” them on me? I am already getting panic attacks and some anxiety about them!! PLEASE HELP!! Scared!, Washington DC
Cicadas at Goucher College!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I went to check out some of the emerging cicadas this morning with three of my co-workers. There were shells every where, and we watched some very groggy guys climbing up trees and drying out. There were some dead ones on the sidewalk who didn’t seem to have the strength to continue their journey.
Audrey, Towson, Maryland
pretty neat!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I have seen one this morning [AT] 7am.
It’s 11:30 and i have approx 100 popping out. It’s really cool to
them go from the larva stage to the flight stage. Watch one, it will
be worth it!! Thomas S., Fallston- Maryland
1 Shell Found
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I found 1 shell this morning on the base of a White Birch tree in my yard. Rick, Archbald, PA
Saw one… but only one so far
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I saw one yesterday (May 11) on my mailbox, but thus far this is the only one I have seen. My boyfriend, in Silver Spring, MD has seen many. Jennifer, Hyattsville, MD
Invasion
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I have hundreds of cicadas on my front lawn, front elm tree and on our walkway. The squirrels and birds have been feasting the past 2 days. The squirrels like to eat the abdomen and leave the legs wriggling. Leaving the front light on seems to make a difference. I had a few less around the front door last night as I left the front light off. Not doing this the night before resulted in many hanging on the front screen. ED, Bethesda
Hundreds
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Our backyard is covered with shells and adults. We had our first couple on May 5, then a few more on the 6th. I left town for the weekend and when I returned on the 9th, our house exterior and back yard were covered. They seem particularly fond of the south point of our yard where I found hundreds this morning. Ashley, Baltimore, Maryland
Windshield sitting!!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
On my drive along the GSP to pick up my daughter from college I saw this thing coming from a fair distance away. It left a big smudge on my windshield. Can’t wait to see the full emergence. Ed Hawley, Keyport,NJ
None yesterday – hundreds today
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Couldn’t find a single one yesterday. This morning, there were hundreds in my front yard alone. Most were on the shrubs and hostas underneath my oak tree. The squirrels were going nuts! Vic, McLean, VA
saw 2!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I saw two this morning. One had just shed his nymph-skin and was drying his wings. Very beautiful. The red eyes are stunning.
Looking forward to more! kristenfw, lower Brookland, DC
Cicada arrival
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Cicadas are here in the Middleridge section of Fairfax. A dozen moltings around my front door this morning and a few cicadas hanging out on the front steps, not quite ready to fly. Dave, Fairfax, VA
First One!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I saw my first empty shell (alright, 1/2 a shell) this morning! Susan, Columbia, MD
Finally saw them!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Last night I took a walk around the block and saw about two dozen shells on utility poles — no cicadas. This morning, when I went outside to bring in the newspapers — no cicadas. However, when my ten year old and I went to get in the car at 8AM, she spotted one perched on a rear tire! Then I saw one on the other rear tire.
I remember them from when I was ten back in 1970 and then again 17 years ago. My question is: when will I say I’ve seen too many? Dennis, Silver Spring, Maryland
Driveway Melting Pot
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
This past Monday, May 10th they were covering my entire driveway. All dead due to the heat of the blacktop. Judy, Rockville, MD
The Mulch Will Not Harm Them
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
No worries on the mulch. Even if you kill 1000 of them, there’s 10,000’s more right behind ’em…..
I live in Northwest DC — Friendship Heights area. They’re here! Witness to about 300 cicadas this morning on my walk around the block Cicada BBQ-Man, Washington, DC
First Sightings
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Yesterday (5/11/2004), I saw 4 shells on a short walk in the evening outside my home about a mile west of the Pentagon. This morning, I saw between 6 and 12 more shells and 2 cicadas while walking to the car. David Gray, Arlington, VA
Brood X Emergence Update May 12
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Here in McLean in suburban DC we had even more cicads emerging last night than the night before. My 9-year-old son amused himself by picking up nymphs crawling through the grass and helping them out by putting them onto the tree trunks. Although there appear to be dozens and perhaps hundreds of empty nymph casings on the trunks of our older trees or in the grass at their base we have yet to see cicadas flying around much less in large numbers. Nor have we heard any noises we could identify as cicada buzzing. jmgradon, McLean, VA
No signs yet – Preakness?
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Only about an hour south of DC and I’ve had no sightings and I haven’t heard them yet either. I’m excited to see them, but don’t want them to ruin the Preakness up in Baltimore this weekend. Has anyone in the Baltimore area seen them? Wendel, Southern Maryland
Got ’em
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
We’ve had them for over a week. Just a handful right now, but the dog’s loving it. Bart, Woodbridge, VA
The cicadas have arrived in my neighborhood!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
On my morning walk yesterday, 5/11/04, I first saw holes in the ground, then empty skins, then some dead cicadas and finally a live one, drying in the sun.
But this morning, 5/12/04…it was a bug of a different color! They seemed to be everywhere! Hundreds of skins, lots of live and dead cicadas on the sidewalks (including some 1/2 eaten and lots of random wings! Yuk!) As well as some still emerging, many buzzing about on shrubs and some in the beaks of passing sparrows. The invasion is upon us! J. Lowe, Woodley Park, Washington, DC
Recipes!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I haven’t seen any yet, but I’ve been doing research. There is a cookbook online at the University of Maryland entomology department!
There are soft-shelled cicadas, shanghai cicadas, cicada dumplings, cicada stir-fry, chirper tacos, chocolate covered circadas, circada pie, and others!!!http://www.urhome.umd.edu/newsdesk/pdf/cicada%20recipes.PDF Bonnie, Elkridge, Maryland
I don’t like these Cicadas
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
My children and I saw a few cicadas on our building as you walk out. We even saw them stuck together. I think they are so nasty looking. I’m getting married in June, what I’m I going to do.
Jeanine, New Carrollton, MD
Saw them in the yard!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Saw a few shells on my tree this morning – saw a shell on a leaf in the tree last night, saw two birds fighting over a cicada in front of the door, and then saw another shell on the ground under the same tree! Telephone poles on Ravensworth Rd. in Annandale are covered with shells. Lisa, Springfield, VA
what a pleasant surprise
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
This morning, there were shells all over the ground, and lots of critters all over the trees – hugging the bark, the leaves. Everywhere. For a number, let’s go with dozens. No noise noted.
Joe, mount washinton, MD
The Cicada Invasion Has Begun!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Arlington Village – Arlington, VA
Cicada’s, cicada’s everywhere!
The birds seemed especially loud this morning…. Cicada Steve, Arlington, VA
Cicadas are plentiful in Pickens County
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Our State entymologist did not expect Cicadas South of Lumpkin County, GA. Well I can tell you for sure they are here! (5/12/04) Dave Blake, Jasper, Georgia
emergence
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
The emergence began last night here in Potomac Farms. I watched several cicadas emerge and begin to shed thier shells at about 10:30 pm. By this morning there were several dozen empty shells at the base of an old maple tree in my front yard and adult cicadas hanging out in the branches. We are expecting more to emerge in the coming days! James, Ashburn, Virginia
There Here
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Found one in the pool this morning! I’m sure there are many more to come. Tami, North Potomac, MD
on car Tires!!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Woke up this morning and found dozens of cicadas attached to the black tires on our car!! Also on a little tree and our wooden fence! Wow!!! Jeff G, Silver Spring, MD
EEWW
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
There must have been almost two dozen of the nasty critters clinging to my garage door this morning. I can only guess that the birds will soon be showing up and it will look like something out of a Hitchco*ck film! Funny thing, though, that’s the only place I saw them. Were they there because of the morning sun? Lynne, Oak HIll, VA
Any Cicadas near Pennsville, NJ ??
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I’ll be in the Pennsville, NJ area this weekend. Does anyone know of a place nearby to see the Cicadas ? Karen, Rochester, NY
They’re all over the parking lot
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I just spent some time picking up 20 or so off the parking lot and tires of trucks parked overnight here at work. Yesterday we saw 2 or 3, today there are tons. Kathy, Camp Springs, MD
Front porch sitings
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Found 5 on the front porch and a shell hanging on the brick. My son freaked out when he poked the shell and realized that there was still a bug in it that had not emerged yet. The fun has begun. Cam, Severna Park, Maryland
No cicadas yet
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I live near Georgia Avenue and the beltway. Yesterday there were reportedly lots of cicadas near my church (east side of Ga. ave) but I haven’t even seen a shell on the west side. Tammy, Silver Spring
Thousands in my backyard
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I’ve got thousands of cicadas in my backyard. Last night the ground seemed alive with them. There were hundreds climbing up one tree. It was bizarre. Now I know why there are big piles of the skeletons at the base of the tree. A lot climb up and then fall down. Go out at night to see them come out. Bob, Bethesda, Maryland
They’re here
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Empty shells on the trees Monday; saw MANY emerging Tuesday evening. They are definitely here. John, Bowie, MD
Fascinating!
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
We don’t have large cicadas in the Netherlands, but I have encountered them on my trips to southern Spain and the Sonoran desert in Arizona. How an insect like this can make such a lot of noise is a mystery to me! I would love to see this 2004 Brood X phenomenon take place. Edith Nies, The Netherlands
Exiting the soil
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I’ve seen nymphs for about a week when digging the soil and turning over rocks. Inspired by todays May 11 Post article, I went out tonight and saw a nymph crawling up the tree. Quite a few holes in the ground, and saw one cicada butt sticking out of one. Quite a kick to see them making their way out of the soil.
I’d been feeding nymphs to my daughter’s White’s Tree Frog over the last week, but he’s been looking fat and constipated, so I stopped that practice . . . Scott McAfee, Springfield, VA
Cicadas hit Jessup
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
My son found 2 cicadas on the front porch at 10:30pm Tuesday. Terri, Jessup,Maryland
First look
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
Saw one (and only one) at around midnight. The rest should be out by tomorrow. John, Severna Park, MD
Photographing an Emerging Cicada From The Shell
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I’ve been sitting outside watching a Cicada come out of it’s shell…it is so amazing!
Lisa S, Rockville Maryland, USA
They’re Back
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
We’ve seen a few over the past couple of days, but tonight they are EVERYWHERE! Jean, Annandale, VA
sighting
Date: Wednesday, May/12/2004
I finally saw some of the little critters as I was on the way to our laundry room. I’m in the Courthouse metro area, in Colinial Village. As I watched the one slowly make its way along the sidealk, another one came out. I think this is pretty exciting. But, maybe in a few days when they are every where….. Barb, Arlington, Va.
