Brood X

[The Cincinnati Kid]

Well, one of natures odd miracles is about to hit sunny Cincinnati and the surrounding area. The return of Brood X.
17 yrs ago these critters last swarmed. There are billions of them and they stick around about six weeks. They breed, the adult females lay eggs then the males and females die, the eggs turn to larvae and burrow into the soil where they hang out about 2ft down waiting patiently. Then, 17 yrs later they emerge, breed, lay eggs and die again. The cycle repeats every 17 yrs. They are pretty large, about 3-4 inches long a bit like a big fat cricket. They are noisy as heck, 1 ciccada = maybe 10 crickets.
Fortunately they dont bite or sting but it can be a bit unnerving when giant insects land on you all the time. They really like noise and dark colors so leave yer black tee shirts at home and if yer in the landscape / grass cutting business....its going to be a tough 6 weeks. ..0
Just waiting for the soil temp to hit 64F then it begins. Got me a badminton racquet for a swatter.
Look at them big ugly red eyes staring at you too.

ciccada.jpg (8.71 KiB) Viewed 1404 times

[Sam_Brown]

They breed, the adult females lay eggs then the males and females die, the eggs turn to larvae and burrow into the soil where they hang out about 2ft down waiting patiently. Then, 17 yrs later they emerge, breed, lay eggs and die again.

You've met my ex it seems .

[Selsey Bill]

Well, one of natures odd miracles is about to hit sunny Cincinnati and the surrounding area. The return of Brood X.
17 yrs ago these critters last swarmed. There are billions of them and they stick around about six weeks. They breed, the adult females lay eggs then the males and females die, the eggs turn to larvae and burrow into the soil where they hang out about 2ft down waiting patiently. Then, 17 yrs later they emerge, breed, lay eggs and die again. The cycle repeats every 17 yrs. They are pretty large, about 3-4 inches long a bit like a big fat cricket. They are noisy as heck, 1 ciccada = maybe 10 crickets.
Fortunately they dont bite or sting but it can be a bit unnerving when giant insects land on you all the time. They really like noise and dark colors so leave yer black tee shirts at home and if yer in the landscape / grass cutting business....its going to be a tough 6 weeks. ..0
Just waiting for the soil temp to hit 64F then it begins. Got me a badminton racquet for a swatter.
Look at them big ugly red eyes staring at you too.

ciccada.jpg

As a bit of a nature boy I enjoyed that, thank you for sharing

[Rick Pumpkin]

How weird - I'd never heard of these and just 30 minutes ago I was reading a commercial pilot forum and there's mention of these things on there as a warning to crews flying into multiple states in the US. They don't pose a threat as you say, but do freak out pilots who have never experienced the swarms at just above ground level. Apparently being spooked on finals isn't good for a pilot - who'd have known

[The Cincinnati Kid]

How weird - I'd never heard of these and just 30 minutes ago I was reading a commercial pilot forum and there's mention of these things on there as a warning to crews flying into multiple states in the US. They don't pose a threat as you say, but do freak out pilots who have never experienced the swarms at just above ground level. Apparently being spooked on finals isn't good for a pilot - who'd have known

If you run into them on the interstate, yer windshield will quickly become spattered with cicada guts so I can imagine that would be an issue for small aircraft coming into land or take off.

Apparently they're good deep fried and / or covered in chocolate. yuk....Id rather eat Brussel sprouts coated in dog poo

[Rick Pumpkin]

Apparently they're good deep fried and / or covered in chocolate. yuk....Id rather eat Brussel sprouts coated in dog poo

Deep fried cicadas reminded me of fries, but that's the extent of my insect cuisine sampling. And I'm in no hurry to ever try them again.