So, Anyone Seen Any Cicadas Yet?

[THUNDER HANDS]

Out here on Long Island it feels like the calm before the storm. I haven't seen any holes in the ground yet, or any buzzing noises from the trees.

But you know it's coming...

Which is kinda eerie and frightening and also kinda cool in a way.

When I was down in Maryland they were infesting the entire place. Piles upon piles of carcasses were next to doorways. It was just disgusting.

How's things near your neck of the woods, wherever that is?

[WillParkinson]

1. None in Milwaukee...and I'm bummed!

I've always wanted to see one up close.

[Angelus]

2. I haven't seen one here in Minnesota yet.

What do they look like?

[THUNDER HANDS]

6. ugly bugs

About an inch long, wings. They come out of a brown shell that's left on trees or any vertical wooden surface like a wall or something.

They're uuuugly...but harmless because they have no mouths.

[soothsayer]

10. 5 inches long with scary red eyes and huge, gnashing teeth!

Ok, they're only a couple of inches long, and they don't have huge, gnashing teeth---just tiny, piercing fangs! Ok, ok, no teeth at all.

But pretty red eyes.

I tried not to hurt any of them (mowing the lawn and whatnot) cuz it's so poignant, thinking of them growing, growing, growing under the ground for 17 years, feeding off of plant juices and whatnot. Old enough to drive, but not old enuff to drink.... (don't drink and drive, those of you who are old enuff for both).

They're cute, but they land on you or crawl on your foot and freak you out.

[Angelus]

12. Really?

I'd squish one if I saw one. I heard they're supposed to be numerous this year. :shrug:

[soothsayer]

14. You can't help but squish 'em accidentally, but don't do it on purpose!

They're not harmful (they don't bite, they don't eat leaves) in fact, they're good (they aerate and fertilize the soil), and jeez, they're 17 years old and just looking for love.

I found myself rootin' fer the little buggers.

[wysimdnwyg]

3. None in Nashville

I don't really mind them, but I'd just as soon not have to worry about my dog eating them.

[dedhed]

4. None in SE Pennsy

I'm right outside of Philadelphia, and I haven't seen one yet. I look around every night for holes, or for those gross little shells they leave clinging to trees... nada. A little disappointing with all of the recent fuss.

:bounce:

[soothsayer]

5. In my neighborhood (Arlington, VA) they're nearly gone

We've had 'em for weeks. A few miles away from here in a different Arlington neighborhood, they're just at their peak. I'm sure they're coming, so stay tuned....!

[Mr.Green93]

7. Beaucoup here in NKy.

[yellowcanine]

8. Been there, done that in central Maryland. Almost finished now and having

finished emerging, molting, singing, mating, and egg laying, the great dieing is underway. None too soon, either. They were starting to get a little annoying. But my dog's coat is nice and glossy after he pigged out on them until they made him sick. Now he ignores them.

[cosmokramer]

9. Southwest Ohio--THEY ARE EVERYWHERE!

My son threw a baseball into the top of our giant maple, and the swarm of cicades was like hail!

[UrbScotty]

11. Not here in West Michigan!

:-)

[Bozita]

13. SE Michigan cicadas drowned in the Great Flood of '04

Soil temperature is supposed to be the trigger for their emergence.

[SaveElmer]

15. DC Area...they are everywhere

My dogs eat them like pop corn!

[bif]

16. None in Southeastern Michigan

Not yet anyway.

[Commendatori]

17. A ton of them here in DC (n/t)

[Kid_A]

18. They're swarming over Indiana like something out of the Bible!

The novetly of these little bastards has worn off for me. This morning on the way to work, one of them flew into my open window and hit me in the face. They're so damn loud I can't enjoy my backyard and they wake me up every damn morning. Sure they're cool, and their life cycle is amazing, but dammit they piss me off.

[doc03]

19. We had them here in 1999, I hope I'm here when they come back

I'll be 68.

[CBHagman]

20. They are all over the sidewalk, and occasionally on passers-by.

I was standing next to a man at an intersection in D.C. last Friday and noticed he had a cicada sitting on his shoulder. Yes, I did tip him off and he sent it packing.

As far as the noise is concerned, I haven't noticed it lately.