They’re here!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Came face to face with my first cicada in my back yard yesterday morning. Saw more later last night after sundown. Today, those were all dead or torn apart. Tonight, 3 times as many on my back and front patios. I am morbidly engrossed and grossed out. I am not happy about this. I’ve got a huge yard with many old, old trees. I resent that I won’t be able to enjoy it for the next few weeks. Shawn, Garrett Park, Maryland
Re: was planning to mulch
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Don’t worry about it —- my mom described to me once how they were coming up through sun-warmed asphalt during an emergence in her youth!!!! Sarah Dalton, Columbus, OH
cicadas
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Yeah my aunts dog came in with a cicada wing hanging out of it’s mouth. So they have arrived in Morristown. Mark , Morristown, New Jersey
They are here!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Went outside to retrieve a something from the car, and there they were on the pavement, just roaming very slowly… they are not afraid like most insects… Can’t wait to hear them “SING”
Good-Luck James, Montgomery Village, MD USA
they are out
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
10pm tues. i found 8-10 crawling on my front walk and house. They are here!!!! K Hicks, oxon hill, md
What’s taking them so long?
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I’m seeing more and more holes every day, can even look into some of the holes and see those red eyes peering back at me. Have not seen a single shell from one that has emerged. I was in Vienna
Virginia in 1987, they were everywhere. Rich G, Gambrills, MD
Cicadas seen here!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
On my morning walk of, I saw 1 1/2 mile in western Annandale on Monday 5/10, I saw 2 cicadas. Today I saw about 250!! Claire, Annandale, VA
one big molt-a-rama
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
it’s 9:30pm and there is a molt-fest going on in my backyard. fascinating! i highly recommend looking for cicadas soon after nightfall. Pam, Kensington, MD
crunch crunch crunch
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
my kids collected 28 exoskeletons this afternoon and placed them in baggies to bring to school tomorrow. They were playfully arguing over their new posessions. We also found 2 live ones in the grass that did not make it up into the trees. Mary Ellen Wolf, Reston VA
We call Cicadas ” ChakChanh “
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Laotians are very exited about ” Chakchanh ”
will come out because It is exotic. Khammoung, Murfreesboro, TN
Was planning to mulch…
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Was planning to put down mulch around some of our trees this weekend but I’m afraid I my hurt the ciacdas chances of getting out? Does anyone know it this is a valid concern?
Thanks! Peter, Princeton, NJ
Comments (0)
May 11, 2004
May 1st – 11th 2004 Cicada Comments
Filed under: Brood X | — Dan @ 11:19 am
Was planning to mulch…
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Was planning to put down mulch around some of our trees this weekend but I’m afraid I my hurt the ciacdas chances of getting out? Does anyone know it this is a valid concern?
Thanks! Peter, Princeton, NJ
Cicadas are finally here!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I spotted 2 this morning in Lanham. I’ve waited a long time for this day!
Their cute little red eyes! Jinxy, Lanham, MD
They’re heeeeeeeeeere!!!!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I wanted to let you know they are here in New Carrollton and the Beltsville Agricultural Center as well. Here’s a real kicker: I’m entomophobic! But I’m actually caught up in Brood Xitement (hey, that’s good…I should use that…) Anyhoo. Right now, there is a squirrel in my front lawn. I think he’s poaching! It’s the same one that was in the street sitting in one spot and I couldn’t figure out what he was doing. But now I understand it. He’s looking for the cicadas! I can actually hear them outside some. Despite my entomophobia, I’m a little excited to hear them at high roar as I was 7 the last time they were around. Now, time to go look at the cool shop…I may have to get one of those nifty shirts… Jennifer W., New Carrollton, MD
Not in Central KY
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
No Roberta. I have been to the arboretum and raven’s run the last 4 days and haven’t seen any evidence of their coming. Ed, Lexington, KY
Any Kentucky sightings yet?
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I am so bummed — I have seen no signs of cicadas yet! The only thing I have noticed is a lot of bumpy ground in my front lawn, but when I dig I find no nymphs at all. I’ll simply CRY if we don’t get them! I’ve been creating a small exhibit on cicadas at our science museum here and it will be pretty pointless if we don’t get any. Anyone in central Kentucky seen them yet? Roberta Burnes, Lexington, KY
How far north do these things make it?
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I remember being a kid about 17 years ago having a massive infestation of bugs in Montreal that covered every available vertical object (trees, telephone poles, walls) for about 2 weeks then disappeared. The kids called the Chad flies. I have always wondered what those were and now I guess they must have been Cicadas.
Seemed like the furthest extent of their range was New York State based on most sites I have seen. Does anyone know if these things make it as far North as Montreal?
If so, I will post any details of the Northern invasion… Robert Cole, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
They’re here
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Saw several in my front yard this morning! Tom, Chantilly, VA
Have seen them for a week now!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Not a whole lot, but there I began seeing shells last week, and beginning Friday, they were flying into our sliding glass door. Friday night has been the loudest….there were probably 5 or 6, and it sounded as though there were 500. I haven’t heard them since, but they are still trying to fly into the glass door! Anthony, Waldorf, MD
If you’re still waiting, here’s a tip!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
If you haven’t been blessed with the sight of any cicadas yet, here is a tip on how to find some. If you know the location of a piece of slate, a large rock or a wood pile that can be easily moved, look under it! They burrow up under said items and you can make out the tunnels they’ve dug too. Matt, Bethesda, MD
No cicadas as yet BUTTTTT
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I haven’t seen any cicadas yet. But I have had an emergence of those nasty earwigs this weekend. I’ve never seen so many at one time. Maybe they arepredators to the cicadas.And they DO have a good pinch! I’ll take the cicada ANY time over the earwig! Pam Mortimer, Glen Burnie, Maryland
Hordes of Cidadas
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Our 60 year old house and the surrounding yard are now covered with them. It was quite amusing watching my wife (who has never experienced the cidadas before)sprint to her car with an umbrella over her head! David, Silver Spring, MD
Spotted Two This Morning
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I spotted two cicadas this morning, that apparently emerged not too long ago… They won’t last long, they came out on the ground beneath my bird feeder…. okay, make that one cicada, and one bird with a full belly. Bill Blum, Springfield, OH
Little Freaked Out!!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I’m sorry, I just can’t wait for them to all die and go away for another 17 years. I wish I could be enthusiastic and appreciate them but I have been stressing out for weeks now, I don’t want them bumping into me, blocking my front door and I don’t want to step on them either! I was 9 when they came last and my sister got one stuck in her hair! Yuk, I’m desperately thinking of ways to cover myself and avoid them all together!!! Shelley, Annapolis, MD
They’re heeeere
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I saw a couple hundred this morning on my way to work – on trees, telephone poles, car tires, shrubs, grasses, mail boxes. All in different stages of emergence. And the birds are having feast. Very, very cool. Dan Bannon, Takoma Park
they’re heeeeere !
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
my boss found her first one this morning, clinging to her garage. tess, edgewood, md
Recipes
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Does anyone have any good recipes for these tasty creatures. It is tradition that I eat a couple every time Brood X makes an appearance, that being said this will be my second time. What is the frying technique, are the wings pulled of first. I am thinking about a nice garlic buttered cicada on the grill. David, Falls Church, VA
First sightings
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I have a cicada shell sitting on my desk this morning, compliments of a co-worker who lives in Sulphur Springs, TN. (Northeast TN – just outside Johnson City). He has spotted holes in the ground on his property, and found this shell on the ground. They’re not on the trees yet. It’s just a matter of time now. Eeeewwww!!! I’m freaking out! PL, Sulphur Springs, TN
squirrels
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
If dogs can die from eating the cicadas, does that mean that dead squirrels will be falling out of the trees? Sissy, Burke VA
Holes
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Well, after letting the lawn get to Great Plains proportions, I finally mowed yesterday. And I came across these holes in my yard… I asked what they could be… NOW I get it! Of course. So, I should indeed be expecting the little creatures sometime soon. The earth bears her children, if you will.
This will be cool! A couple of things i am thankful for: 1) my neighbor killed my japanese maple last year (no need to worry about it this year) 2) I have a REALLY old car…no need to worry about dents, and smished creatures 3) The constuction on the house is almost done!
ENJOY! Deb, Takoma Park, MD
Hmmmm
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I’m originally from New Zealand and we have similar cicada’s but they are green instead of brown but still with the beautiful red eyes. Haven’t seen any yet, but will be keeping my eyes and ears open !!! Julie, Fairfax, VA
INCOMING!!!!!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I’ve been dive-bombed twice (not intentionally, just walked out the front door at the wrong time). They are HARMLESS, but it’s still creepy to be hit by one flying by. Their little carcasses are stuck to my walls. I swept away about a dozen off the front porch yesterday. I awoke this morning and one of my large Hosta plants in the back yard is covered (1-2 perched on every leaf). They first appeared last Saturday, 8 May. Angie, North Springfield, Virginia
We’re hearing them now
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Last night we heard our first two very loud cicadas in the wooded area next to our development. We had seen some emerge from the ground on May 1st. Traci, Germantown, MD
They’re here
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I saw 3 or 4 last evening around 6 pm on my patio. I could tell something was up, the birds were chirping excessively! Bob, Fall Church, VA
Anxious
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I can recal being in High School when they last came out. I just remember the LOUD noise was everywhere. I am living in a new neighborhood in DC now from when I was in High School, so I am not too sure that it will be that bad in my area. I’ll have to wait and see. I think that the crickets are bad enough, OOF where are my ear plugs.
Jose
NW, DC jose, NW, DC
my dog is digging for them!!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I saw about 3 cicadas this morning!! But all yesterday evening my pup was going nuts digging everywhere. he was on a serious excavating mission!! they are coming. he is excited but has no idea that his totally unsupervised backyard playtime has ended for a few months!! dp, Potomac, MD
Cicada invasion
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
This morning was the first that I really noticed them emerging in large numbers… on the side walk, in the air, the front lawn, and all over the car. Anyone know how long they were around 17 years ago? Chrissy, Cheverly, MD
Cicadas on the porch
Date: Monday, May/10/2004
today, May 10 there were a few cicadas on our porch here in the woods. Many could be heard in the distance george, NE Georgia Mountains Blairsville
they’re here!!!!!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
my cicadas appeared yesterday – monday 5/10/04. i had about 30, and i have another 30 or so today. they are on a patch of tall weeds (about 2 feet tall) on the east side of the house. when i first saw them, i was excited, interested, yet somewhat repulsed. today, i’m just excited. Pam, Kensington, MD
Shell in my drive way
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
As I was going to work this morning at 7am I noticed a shell in my drive way. They’er here!!! Mike, Arnold, Maryland
Brood X Emergence
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I live in McLean VA in suburban Washington DC. Last evening (Monday) after getting home from work my sons and I counted about 30-40 empty casings on the older trees in our front yard. Last night the big explosion began, however. When I got up this morning there were dozens of empty casing on the trees and we spotted lots and lots of cicadas crawling toward the trees and several more on the trunk and actually in the process of emerging from their casings. One was actually doing so on one of our cars. I also saw the first flying cicada, which my son picked up and carried around on his shoulders after it had landed. The empty casings, by the way, went well up into the trees. I saw some up more than 20 feet. jmgradon, McLean, VA
am observations
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
My kids and I went out on our porch this morning to watch some birds feasting on the cicadas, and to collect some shells.
