This blog (my first nature post) was inspired by an email I got from Eric's mom the other day to tell me about the recent arrival of the cicadas in Huntington. Though I had heard of cicadas before, I didn't really know that much about them. Anyway, Nita's description of these creatures fascinated me. She described them as something out of a horror movie - 3 inch long insects with red eyes that bury underground and only emerge every 17 years! So me being the inquisitive person that I am immediately googled them, and she was absolutely right! Above is a photo of said cicada. Red beady eyes, as described by Nita. Notice also the strange horror film-like deadpan expression.
I'm not an insectophobe. Well, not really. But there is something about seeing swarms of insects that gets my skin crawling (have a look at the above photo and see if it doesn't do the same to you). Apparently these cicadas don't bite or sting. They do however make quite a racket, a kind of relentless high-pitched noise, and they tend to wreck trees and shrubs where they bury their eggs. They will hatch and then fall to the ground before burying underground. And then they'll stay there for another 17 years. Fascinating eh? I think worst of all is that there are so many of them - millions apparently so that they get into everything. One tried to ambush Nita the other day by hiding in her washing. The coward! Anyway, this is an invite to my American family to post your favourite cicada stories in the comments section. The more horror film-like the better! Speaking of which check out the molting cicada below!
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This blog (my first nature post) was inspired by an email I got from Eric's mom the other day to tell me about the recent arrival of the cicadas in Huntington. Though I had heard of cicadas before, I didn't really know that much about them. Anyway, Nita's description of these creatures fascinated me. She described them as something out of a horror movie - 3 inch long insects with red eyes that bury underground and only emerge every 17 years! So me being the inquisitive person that I am immediately googled them, and she was absolutely right! Above is a photo of said cicada. Red beady eyes, as described by Nita. Notice also the strange horror film-like deadpan expression.
I'm not an insectophobe. Well, not really. But there is something about seeing swarms of insects that gets my skin crawling (have a look at the above photo and see if it doesn't do the same to you). Apparently these cicadas don't bite or sting. They do however make quite a racket, a kind of relentless high-pitched noise, and they tend to wreck trees and shrubs where they bury their eggs. They will hatch and then fall to the ground before burying underground. And then they'll stay there for another 17 years. Fascinating eh? I think worst of all is that there are so many of them - millions apparently so that they get into everything. One tried to ambush Nita the other day by hiding in her washing. The coward! Anyway, this is an invite to my American family to post your favourite cicada stories in the comments section. The more horror film-like the better! Speaking of which check out the molting cicada below!
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10 comments:
luckily I'll be 75 yrs old (in my grave) the next time they show up.
it's been a deafening 3-4 weeks
peace, love and butt ugly insects
oh yeah, the couple of million exoskeletons they leave behind are a sight also
peace, love & ugly sons-of-bitches
the ben
While driving one day, I felt one that had crawled up my pants leg. I had to kind of squash it while driving and continue with bug gus in my jeans until I got home. You can't understand how loud they are unless you hear them for yourself--especially for folks like Sally and me who live out in the country. They are almost gone now. It was really interesting to see and hear the process of their life cycle. Therese
There was an article the other day about how dogs will eat so cicadas that they get sick. The writer compared it to how humans would act if chocolate candies fell from the sky.
I remember really hearing them for the first time after getting my first hearing aids (having been hard-of-hearing all my life). I ran inside and told Jami she had to hear this. That the cicadas were going crazy. She laughed and told me they always sounded that way.
We aren't having the cicadas problem in Virginia. It happened here a few years ago. I guess the 17 year hatching happens in different years depending on where you live. I had a problem with stink bugs in my house. They are called stink bugs because they stink when you squish them. I don't know how they get in the house. They are about an inch wide and fly near light bulbs. They are harmless and don't make noises like cicadas do.
Ceci
the sweet sound of silence !
the onslaught is over.
they've returned to their crypts for another 17yrs
peace, love & retreating swarms
the ben
Was just talking to our friend Youyou from China who says that cicadas are delicious fried. They are only eaten in the grub state - this is when they are "most delicious" she says. When fried they are crispy on the outside and yellow and creamy like egg in the inside! Somehow I can't imagine this ever ending up on the menu at Nita and Henry's house. Though Eric says he would be happy to try it.
K
oh yeah, a little soy sauce . . .
you won't find it on ben & sally's menu either.
peace love and a grubless diet
the ben
meister joe tells a good story about a film he saw on the nature channel
they show a racoon eating cicada's
actually, non-stop eating due to the biblical proportions of the swarm
well he finally had had enough.
showed his eyes getting blurry and finally throwing one away
joe's description of his face was to die for.
the ben
Please write another blog entry...so I don't have to look at that molting thing every time I check your blog!
Paddy loves it, though.
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