What a great science lesson! Sean, Takoma Park, MD
They’ve Arrived!!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I have seen quite a few in the yard this morning. 5 or 6 of the creatures were attached to my car which is parked under a tree. That isn’t counting the shells in the yard. It hasn’t reached overwhelming proportions yet, which is good because I have a tremendous fear of insects. Nellie, Falls Church VA
They’re here
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
This past weekend, I noticed a few shells around and Monday noticed a few more. Got up this morning and my driveway had about 50 shells and about 10 cicadas (some looked dead, some moving slowly). The tires on my car looked polka dotted with all the shells left on them. I noticed on the street in front of my house probably 100 shells and lots of run over cicadas, however, when I drove down my street, other areas didn’t seem as affected. I must be ground zero for cicada in my neighborhood (Falls Church in Fairfax County, VA, near Annandale and Arlington). We’re moving to Tacoma, Washington today – I’m hoping everything gets loaded into the truck and makes it across country without getting covered in cicadas! Heather , Falls Church, VA
Sqealed with delight
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
This morning while out to get the paper, I nearly squished the first one. I brought it inside and showed my wife. She got so excited, she squealed with delight, jumping up and down and clapping her hands with childlike enthusiasm. I thought for a moment that she had been transported back seventeen years to the last emergence. Good times. Brian Williams, Falls Church, VA
A few!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Last night, while walking the dogs, I saw several cicada carcasses… I’m on the lookout in my backyard now. I wasn’t in Maryland the last time and so I’m looking forward to the emergence with both trepidation and excitement…! Michelle, Hyattsville, MD
They’re in our yard!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
We spotted a few cicadas in our yard yesterday (5/10), and caught one in a jar. Didn’t see any other western Fairfax County messages, so I thought I’d contribute. Liz, Reston, VA (west of DC)
hundreds and hundreds up
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Hundreds of cicadas up in the neighbor’s sunny, south facing yard yesterday and hundreds more today. They have climbed the stalks of unmown grass at the foot of an old maple and cover some of the small bushes. Then they take flight to nearby trees (and telephone poles.)No noise yet, except for the excited calls of the birds. r, Annandale, VA
First sighting
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Saw a great big perfectly formed, ugly cicada this morning on the outside of my screen porch. All five eyes were alert and he (she?) was ready to fly out and buzz someone. Beautiful!!!
Peggy Douglas, Washington D.C.
I’m jealous
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I’ve been reading with envy all the accounts of spotted cicada and I have to admit that I’m a little jealous. I haven’t heard one or seen one yet! I’m actually so ready to see one that I mistook a frog in my garage for one of the red-eyed buggers! I was 10 the last time the X brood swarmed the area and if I recall correctly, I used to pick them off my shirt and shake them out of my hair. I’m not saying I am ready to relive such an experience but now that I’m 27 I think, despite the fact that I’m not a fan of bugs, I am ready to appreciate them for their sheer magnitude and perseverance to sustain life in the ground for 17 years. Where are they already?? Jen, Anne Arundel County
netting
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I looked at the Reston Home Depot and Sterling Home Depot and Lowes; none of them have any netting. In my neighborhood, it seems like I am the only one concerned with protecting my young japanese maple trees. I think I am going to create a box out of old window screens held together with bungee cords. At least that will give them a fighting chance against egg laying in the woody stems.
Stacey, Reston, VA
Cicada Hole Siting
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Have seen lots of large holes in our lawn (under some plant pots we moved), but haven’t yet spotted an actual cicada. I love the way the creatures sound, but I can’t say I love the “crunching” under human feet. Will try to be careful when they’re out in force! Jinny, Bethesda, MD
BUG JUICE
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Okay, first of all, why are people facinated by these aliens?! They are SO gross! I am 17 years old, and the last time these monsters were here I was just a baby. My mom remembers running me into the car as fast as she could so they woulndt feast upon my body no bigger than theirs. And now.. as I approached my car this morning.. I was “delighted” to find 3 on my little black camry. I freaked out and screamed… there were THREE… And there are supposed to be thousands?? I can’t handle this… *cries* Mollye, Rockville, MD
Silver Spring Sighting
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I saw my first cicada this morning — a full-grown adult in all its black and red glory. It buzzed its way across my front porch before crashing into the side of my house. Soon, they will be crashing into me . . . Gaston, Silver Spring, mD
Wire Mesh
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Saw no cicadas, yet.
I, too, found Home Depot dropped much of their wire screening line. However, the Lowes at Dulles Town Center has a large selection with various opening sizes and gauges. It was quite effective at large keeping out large rodents. If you want something heavy, try Lowe’s. Peter, Sterling, VA
Faulty eclosion
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Cicadas need somewhere to perch and hang while they shed their skins (undergo ecdysis). If there are no good vertical surfaces (like that case below where the old tree was destroyed last year) many will not get the wingss expanded properly. David Marshall, Raymondsville, TX until Thurs
They are here
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I saw about 4-5 cicadas starting to come out of my lawn this morning when I was walking to my car. Time to get ready!!! MK, Silver Spring, Maryland
More then a 1000
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Indiana…An easy 1000…just this morning! I have been watching them in all stages under 2 oak trees.. over a 1000 doing the cicada dance. My dog had a added treat…looks like I buy a muzzle today! It is so amazing and thrilling. We have been much warmer here…mid 80’s and looks like it came early. The grass is so heavy under the trees with no signs of hills. Harriet, Nashville, Indiana ( South-Central)
Arrival last night
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
The 11 o’clock news showed the emergence in College Park, MD, so I went outside with a flashlight to look for bugs on our four mature trees. Sure enough, the front yard, with its red maple, were /swarming/ with them. But we couldn’t find /any/ on our ash and two maples in the back yard. A neighbor speculated that because it was so rainy last year, and our back yards are so marshy, the larvae may have drowned. Any thoughts on this? Jason R Tibbetts, Falls Church, VA
Many Emerging
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
We started noticing the nymphs emerging Friday morning. This morning our oak tree had hundreds of the red eyes getting ready to sing…. Cicada Watcher, Ellicott City, MD
I miss the cicads!!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I was born in DC in the summer of 1970 and my mother recounts what it was like to be pregnant with the cicadas swarming and singing all around her. It breaks my heart that I’m currently living in New England, and will miss the fascinating, hypnotizing, wonderful little creatures. Anyone want to FedEx me one? Ren, Cambridge, Mass.
I won!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I’ve counted at least 8 cicadas in my yard this morning. I moved out from CA less than 10 mos. ago, my wedding (partially outdoors) is planned for next month, and it’s just my freaky good luck that these creatures are timed to emerge now! My fiance left for a week-long business trip yesterday to boot, so it’s just me, our dog, and the cicadas. We made a bet as to when we thought the bugs would come out, and I won! You can be sure I’ll be cashing in on my bet when he comes back. Julie, Washington, DC
No ugly bugs here!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
First, let me start off by stating my own preferred name for cicadas is ‘ugly bug’ because they look like mutant house flies.
We normally get the late summer variety of ugly bugs but I haven’t seen any of this brood X yet.
When I moved into my house 12 years ago, I had a large Elm tree in my back yard that was always full of ugly bugs in late summer, I couldn’t even go out my back door at night without stirring up a bunch of them. In Feb of 1994 a devestating ice storm hit our area and the Elm tree didn’t make it. Each year after that, the siting of ugly bugs in my yard has dwindled to near nothing. If I have/had any brood X ugly bugs in my yard, would they have died when the Elm tree was removed? Or maybe our area doesn’t even have any brood X to begin with? We’ll find out soon enough, I suppose. Jeff, Lynchburg, VA
Saw my first yesterday
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
They aren’t all over the place yet, but I have spotted a few. The first was drying off about 10:30am yesterday on my garden hose. http://www.elb.com/~hjohnson/randompics/cicada.jpg Ruby, Lorton, VA
they’re here
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Out this morning in Arlington and there were about a hundred on one tree alone. The birds were enjoying a hearty breakfast, and the hum has begun in heavily wooded areas. Pixie, Arlington, VA
Holes and Wings
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Have spotted holes in the ground. A few Cicadas in the trees. One on our front porch and one very nearly dropped in my mouth. Goose McKraut, Oakton, Virginia
These poor guys, by the thousands
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Lots of the poor guys wandering around on the sidewalk where a huge tree used to stand before the hurricane took it out last fall.
Why do so many of them–about half of the thousands that have emerged since last Thursday–why are they deformed? Typically, their wings don’t unfurl all the way and wind up drying half formed. They flap them so hard but can’t get off the ground and instead wind up rolling in the dirt. It’s so sad! They have a hard life, these guys.
Alex , Side street in Chevy Chase, MD–Montgomery County
Cicada sighting in DC
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I saw about 10 cicadas huddled along a big branch on an old fruit tree out in the lawn next to my house yesterday.
I’d like to screen off my porch. Does anyone know where I can get 1/4inches netting in the DC area (10’x20′)? Home Depot didn’t carry it. Ben, Washington, DC
sstillll waiting
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
were are they i think there being sneaky this year owell ryan demoss, tn nashville
Nothing yet….
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
But still awaiting ! I don’t remmeber the last “attack” so now that I’m 37, I should appreciate this summer event enev more ! Frank, Harrisonburg, VA
Saw first one yesterday
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Yesterday I saw our first cicada. No singing yet. I wasn’t sure they would hit our area since it looks like we’re on the fringe of the map. Jerri, Ellijay, GA USA
I think this will be the week!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Well, we are expecting rain in the afternoons this week, and temps in the 80-90’s…….I have unearthed one nymph, ( I put him back) and my husband found one also, I keep checking for chimmneys, but havn’t found any….What gives? I grew up in Florida, and have only experienced ugh….Palmetto bugs. I am so excited to experience this natural phenom.! My friends are even having a cicada party!!!!! Complete with Sweet Cicada Pie! (It will just be Sweet potatoes, but maybe some nuts to make it crunchy! MMMMMM! I’ll let you know how it goes! Becky, Annapolis, Maryland
Bring ’em on!
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I was 10 in ’87, but now I’m 27 and ready to appreciate the coming invasion. Let’s see how many of these bad boys can make it out in 2004! Jason Baumgartner, Bel Air, MD
Spotted in Arlington, VA
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Probably about 30 or so on the sidewalks in the area near Wilson Blvd and George Mason Drive in Arlington, VA — at around 1:30 am 5/11/2004. Andrew Nuckols, Arlington, VA
Green Cicadas???
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
I grew up in Southwestern Oklahoma and they do have many many cicadas there during the summer months. I have never seen a black cicada before or even heard of one until now, when i was reading about the brood x happenings on www.msnbc.com
The cicadas I alway saw in oklahoma were green, not black, I dont see any pictures of green ones on this site. Have any of you seen green cicadas as well? Scott, Salt Lake City Utah
a spotting
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Saw about 10-15 cicadas crawling around and shedding their skin tonight. Evan, Princeton, NJ
They are here
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
Counted 10 to 15 this morning in the yard. Yippie!! kamie, Alexandria, VA
Cicada Sighting
Date: Tuesday, May/11/2004
We saw and heard cicadas tonight at Delhi Park in Cincinnati. Not to many, but they are finally emerging! Looking forward to the next couple of days. Bill, Western Hills; Cincinnati, OH
None yet…..
Date: Monday, May/10/2004
No cicadas have emerged here yet. They are fascinating to me, but only from a DISTANCE!! Last time they were out, there was one standing on my patio near the back door. I was too afraid to go out the door, thought it would jump up onto me or something. It just stood there all day. Finally a friend who came over went out to chase it away, and it turned out to be nothing but an empty cicada-shell! Maryann, Central NJ
Aftermath of Hurricane Isabel
Date: Monday, May/10/2004
Last night we noticed dozens of cicada nymphs on the sidewalk in front of our home, near where a tree came down during Hurricane Isabel last year. We think that they were living on the tree’s roots and are now not sure where to go. The wandering nymphs are fascinating, but I can’t wait to see them after they’ve shed! MMM, Washington, DC
At Last!
Date: Monday, May/10/2004
The Cicadas emerged today at my house today, only about 100 of them but I can’t wate to see what tommarow brings. Ian, Morristown TN. ~Hamblen County~
Cicada
Date: Monday, May/10/2004
Something very unusual happened this evening (May 10th) while sitting on my front porch.
There was sawdust on various portions of the floor of my porch. After looking around, I noticed small holes above me in the cedar ceiling of my porch. It was then I also heard unusual sounds. I flushed out the holes and lo and behold, three cicadas dropped out from the holes. NOTE: My house was built 17 years ago.
Lynn G., Jamison, PA
YIKES!!!
Date: Monday, May/10/2004
It’s good to see that other people are freaking out like myself. I thought I was the only one who was afraid. Bugs are not “cool”, and anyone who thinks they are I envy. I started panicing weeks ago and trying to think of ways to cover myself. Today on rainshop.com I bought one of the “bubble umbrellas” of the 70s. Other scared people should buy them too, and we can start a cool new fashion statement! Simone , Silver Spring, MD
AHH
Date: Monday, May/10/2004
I do not want these cicadas to come out! im deathly afraid of bugs..and this isnt going to help! everyone is telling me that they wont hurt you…but i dont care…it still flies, and its still a bug! grr..anywho..enough of my complaining! hope everyone has a fun time dealing with these things;).
Kim* kim, Westminster,MD
Cicadas on the porch
Date: Monday, May/10/2004
today, May 10 there were a few cicadas on our porch here in the woods. Many could be heard in the distance george, NE Georgia Mountains Blairsville
A real odditie…
Date: Monday, May/10/2004
There is a hole, a borrow hole about the size of a golfball along side of the railroad tie which boxes off my parking pad. Last nite we saw something unusual at least to us anyway. Instead of Cicads coming out of the hole a thing that looked similar to a midget lobster popped his head and claws out just far enough for me to see it’s 1 inch crab like claws and it had 2 feelers or antenni on it’s head. It wouldn’t come out any further. I know we don’t have scorpions here in central Maryland or at least there is not supposed to be.
Is there such a thing as a cicada Killer?? It really has me puzzeled..
Well I was just informed by a 15 year old boy that these are crawfish.. Now I never know crawfish to live in a residential neighborhood… Thansk
Harry
Harry Chavez Sr, Edgewood, Maryland
The Cicada have finally emerged in the nations Capitol
Date: Monday, May/10/2004
It’s Monday May 10, 2004 and I observed my first Black-bodied, Red-eyed Cicada today! These are the first I’ve seen in DC this year. I captured it in a cup, showed it off to everyone I could, then named it Ralph and brought it home to Manassas, VA for the family and pets to see! And play with! Jeff, US Naval Observatory, Washington DC
adult cicadas
Date: Monday, May/10/2004
this morning I woke up to find several dozen cicada nymphs covering the bush in my front yard…many were still coming out of there shells. There were also several cicadas that had already emerged. Janell, Fairfax, VA
Emerging in Rockville, MD
Date: Monday, May/10/2004
The cicadas started coming out Friday morning, May 7th in an area where we get lots of sun. Today (the 10th), I’ve been watching them emerge all day long. They are crawling all over my hostas, daylillies and shrubs as well as up the brick facing of my townhouse all around the door which is a little freaky. I’m both horrified and fascinated! Rose, Rockville, MD
Two in my backyard right now
Date: Monday, May/10/2004
I have two cicadas in my yard right now. One is still drying one wing, and the other just flew off. Last night after my angst at not seeing any holes, I found one adult in the front yard. Yes, I am happy. Dona, Bethesda, MD, USA
First sighting
Date: Monday, May/10/2004
I just saw my first cicada while walking the dogs this morning. My daughter is getting married in two weeks and we are completely calm about this natural phenomenon. The ceremony is outdoors (reception indoors) and I just hope one of them doesn’t fall into her hair as she walks down the path but otherwise, we’re looking on their arrival and presence as a sign of good luck. Trying to be very “meditative” about the whole thing since there’s not a lot we can do at this point. Mireille, Bethesda, MD
Adult cicadas
Date: Monday, May/10/2004
This morning one of my students brought in an adult cicada. With my 4th grade classes, we took a walk around the school. We found another adult on a tree. They are predicting that Wed. as the mass time. We are in Silver Spring in the Four Corners area.
Shirley Jeffords Shirley Jeffords , Silver Spring, MD
Saw one this morning
Date: Monday, May/10/2004
A freshly-hatched one too. It looked like a jewel carved out of ivory with carnelian beads for eyes. It was laying in the gutter with its nymph shell nearby and I helped it onto a tree to dry out. What a great way to begin a trilling week! Christa, Alexandria, VA
They are here!
Date: Monday, May/10/2004
Last night at 10:17 pm we witnessed the first mass emergence near the College Park Campus of the University of Maryland. This was the “hundred cicada per tree” kind of event spoken of by folks like John Cooley. Cicadamaniac Paula Shrewsbury said “It was that kind of special, magic night entomologists dream of but rarely get a chance to experience”. Needless to say the rest of the Cicadamaniacs are nearly org*smic over the arrival of Brood X. MIke Raupp, College Park, MD
Good snakes
Date: Monday, May/10/2004
I don’t get it – why you all folks so happy about this horrible event, which is going to spoil half of the summer?
Well, anyway – we are not seeing these celebrated ugly things here in Fairfax yet. HUNDREDS of holes, though. But we are seeing SNAKES. I live in Fairfax almost 10 years – and I haven’t seen anything but GARDEN snakes here before. Now – there are something entirely different, something that looks dangerous. So – here we go, predators are coming for a generous meal! Be excited – if you can. Elena, Farfax
They are out in full force here
Date: Sunday, May/9/2004
The last few days, we have seen hundreds of cicadas around our house. I have had to sweep them off the back porch before stepping out. They are still emerging and if they keep coming out – it will be truely amazing. So far they have been quiet…not sure when they are suppose to start “singing”. Bennie, Knoxville, TN
Nymph sightings
Date: Sunday, May/9/2004
I posted earlier with my sighting of a fully emerged adult male. After finishing my yard work for the day I can say I think they will begin to emerge in full force this week in suburban Maryland. I have seen several nymph holes in my yard by moving stones and pieces of wood. I don’t even have a big tree in my yard but my neighbor does right by the fence. With temps in the high eighties and the chance of late day thunder storms to soften the ground even more, I think this is the week to see a mass emergence! I am taking photos with my digital camera and may post them on the web.
Later! Sean, Kensington, MD (Suburban Wash. DC)
Saw my first brood x cicada
Date: Sunday, May/9/2004
UGH! I saw the one (and only one) at Blue Lick State Park in northern KY today, Mother’s Day.
Jill, Kentucky
No longer waiting in Bethesda
Date: Sunday, May/9/2004
Me again.
After I sent the last, sad message, that I had no evidence of cicadas on my property, I started planting some flowers in a vine covered shade garden and saw a cicada nymph. Then I noticed some holes nearby and my children overturned some flagstones to uncover dozens of holes and nearly emerging nymphs. Whew. I thought I would be left out. Dona, Bethesda, MD, USA
First sighting (for me anyway)
Date: Sunday, May/9/2004
I was pruning shrubs and trees in my back yard this morning and I was startled by a large buzzing insect which flew into my head and landed on my shirt. I was overjoyed to see that it was a small male cicada recently emerged, it’s wings and other body parts were just rigid enough for it to attempt flight. I carried him up to my deck to finish drying. Later I went up to check on him and he flew off as I came close. Brood X is not far away Washington! Get ready and bring your ear plugs! Sean Coleman, Kensington, MD (Wash. DC suburb)
Waiting in Bethesda
Date: Sunday, May/9/2004
I am disappointed that there are no signs of cicadas in my yard. The local school has lots of cicada holes around a huge old tree, but my yard has nothing. Our trees are old and I don’t think there was a lot of construction done in the past 17 years, so where are my cicadas? (Although I believe this 1940’s house was added onto *in* 1987. Perhaps the construction made the insects uncomfortable and they all went into neighbors’ yards.
I am so excited about this emgergence. I was fascinated with the 1987 cicadas. I was teaching in Arlington, Virginia at the time and it was thick with the little critters there. Alexandria, where I lived at the time, had few…at least in my neighborhood.
Sorry about your message boards. I was looking for my old post and saw that you needed to change formats. Some people are just plain mean. Dona, Bethesda, MD, USA
Waiting and dreading
Date: Sunday, May/9/2004
They are not officially here, but I see the holes around the trees and other places. It has been 80 degrees for 3 days and the ground should be warm enough soon. Having lived through at least 3 sieges of cicadas (one may have been the 13 yr variety), I am terrified, they fly right into a person. Blindly driven by that mating call. I have bought 4 ponchos, the dollar variety, hoping to cover myself with a non stick surface on route to and from car. I HAVE to work or I would stay in house for a month. At night, the last time they came the ground would ripple under the trees where they were erupting. YUCK. Thanks for this board, I love reading the other experiences. Micki, Nashville TN
awaiting emergence
Date: Sunday, May/9/2004
I have not yet seen an adult, but have encountered an enormous number of nymphs just below the surface on my property. From doing some careful digging, overturning logs, etc., I think that I have an underground cicada nymph density of about 30-50 per square yard – this is not a surprising number given that almost all of the ten acres I own is old, virgin forest. It is going to get crazy here shortly.
I am expecting emergence within the next few days, especially since we are going to be having high temps in the 80s for at least the next week, which will get the ground warm. Am planning on videotaping much of the emergence, and then moving my bed to a windowless basem*nt so that I can sleep through the noise at night. Greg Lehmiller, North Baltimore County, Maryland
Not here yet…..
Date: Sunday, May/9/2004
But I’ve been watching! Will go to the Furnace Hills today and see if we can find any. Mike Frey, Lancaster PA
Cicada video – emergence from shell!
Date: Saturday, May/8/2004
2 years ago I saw (for the first time in my life) a cicada emerging from its shell. I ran & grabbed my 8mm video camera & shot almost all of it. I shot 90 min before my camera broke down. I edited it down to 15 min & put a Tool song behind it. You can watch the movie free on my website here:
http://homepage.mac.com/weedmeat/iMovieTheater3.html
You need a newer version of Quicktime to watch it as it’s in mp4 format. Quicktime is a free download from http://apple.com/quicktime/
Dim the lights, crank the volume, have fun, & let me know what you think. And watch out for the crazy ant ;^) weedmeat, Chicago
How can I preserve cicadas?
Date: Saturday, May/8/2004
I teach 4th and 5th science and would like to preserve some of the adult cicada. How can I do it? To preserve the nymphs just let them dry out. Shirley Jeffords, Wheaton, MD
Emergence in Fort Aberdeen
Date: Saturday, May/8/2004
Our neighbor was attending an outdoor ceremony in a tent in Fort Aberdeen, MD on May 6 when the Brood X came out in large numbers. We have cicadas one inch down in our soil waiting for the right moment which should be soon. David Olson, Columbia, MD
first sighting in DC?
Date: Saturday, May/8/2004
It’s 2:15am and there’s a cicada sticking to the frame of the door of my apartment complex. I am *so* staying indoors this weekend. AG, Washington DC
question
Date: Saturday, May/8/2004
how big are adult cicadas? Adolf, baltimore,md
Do these cicada’s come to Massachusetts?
Date: Friday, May/7/2004
I do not remember seeing these things. Are they like locusts? Diane Marshall, Wrentham,Ma
Protective Cicada Gear
Date: Friday, May/7/2004
For anyone who is absolutely terrified of these buggers, you might want to invest in clear bubble umbrella like the ones from the 70’s. They cover the top half of your body. Even though the cicadas can fly up underneath, at least you can prevent them for landing in your hair or splatting in your face.
I look forward to seeing the month of July!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck everyone!! Angie, Cincinnati, Ohio
Cicadas at night
Date: Friday, May/7/2004
Are cicadas active at night? Are they attracted to lights? Will it help to put yellow bulbs in my porch lights? Gaston, Silver Spring, MD
Run for your life
Date: Friday, May/7/2004
I can’t believe I have to endure these things again! Isn’t anyone else out there frightened to death? Where can I move that’s within an hour or so to DC to escape these little nightmares!?!? Mr Bug, Bethesda, MD
me so scuuurreedd
Date: Friday, May/7/2004
i HATE bugs, but more than that, they scccaaarreee me! eeewwwww – how long are they here for? i’m in the dc area – and where can i go for a month that they won’t be?!?! lisa, dc
First Cicada
Date: Friday, May/7/2004
When dropping my daughter off at daycare this morning I almost stepped on a cicada. It’s wings were not spread yet and it just rolled off the step as I moved by.
I didn’t get a picture but it looked exactly as I remember it from my childhood.
My wife is going to be so unhappy that I saw one first. 😉 Mark, Wheaton, MD (just outside the Capitol Beltway)
Cicada Image from 17 Years ago.
Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
I took this image in Maryland 17 years ago, during the last periodic appearance of these pests.
http://www.photo.com/photodb/photo.tcl?photo_id=2343185
Bill Angel, Silver Spring, Maryland
Cicada Function
Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
Try this website for more information about Cicada’s and their purpose for life on earth.
http://www.lander.edu/rsfox/310TibicenLab.html Erin, Columbia, MD
Sighting
Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
I saw one flying around my window at work around 3:00 pm today. EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW yuck, Columbia
Do they sing at night?
Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
Do they sing all day and all night? Do they ever stop before they die? Sheila, Baltimore,MD
What is the purpose?
Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
I can’t find anything to document the function or purpose of a cicada? Anyone out there know anything? Kim, Baltimore, MD
Hurry up, cicadas!
Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
I remember the “invasion” in 1987. One of my co-workers was outside having a smoking break and a cicada flew up her skirt and got stuck on her pantyhose. It has been a long 17 years and I need another laugh of that magnitude.
Seriously, my best friend was out looking for spring peepers and found a lot of cicadas underneath rocks, just waiting. My guess is that when we start having warmer nights, they will come up.
Suggestion for fun — have an office cicada pool! Everyone contributes a dollar and the first person who sees a cicada wins the pool!
Have a trilling day!
Christa Christa, Alexandria, VA
RE: DON’T SPRAY
Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
Roberta Burnes makes an excellent point. I hear about at least one pet dying per year after eating cicadas which were sprayed with pesticides. If you love your pets, or neighbors pets, don’t spray. In addition pesticides meant to kill pests can kill other insects as well. Guess what happens when you kill too many bees: plants don’t get fertilized, they die off and no more food for you and me. Dan Mozgai, Cicada Mania Headquarters
DON’T SPRAY! Spraying cicadas poisons cats and dogs!
Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
I’ve read so many posts from scared people who talk of spraying the cicadas….please people, THINK about where that poison goes once it hits the cicada. These insects are food for many, many other creatures including songbirds, cats, dogs, squirrels, snakes. Poison does not get magically washed away — when you spray insecticide it enters the food chain. One cat or robin gorging themselves on cicadas (which is what they do during emergences) can ingest enough poison to cause paralysis or death. I’ve seen it happen with songbirds when I worked in a wildlife rehab clinic. Please don’t spray the cicadas — it won’t stop them coming into your yard from other areas, and you’ll wond up poisoning many other creatures unintentionally. Roberta Burnes, Lexington, KY
just a question
Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
ummm well i have been hereing that cicadas can pinch you and leave a scar or something. are they so loud that you can here them when your window is closed? unone, Maryland
Won’t be long now!
Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
My wife and I were planting a bit in the garden yesterday and found them about an inch down. I imagine DC is ready to break with Baltimore right behind. The soil temperature should be perfect after this weekend as we’ll be in the 80’s (pushing 90). We’re leaving for Ireland tonight and we fully expect them to be out when we get back next week.
As far as your plants, not to worry. The evergreens are also relatively safe. Your young trees, however, will get some attention. We also have a young Japanese Maple. Just don’t prune anything until after they’re gone as they’ll kill some branches. The cheesecloth or some mesh is a good idea as it reduces the probability of them making it to your tree. They’re really dumb, but when there’s a million of them, chances are they’ll make it no matter what!
Have Fun! JS, Baltimore, MD
Harm to Plants
Date: Thursday, May/6/2004
I would like to know other than the small fruit trees in my backyard that I have covered with cheescloth, will the cicadas harm azaleas, rhodos, japanese maple or red leaf maples that are 4 years old? Will they touch small evergreens – like blue spruce or douglas firs? How about shrubs like holly?
I want to cover everything that might be affected in my landscape in southern Maryland. Can someone give me these answers or point me to a place that I can get these answers?
Thanks in advance! Heidi , Waldorf, MD
turrets
Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
Breaking off the turrets is not likely to hurt them, although no one really knows for sure what the turrets are for. The cicadas sometimes just seal such openings back up until it is time to come out. David Marshall, Univ. of CT (Land of Basketball Domination)
Mud Chimneys
Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
I was trimming my hedge in front of the house, and when I was raking up the trimmings, I broke off a bunch of mud chimneys! Sorry little dudes! Will this hurt the nymphs at all? Maybe not because they stay in the ground? Thanks for any info! David Kirk, Brookville, IN
Time of Cicada arrival
Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
Today I found several all white cicada under logs and brush. They were right at ground level and out of there holes. Can anybody give an approximate date for the emergence in the Washington D.C. area? Richard, Sandy Spring, Maryland
How bad will they be in Dayton?
Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
I went through this in 1999, when Brood V hit northern WV. Now, I’ve moved to Dayton, and it’s not fair that I’ll have to deal with another round of cidadas only 5 years later.
What I remember from WV was an astonishing plague of biblical proportions. People didn’t want to leave the house. You couldn’t make it 10 feet outside your door without getting hit by 2 or 3 of them.
I’ve heard that Cincinnati will be very hard hit. But does anyone know what they’re like in Dayton (southeast side, specifically)? Do they blacken the skies like I remember Brood V doing?
What, exactly, am I in for? Please tell me something good. Dave, Dayton, OH
Incoming cicadas
Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
Many people have asked about pesticides for these periodical cicadas. I would like to post my opinion: Deal with the temporary inconvenience of the cicada invasion. History shows that humans have been less-than-responsible in our use of pesticides and their long-term negative impact on the global environment. These bugs are basically harmless, although a nuisance, and before you know it, they’ll be gone and we can enjoy another 17 years (!) with no cicadas. Siobhan, PG County, Maryland
Magi-cicada
Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
It’s pronounced “magi – cicada”– no “k” sound. I wondered the same thing until I went on my internship with UConn’s cicada team for Brood XXIII two years ago. =) Nick, Cicadas of Arkansas
pronounce “magicicada” please
Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
Is it like “magic” with a “k” and then “cicada” or just “magi” without the “k” sound? Also, is the plural of “cicada” also “cicada” or is it “cicadas”?
Thanks! Terri, Silver Spring, Maryland
Their pinchers
Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
Now I know they dont bite you but can they pich you? Jean, Lebanon,IN
My first cicada and UM T-shirts
Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
I saw my first cicada yesterday – I was weeding my flower bed and pick up a rock – there was a large, pale insect with red eyes pushing up out of a newly-dug chimney. It quickly retreated – aaaaggh! The light! The light! I then started looking around my yard and noticed a lot of chimneys, all over the place. I haven’t seen any more cicadas yet, though.
For another topic, does anyone know if you can purchase the University of Maryland Entomology Department T-shirts online? JenB, Alexandria, Virginia
Non-periodic cicadas
Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
I hear loud buzzes on some nights while driving past thick woods in North Florida, and these rise and fall in volume and pitch in exact unison. Is this news to anybody? It seems remarkable to me that the bugs could stay in time tho spread out over a mile or so of woods.
And are these sounds from cicadas at all, or could they be katydids or some such, even though they are very loud and easily audible from a car speeding past the woods.
I’ve heard these synchronized sounds many nights, and am not sure they are caused by PERIODIC cicadas.
Are there nonperiodic cicadas in North Florida that emerge at random times, thus having some in the woods at all times?
Thanks for any helpful info. Paul PAUL, bRADENTON FL USA
Location
Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
Does anyone know where in Indy I may take my children to enjoy this event.. I have heard that they may emerge around the Fort Ben area. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks. Kim, Indianapolis, IN
Question
Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
How long do Cicada’s stay for? Nathan, Lebanon, IN, Boone Country
Cicadas
Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
Tehe last time the Cicadas were here one flew into my hair and I have been scared to death of them ever since. If the market has spray to kill other insects, why doesn’t someone come up with something to get rid of these horrible things? True they can’t hurt you but there so many of them that it seems something could be done. Linda M., Cincinnati, Ohio
Oh my, could it be?
Date: Wednesday, May/5/2004
I’m no expert, but I think I saw a new adult while removing sheets I had put over my roses. At first I thought it was a strange grasshopper! Michael, Maysville, KY
cicada sighting
Date: Tuesday, May/4/2004
Saw cincada for first time today. Was moving mulch off flowers emerging from ground. When I moved the mulch maybe a 1inch under was two cincada still white in form . Polly Weber, Elkton, Md , Cecil county
The Message Board is back up
Date: Tuesday, May/4/2004
Due to fact that we were getting too much spam and family-unfriendly messages, the board is now moderated. Send in your message, we’ll review it and post it. Dan Mozgai, New Jersey
Comments (0)
April 30, 2004
Cicada Comments from April 2004
Filed under: Brood X | — Dan @ 11:16 am
re: flying or crawling?
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
Becca, they start out crawling when they emerge from underground. They crawl up the highest thing (ie; a tree), where they transform into flying creatures. Check out this link: http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/fauna/michigan_cicadas/Periodical/Index.html And I totally understand and share your fears. I’m also from New England, and had I known that this occured, I probably would have never relocated out here! Patricia, PG County, MD
They are lots of fun
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
If you do get these here are some fun things to do with them. In 87 we dressed one up like elvis. Then we made some small glasses cut out of clear film and super glued them to the cicadas eyes. Looked really cool. But the best thing to do to them is amuse them. We found an adult cicada fit perfectly in the barrel of a paint ball gun. It is like a amusem*nt ride for them. After giving them a co2 enama they leave the barrel at 300 ft per sec.That way the birds cant eat them, They are going to fast. The other fun thing is to paint their eyes with white-out and let them go in the house. They will fly into everything. Also if you pull the wings off they have to walk the rest of their lives. On the same note you can pull the legs off throw them in the air and they have to fly the rest of their life. I have taken bottle rockets off the stick and super glue the bottle rocket to the cicadas back, light it and throw it in the air, They get a bang out of that. If you any more good clean fun cicada amusem*nt ideas plz e-mail them to me. Don Doneagle5 [AT] aol.com, Cincinnati
flying or crawling?
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
Do they fly or crawl? do they crawl up your pants legs? do they crawl on your screens? I’m DREADING this. I grew up in New England where we didn’t have these… Becca, PG County, MD
OK…..
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
Thanks for your words Leslie. I am right next door in Hyattsville and you have calmed me a bit… Patricia, PG County, MD
SCARED
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
Hey all, I need advice bad from a GOOD source of information. Can anyone tell me something about the cicada that will make me feel a little better? All I am hearing is that it will be impossible to function outside becuase they will be swarming all around us. I am getting scared to even take my 15 mth old son outside to play…I need to know if this is really as bad as everyone is saying. Can someone give me some knowledgable words of comfort? jamie, Charlotte Hall, MD
Are they coming earlier than expected?
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
I had heard that they were supposed to be coming out in mid-May, now I’m hearing that it will be sooner. Does anyone know? I am REALLY scared, (and know they are harmless but it doesn’t matter). I’m just freaking out here. I hadn’t heard about them swarming around people before…I was going to carry an umbrella when I went outside, but now it sounds like it won’t help much…any advice is most appreciated… Patricia, PG County, MD
Cicadas
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
Do cicadas eat or dig holes in your yard? Letitia, Maryland
Dundalk
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
I’ve contacted the principal of the Dundalk Middle School, and boy are you kids in trouble. Wait ’til your parents find out. Also, I guess your teachers aren’t doing a very good job, ‘cuz you kids sure can’t spell. Sky, Arlington, Va.
CICADA
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
HOW DO THEY EAT THERE FOOD? ROGER THOMPSON, DUNDALK
cicada
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
I WORSHIP THE DEVEIL
\ veronica, school
Moo!
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
ROGER LOVE A TREE HUGGING HIPPE AND DARIUS! Meru, Dundalk
dghd
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
no i dont ROGER dose lol clinton, dundalk middle school
cicada’s
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
I LOVE CLINTON veronica weber, school
Meow
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
im boucnybunny lol dodododododododododododo roger sucks! Meru69, dundalk
kissy kissy
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
im a happy bunny hug me Roger, Dundalk middle school
cicada’s
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
hi veronica weber. clinton , dundalk middle school
cicada
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
hi clenton see more buts, dundalk md.
hi
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
hi bob, dudndalk
hi
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
you guys are stupid bob, dundalk
COOLEST THING
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
Dear Ralph – Is it Norwood or Kenwood? Ghost, Warren County
To Amy in Ohio
Date: Thursday, Apr/22/2004
I saw the coolest thing in Walgreens yesterday that would be perfect for your cicada party, check it out. Ralph, Norwood
I died and went to hell
Date: Wednesday, Apr/21/2004
I moved to Reston VA in 1987 from NY and I never in my life experienced anything like these buggers! I thought I had died and gone to hell. I used to RUN to the mailbox and back, ending up covered in these disgusting creatures… screaming all the way. I swore that I’d MOVE before the 17 years was up and they came again. Doh. I’m still here. I plan on not leaving the house for a month. Jean B, Reston VA
protecting my air conditioner
Date: Wednesday, Apr/21/2004
Do I need to protect my air conditioners from cicadas? If yes, what should I use? maggie, maryland
Re: Magicicada
Date: Wednesday, Apr/21/2004
A.Briscoe,
The cicadas should be here about mid May & be gone by the middle of June. As far as I remember the brunt of the chaos was in the last week of May & the first week of June. Hope this helps. Roy T, Batavia, OH
Magicicada
Date: Wednesday, Apr/21/2004
The magicicadas are going to be here next month(May). My question is when they arrive, how long will they be in town? A.Briscoe, Mount Rainier, MD, P.G. County
Party cicada
Date: Wednesday, Apr/21/2004
Are you kidding Amy? Go to cincycicada.com where you can get all of your cicada supplies, shirts, mugs, coasters and more! Joe, Cincinnati
Cicada Items
Date: Wednesday, Apr/21/2004
Does anyone know where I can get Cicada items for a Cicada theme party in May? I am looking for Tshirts- or cups.Thanks,
Amy Amy, Ohio
Highway Problems?
Date: Wednesday, Apr/21/2004
I have a road trip planned to Pittsburg the 1st week of June. Will there still be alot then. Will I be stopping every few mile to clean my windshield. Are they going to clog up my radiator. Steve, Colerain Twp (Cincinnati)
Nymphs are starting to build mud chimneys!
Date: Tuesday, Apr/20/2004
I was out in the woods in my back yard this afternoon & saw that some of the cicada nymphs are starting to build little mud chimneys to control the wet soil they are in. The little buggers don’t want to drown down there even though from reading some of these message posts lots of people wish they would. lol Roy T, Batavia, OH
WHY?!?!
Date: Tuesday, Apr/20/2004
Why does this have to happen? If I could think of my absolute worst nightmare – it would be huge flying ugly bugs covering every inch of land! I can already see myself being injured or having a panic attack after a run in with a cicada. I am just ready to get it over with… Tiffany, Laurel, MD
RE: Lain
Date: Tuesday, Apr/20/2004
I seriously doubt they’re Cicadas. What color were they? Are they stubby and plump like a miniature vienna sausage, or are they flat w/ antennae? If they were perfectly round, very small and looked like a ladybug only brown, I’d say they were probably Japanese Ladybugs. They have a hard casing with wings below. I’m such a bug phobe. The exterminator is coming tomorrow to deal with our Carpenter Bees over our deck, the Paper Wasps that have taken up residence there, and the 3 Waterbugs I found a few days ago. I HATE BUGS! The only think I hate more are CICADAS. I don’t see them as bugs; they’re little demons. I feel like I’m in a race to get everything done before they invade N. Kentucky. Once they’re here … I’m staying in. It’ll take Jesus’ coming to get me out of this place! Lisa, Ft. Thomas, KY
I remember them well!
Date: Tuesday, Apr/20/2004
They don’t seem to have gotten here yet but I know they’re on their way. The last time they were here my dog ate them like popcorn and gained 5 lbs–the only member of my family that thought it was a GOOD thing! I feel sorry for everyone who has to work outside–it’s miserable especially for landscapers, lawncare folks, etc. The cicadas are drawn to loud buzzing noises and have been known to send grown men on ride mowers over the edge! J. Lee, Nashville, Tennessee
Cicada Life cycle
Date: Tuesday, Apr/20/2004
Last night I found 8 small (1/4 inch)
bugs in my living room. They had hard outer wing cases with wings below. I did a little research on some insect keys but my insect anatomy is a little rusty. Does anyone know if there’s any possibility that these are cicadas? I do hope so because if they’re not they’re small roaches!
Thanks
Iain G Iain, Annapolis, MD
Re: sooo worried about the bugs
Date: Tuesday, Apr/20/2004
Becca,
Yes, the critters will try to come inside if you have your doors open at night with strong light inside the house. Also, cicadas are attracted to porch lights so it’s best to keep those off at night if you are outside. Cicadas are not known to have road rage so no need to panic if one lands on you, just brush it off. If you are scared to touch them just carry a small paint brush with you & you can use that to brush them off that way. They are obviously more crawlers before they shed their skins but both crawl & fly when adults. Hope this helps.
Roy T, Batavia, OH
Dothey see
Date: Monday, Apr/19/2004
I want to know if cicada’s can see. Or are this big eyed bugs blind. and if they can’nt see why are their eyes so big.You wood think that if they have such big red eyes,and have so many fly life looks.Again why can’nt they see where they’re going.And what they’re doing.Do they smell’I did’nt see a nose I just see those “BIG SPOOKY SCARRY RED EYES!!!” Nita E., baltimore maryland
to Amanda
Date: Monday, Apr/19/2004
Girl I understand how you feel because I have never seen these bugs before either and I am scared. I just want them to hurry up and come because I am tired of hearing about them. The more I hear about them the more scared I get. When it comes to your lacrosse practice, personally I would stay in the house or ask if they could have practice indoors. kendra, pg county Maryland
sooo worried about the bugs
Date: Monday, Apr/19/2004
Does anyone know if there is anything you can do to minimize the chance of the cicadas landing on you? Are there colors that are better or worse? Are they more flying or crawling bugs? Do they try to come inside (like moths)? Becca, Maryland
Re: Do they like water?
Date: Monday, Apr/19/2004
John,
There was an emergence several years ago along the river upstream from Newport & the cicadas emerged all the way up to the riverbanks so I doubt the critters will be repelled by the water. Sorry it wasn’t the answer you probably wanted to hear. Roy T, Batavia, OH
Do they like water?
Date: Monday, Apr/19/2004
I’m the GM of a popular rest with a patio overlooking the river. Is it true that Cicadas hate the water and if so are my guests safe from the annoyance? Please help john, newport
Got a Shirt from www.cincycicada.com
Date: Monday, Apr/19/2004
Joe I goy one of those shirts you were talking about how funny. I think the web site is. www.cincycicada.com John, Cincinnati
4/18/2004…Found 7 cicadas emerging!
Date: Sunday, Apr/18/2004
Thought these buggers weren’t due until mid to late May?! Found seven right below the soil while digging to plant a few flowers. (Thought I could beat the cicada frenzy). These babies are ready now, YUK! I can hardly wait. Actually, I wish they’d just come on and get here and get it over with! I’m tired of thinking about it! I feel like standing outside and screaming “If you want me, come get me!” People say they won’t hurt you….heart attacks hurt; don’t they?! Linda, Fairfield Ohio
decibels
Date: Sunday, Apr/18/2004
Does anyone know why if one cicada makes a sound as loud as a motorcycle, why don’t 1000 cicadas sound like the accumulated sound of 1000 motorcycles? Jon, MD
Hate those bugs!!!!
Date: Sunday, Apr/18/2004
I’m the floral designer for Cappel’s Downtown Store in Cincinnati, Ohio. Even thought we hate these bugs, we at Cappel’ enjoy making these little bugs into pins and have made special order Cicada pith hats for those who feel the need for them! You can’t do anything about them so live with them and have a party! A Cicada Party, why not, live a little!!! Linda Linda, Cincinnati, Ohio
will it effect me outside
Date: Sunday, Apr/18/2004
hi this is my first time experiencing the cicadas. i go to school in DC and we have lacrosse practice everyday outside on the field. Do you think this will effect me a lot. Did i mention that i am SO freaked out when it comes to bugs. I just can’t wait till this is over and it hasn’t even started. Amanda, Bethesda, MD
They’re Here!
Date: Saturday, Apr/17/2004
I was working in the yard today, 4/18/04 and saw two of the little buggers when I picked up a bag of mulch that had been sitting on the grass. I figure the mulch bag made the earth warm and they thought it was time to come out and date. Oh boy-here we go again! Greg Schwartz, City of Alexandria, VA
Yuck, this can’t be happening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: Saturday, Apr/17/2004
Is it true that those icky sticky shelled bugs are coming back in May 2004. I seem to remember the Cicada’s coming not too long ago! No way it’s been 7 years! Is there anything you can do to prefent them from eating away at our trees? Molly joe Sue, Ohio
Cicada T-Shirts
Date: Saturday, Apr/17/2004
If you are looking for a funny twist to the cicada invasion look at this site.
www.cincycicada.com
The tshirts are great. Joe, Ohio
OK…I have faced the fact that they are coming…
Date: Friday, Apr/16/2004
…but I am SO scared. I have an unbelievable bug phobia and I truly do not know how I am going to make it through this.I am so glad that I found this site, and I really appreciate the links that someone was nice enough to provide to give more info.Question: Are they really active in the evening? I’m thinking that if I stay in all day, maybe I can get out at night to run errands. or maybe first thing in the morning… Patricia, PG County, MD
My God, a Cicada sonata
Date: Friday, Apr/16/2004
If a Cicada mates with a sheep, does it result in a baa hum bug? Bug lovin’, Baltimore, Maryland
Dirty Mexican Bugs
Date: Thursday, Apr/15/2004
These bugs are little mexicans. Basically they pack like hundreds in your head…like told earlier from a Jon from NY. These critters bends over like the best of them. I have seen about 7 at a time in this kids head while he was swinging on a outdoor mansled. I was much amazed that I actually had to join them. Good Luck and Enjoy the rendezvous! HackleBerry Joe, Africa
Those crazy bastards
Date: Thursday, Apr/15/2004
I am 20. I remember those little buggers flying around and mating like machines. I was 3 at the time, and one of those hot little momma cicadas fly into my hair, and then the strapping young lad-cada pranced on over, and they began mating like fiends. I am terrified every day, waiting with no hope of stopping the horrific hatchery that will occur on my head for their glorious return. Remember kiddies, those things mate like a wildebeast and a rhino on a thursday, don’t be the next to allow them to mate on your head!!!———————————-The life of a cicada:
1) Hatch
2) Mate
3) Eat
4) Mate
5) Shed Shell
6) Mate
7) Die (while mating) Jon, NY
AAAHHHHH!!!!
Date: Thursday, Apr/15/2004
I am completely terrified of bugs…. Any and Every type of insect especially ones that Fly!!! I am 21 years old and spent my life in Northern Pennsylvania. I don’t remember anything like this and my parents do not recall any type of insect of this sort. I really dont know how I am going to deal with these THINGS!!!!!!!!! What am I going to do? Staying inside for a month is starting to sound like a good option!!! Mandie, Maryland
It’s about time!
Date: Thursday, Apr/15/2004
I have been looking forward to this for a long time. Each summer for years I have said, “Isn’t it about time for the 17 year cicadas again?”. It is finally here and I am so excited to be able to share it with my two children. Dona, Bethesda, Maryland
Re: I AM SCARED
Date: Thursday, Apr/15/2004
Erica,
If you are really that scared of the bugs maybe you can take a few weeks vacation at the end of May & stay inside to miss the onslaught or if your work has a third shift you could temporarily change shifts to miss all the buzz so to speak. But why would anybody want to miss the invasion? Cicadas are great!
Roy T., Batavia, OH
I AM SCARED
Date: Wednesday, Apr/14/2004
I am from Niagara Falls, NY and we just dont have these bugs ! I am terribly frightened and afraid.. i know i will either get into a terrible car accident or lose my job because i cannot leave the house! i am serious. someone please help me. what can i do? will they fly into my car as i put my baby in her car seat? help! Erica, Baltimore
TO KENDRA
Date: Wednesday, Apr/14/2004
Kendra…scroll down in these messages and find the one where I put those links to Cicada research. It will give you all the info you need. I have never heard of them flying in peoples hair, and I don’t think they get in your house. When they come up out of the ground, the climb the first vertical thing they see, and after that, they usually stick to the trees. The males die right after mating and the female is only set on laying her eggs in the branches of the trees. They DO NOT bite, so you shouldn’t be scared of them.
Hope this helps.
~Nikki~ Nikki, SW Ohio
do they fly in your hair
Date: Wednesday, Apr/14/2004
I heard that cicada’s fly in your hair, and that when you are walking you are going to step on them. I am 17 and I have never seen these bugs before. I am a little scared because I don’t know what to expect and I don’t like bugs.I would also like to know if they get in your house. kendra, upper marlboro MD
AH!!! AH!! AH!!
Date: Wednesday, Apr/14/2004
AH!!! AH!!! AH!!!!!!!! rini, phila pa
Cicada Research
Date: Wednesday, Apr/14/2004
Here is a helpful website. Cicadas due to emerge May 17th, go away end of June. Go here and get all the info you need.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/03/0329_040329_cicadas.html
and here is the map of where they are expected to emerge.
http://aolsvc.aol.com/research/cicada/cicada_map.htm
Enjoy them, they won’t be around too long. And their music is kinda romantic for picnics under the stars 🙂
~Nikki~ Nikki, SW Ohio
Yet another wedding…
Date: Wednesday, Apr/14/2004
Hi. Our outdoor wedding is planned for May 16th in Wheaton, MD. Any helpful tips????? Jessica Feierman, Wheaton, Maryland
Distraction
Date: Wednesday, Apr/14/2004
What are you stitching and toxic mold people doing on a cicada site? Or… are you really periodical cicadas trying to distract people so you don’t get CICADANATED? Droopy, Brush Creek Township
Gallery of finished cross stitch & needlepointing pieces
Date: Tuesday, Apr/13/2004
I found great stitching service on http://www.xstitched.com . They have really big gallery of finished pieces.
Have a look… Slavica, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Fungi / mold pictures
Date: Tuesday, Apr/13/2004
I found great toxic mold pictures on http://www.moldremoval.com . I had something similar in my house… Jenny Jenny, La Crescenta, CA, USA
Re: Coming to an area near me??
Date: Tuesday, Apr/13/2004
Teresa,
Yes, it looks like from the map that you will see an emergece this year down in Lexington. Ask some neighbors that lived in the area back in ’87 how heavy the emergence was. That is the best way to know for sure.Thx,
Roy Roy T, Batavia, OH
RE: Wedding planned for AshLawn in Charlottesville May 8
Date: Tuesday, Apr/13/2004
Rebecca,
From the Brood X map it looks like you are on the southern fringe of the emergence & you will probably miss the emergence by a week or two if the wedding is on May 8th. Your best bet is to ask locals that lived in the area in 1987. They could tell you how heavy the emergence was at the time.Hope this helps,
Roy T. Roy T, Batavia, OH
Replies / Question
Date: Monday, Apr/12/2004
I remember 17 years ago in the Baltimore area. It wasn’t unbearable. They were certainly everywhere but unless you were in the woods, you could avoid them. I also went to Ocean City that summer. Cicadas were no where to be found on the beach. (not enough trees and too much sand) However, does anyone know when they are expected to emerge? I have an outdoor party planned for May 1st (and now that I am an adult), I own a house with a few trees in the yard and I am trying to decide if I should just plan the thing for indoors….. Stacey, Bel Air, MD (north of Baltimore)
brood X on Eastern Shore, md
Date: Monday, Apr/12/2004
does anyone out there live in
Dorchester County, on the eastern
shore of Maryland? and if so, will
Brood X be visiting you the same as
the rest of Maryland? I’ve heard it’s
less concentrated on the shore.
thanks cheryl, hoopers island, Md
Early Risers
Date: Monday, Apr/12/2004
I saw two cicadas Saturday in my backyard. Newly out of the ground. It would have to be my yard they came up in first. In the billions, here they come! Nikki, Hamilton, Ohio
Terrified California Girl
Date: Sunday, Apr/11/2004
I am leaving town as soon as they hit; as ridiculous as it sounds this seems like the only alternative for someone who has an extreme phobia of all insects. Back to California I go. Would anyone like to charter a cicada flight? Laura, Baltimore, MD
Coming to an area near me??
Date: Sunday, Apr/11/2004
Hi all! (guess it should be y’all now) I was a sophom*ore at Withrow when the last invasion occurred in the Tri-state. After leaving Cinci for our military, I had long forgotten about these flying nuisances. This site lists Kentucky as being one of the invasion areas this year. Was the Lexington area invaded as well in 1987? Bugs don’t bother me too much, but these buzzing things get annoying! I seem to recall tons of female students screaming at the sight of them, that was hilarious to watch!
Just wondered if they’ll invade our area. Thanks in advance!
Teresa, Lexington, Ky
HELP !!!
Date: Saturday, Apr/10/2004
17 YEARS AGO WHEN THESE CREATURES INVADED I WAS PREGNANT WITH MY 1ST SON. HOW I SURVIVED, NOT A CLUE . 17 YEARS & 3 SONS LATER, I AM FREAKING OUT ABOUT THESE CREATURES REVISITING ! THERESA, HUNT VALLEY, MD
Wedding planned for AshLawn in Charlottesville May 8
Date: Saturday, Apr/10/2004
Can you tell me if Charlottesville is
in one of the main areas where we will
have a lot of cicadas and are we early
enough in May to miss them? Respond to JLFleck [AT] erols.com Rebecca Fleck, Charlottesville Virginia
Deb, please get your facts straight…
Date: Saturday, Apr/10/2004
Deb, the Eastern Cicada Killer is a native species and was not introduced 17 years ago from Aisa. Its main food is the large annual cicada species that come out every year, not periodical cicadas. I couldn’t find any reference to 2700 people being killed by Cicada Killers. I believe you may be thinking of the introduced European Hornet which has nothing to do with cicadas. John Z, Maryland
Fundraising in Columbia MD despite Brood X
Date: Friday, Apr/9/2004
Brian, I understand periodical cicadas only drown out Republicans. As long as your fundraiser isn’t Republican you’re safe. Everybody: the paper I write for is having a cicada recipe contest. Got any good ones? Can you point me to any good sites?Al Al McKegg, West Friendship
You think the cicada’s are bad?
Date: Friday, Apr/9/2004
Beware, though..17 years ago, an insect called the cicada killer (a large wasplike insect)was imported from Asia to deal with the infestation. When the cicada food supply triggered the mating cycle of the cicada killer, the “fix” grossly outweighed the problem. 2700 people were painfully killed by the cicada killer’s venom. Deb Eichenberger, Harrisburg
Cicada infestation
Date: Friday, Apr/9/2004
I’ve lived through this before. It is the most horrible experience you will ever live through. If anyone offers you any method to lessen the impact…take it. You have been warned. TB, Pennsylvania
Cicada Shirt
Date: Friday, Apr/9/2004
I found the site and bought a shirt as well.. are the cities on the other shirt going to get hit bad? Erin, Indiana
Cicada’s in Ocean City
Date: Thursday, Apr/8/2004
I am planning a trip to Ocean City Memorial Day weekend. Does anyone know how bad they are out there? and if they gravitate to water? I would appreciate the feedback. Simone, Baltimore, Maryland
Yuck
Date: Thursday, Apr/8/2004
The last time these insects were here,I was waiting for a bus on Harrison Avenue in Westwood, and one of the darned things flew up at me and got stuck between my eyes and my glasses. I was standing on the street totally freaking out, trying to get the thing off me and people were looking at me like I was nuts (probably a valid assumption). I’m 17 years older and wiser now but I am NOT looking forward to another Cicada invasion. Thankfully I no longer have to wait for a bus! 🙂 Liz, St. Bernard, Ohio
Pinkie
Date: Thursday, Apr/8/2004
To answer your question, yes. Hope I’ve been helpful. Rachelle, Flatland, OH
Re: Brood X in westchester?
Date: Thursday, Apr/8/2004
Jasper,
According to the brood map you live just north of the northern fringe of the Broox X emergence in the eastern coastal states. You may want to ask neighbors who have lived in your area for more than 17 years if they remember seeing any in 1987. hope this helps,
Roy T Roy T, Batavia, OH
cicada cuisine
Date: Wednesday, Apr/7/2004
Dear Chrystal Moonshine and others:
I’m a Washington Post reporter looking for recipes and any and all tales of cicada consumption. Pls email me at cicadawatch [AT] yahoo.com and bon appetit!
Cameron Barr, Washington, DC
CICADA GEAR
Date: Wednesday, Apr/7/2004
I just bought a shirt from WWW.CINCYCICADA.COM it is so funny. Check them out. The one I got reads..” CICADA Your Low Carb Alternative”
Many laughs from that one… Bill, Ohio
Brood X in westchester?
Date: Wednesday, Apr/7/2004
I was just wondering if this year’s 2004 brood x will be emerging in or around rye or westchester? Does anybody know a good place to see them? Jasper, rye,ny
NETTING to stop Cicadas
Date: Wednesday, Apr/7/2004
try the netting from this company! It really works! (Also has bird repellent products).http://birdbgone.com/ultranet.htm Anette, United States of America
Fear Not Billy!
Date: Tuesday, Apr/6/2004
Cicadas are the salt of the earth. If it helps I have a couple good recipes. Don’t fear the reaper!! Chrystal Moonshine, Haverford, North Carolina
I’m too young to die!!
Date: Tuesday, Apr/6/2004
I was hardly born when the last attack occured, but I do remember waking up with bugs everywhere. My parents were from New York and we slept with all the windows open. Needless to say I now understand the term “bed bugs.” I’m terrified to leave my house out of fear that they’ll rise early. I know it’s only April, but I’m already wearing my bee keeper suit everywhere. Forget about going swimming because those two-inchers will devour us all. I’m paralyzed with fear…I’m too young to die!!!! Billy Hughes, Bel Air, Maryland
CICADA GEAR
Date: Tuesday, Apr/6/2004
GET YOUR CICADA GEAR ONLINE [AT] www.cincycicada.com
DON’T WAIT ANOTHER 17 YEARS GET YOUR GEAR NOW!!!!! Dave, CINCINNATI, Ohio
To Rhodri Overseas
Date: Tuesday, Apr/6/2004
So you were in my class, huh? And who might you be? I can’t imagine anyone would want to make a special trip from “overseas” just to see “C-Cader” (husband’s new nickname for the wretched creatures)wreak havoc on the city. To each his own, I guess. If you happen to have a change of heart (about traveling), I’m sure my husband would be happy to ship you a few; God knows I won’t be going to the post office! I can’t promise the lil’ suckers will still be buzzing, but they will be anatomically intact. Just a thought. Lisa, Ft. Thomas, KY
Don’t worry Suzie, Loveland will have a “light” outbreak!
Date: Monday, Apr/5/2004
This message is for Suzie. I lived in Loveland for 28 years & I remember we had a light outbreak in 1987. I expect this year will be about the same. Really nothing to worry about. Anywhere WEST of Interstate 75 is where the heavier emergence will be located. I feel sorry for any bikers traveling on the roads during the last week of May till the second week of June. lol Roy T, Batavia, OH
Brood X Cicada
Date: Monday, Apr/5/2004
Does anyone know if this awful 17 year Group of Cicadas will be seen in Paymyra, Virginia. It’s a town about 50 miles west of Richmond Virgina. I’m new to the area.ThanksDenise Denise, Palmyra, Virginia
Cicada happenings
Date: Sunday, Apr/4/2004
I am an editor at a travel magazine, and am working on a piece about cicada events this summer, when the bugs are expected to storm the East Coast. Please e-mail me if you know of any festivals that will, at least, have cicada-related activities, food, etc. My address is hmorgan [AT] ngs.com. Many thanks. Heather, Washington, DC
Cicadas
Date: Sunday, Apr/4/2004
Can anyone tell me how boad it was here 17 years ago?? Willl they swarm only between May and June or do we have the swarming all summer??
I don’t know these critters, I am from germany. cornelia heckenbach, St.Michaels Maryland,Eastern Shore
HELP! New to Loveland Ohio
Date: Saturday, Apr/3/2004
I am new to Ohio and somewhat of a bug phobe…. I am freaking about this cicada invasion… how do you know if they are to be in your exact area????? I have been told that the Hot Spot is west of 71, but I am sure that they can come East of 71 too… HELP! Suzie, Loveland Ohio
netting
Date: Saturday, Apr/3/2004
anyone know where I can buy some 1/4″ nylon netting to cover up some of my trees? daryl, blanchester, oh
What’s in store…
Date: Saturday, Apr/3/2004
I live in Oxford OH and work in Hamilton OH…Not sure what to expect…I know Cincinnati is a target for mass quantity but was curious how being a little north/west would be effected….Anyone know??? Excitable, Butler County OH
Will Cicadas Be A Large Problem for Fundraising Run on June 13th in Maryland?
Date: Saturday, Apr/3/2004
We have been organizing a 5K run/walk fundraiser for June 13, 2004 in Maryland. I never considered the Cicadas. Ofcourse we are having in a dense park around a lake. I am hoping from I read that by June 13th it should be winding down. Is this correct? To boot, we are planning a huge picnic in this park to follow the event. Brian, Columbia, Maryland, USA
BEEKEEPER OUTFITS
Date: Friday, Apr/2/2004
I WOULD LIKE TO GET A BEEKEEPER OUTFIT, ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN PURCHASE ONE. ANGIE, CINCINNATI, OHIO
BEEKEEPER OUTFITS
Date: Friday, Apr/2/2004
I WOULD LIKE TO GET A BEEKEEPER OUTFIT, ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN PURCHASE ONE. ANGIE, CINCINNATI, OHIO
Cicada coming out to play
Date: Thursday, Apr/1/2004
This cicadamania site rules! also check me out at www.cicada2004.com soon!! Joe the Cicada, midwest
favorite
Date: Thursday, Apr/1/2004
About a dozen years ago I was visiting a friend in San Antonio, who is in the moving business. It was break time so the labor crew of Vietnamese came around under the shade of some Arizona Ash trees. Cicadas were thick in the trees. The noise was so loud it was hard to talk. The Vietnamese slipped off their sandals scampered up the trees and caught dozens of cicadas. Then they ate them. I guess they are the cream filled crunchy kind. Don Ainsworth, Houston, TX
Toads that sound like Cicadas
Date: Thursday, Apr/1/2004
At least two speices of toads sound similar to the “Decim” species of periodical cicada. The American Toad that sings in early spring (now in mid latitudes) sounds like Decim when there are large concentrations in the distance. The Fowler’s Toad that sings in late spring sounds like individual Decim up closer. Main difference is the toads don’t have a drop in pitch at the end of a call the way the cicadas do.
Eric, Missouri
Relatives
Date: Thursday, Apr/1/2004
I have been living in PG County for 35 years. Get ready people. If you don’t like bugs this is not the place for you. These beatles are known to be enduring. While they don’t live long they definitely leave an everlasting impression. Once you here their mating call you will never forget it. Swarmmming is not uncommon during their presence. Many people have been known to shout “Help” John Secada, PG County
upcoming invasion in cinti
Date: Thursday, Apr/1/2004
Seventeen years ago I resided in the Queen City and I remember them being pretty thick while attending the Taste which runs Memorial Day weekend. Anyone remember “Snappy Cicada Pizza”?
A buddy of mine who lives there said the latest projected peak is around May 17-20.
joebob59, S.E. PA
Comments (0)
August 30, 2002
Cicada Comments from August 2002
Filed under: — Dan @ 10:29 am
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 basem*nt, 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 basem*nt 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
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