Cicadas

[Zanagodly]

Looks like these things have started to pop up in the kentucky and DC area. I've always had a slight lingering interest as it is one of the mysteries of nature that these critters possess such a strange instinct to behave in the way they do. Here's a good link that shows where they are popping up so far, and gives you the opportunity to report an emergence in your area. Also has an informative FAQ page.

http://www.msj.edu/cicada/

[Betheny]

i saw a bunch the other day, haven't heard them yet though.

[Snapp]

I saw a few yesterday finally. I'm gonna get out the frying pan and start cooking those bad boys. :lol2:

[Parkbandit]

"What do they taste like?
Periodical cicadas are best eaten when they are still white (teneral), and they taste like cold canned asparagus. Like all insects, cicadas have a good balance of vitamins, are low in fat, and the females are especially high in protein. They are also Atkins friendly!"

Um.. gross.

[Wezas]

I should take a picture of my deck and around a few trees in my yard.

Around here they're friggin everywhere.

[killjoymp]

I have only seen a few here in Northern Va.

[Vestarr]

None in central jersey yet ..but im sure they will get here soon....yay <~~~sarcasm

[Wezas]

Originally posted by killjoymp
I have only seen a few here in Northern Va.

You must be lucky, because in Fairfax (and where I work in Arlington) they're all over the ground, most of them dead or just the shells. Also, the noise they make together is deafening.

[AnticorRifling]

Reminds me of the movie a bug's life when the grasshoppers are flyin in to whoop ass and all you hear is that noise.

[DianaBanana]

Originally posted by Vestarr
None in central jersey yet ..but im sure they will get here soon....yay <~~~sarcasm

Yeah I'm in nothern Jersey and I still havent seen any. I'm anxiously awaiting the ugly things.

[Weedmage Princess]

Eww he likes Cicadas!

[Wezas]

Originally posted by Weedmage Princess
Eww he likes Cicadas!

You should like them by now, this being your what, 4th, 5th time seeing them?

[killjoymp]

You must be lucky, because in Fairfax (and where I work in Arlington) they're all over the ground, most of them dead or just the shells. Also, the noise they make together is deafening. [/quote]

Well I live and work at Ft Belvoir and none here that I have seen

[Stacey]

I have a freakin Cicada outfit and hat so they don't touch my skin or hair. Those things are everywhere mating around you. My mother entered her house in a contest for the person with the most Cicada's on their property here in Cincinnati.
I can't wait until June 2nd to get to Simucon and away from these horny beast mating all over the place.

Stacey

[HarmNone]

Awww. Poor things. Look at it this way, Stacy...

When you only get to do it every seventeen years, it's a little difficult to maintain dignity, eh? :D

HarmNone, givin' the bugs a break

[Weedmage Princess]

Uhm, how far Northeast are they spreading? In particular, are they coming up to Mass?

[Artha]

They are when the FedEx package arrives...

[Weedmage Princess]

DAMN YOU ARTHA :grr:

[Edited on 5-22-2004 by Weedmage Princess]

[Atlanteax]

Originally posted by HarmNone
Awww. Poor things. Look at it this way, Stacy...

When you only get to do it every seventeen years, it's a little difficult to maintain dignity, eh? :D

HarmNone, givin' the bugs a break

They mate... then they die.

The female will drop dead after laying the eggs. The male, after intercourse, I believe.

In that regard, I'm not sure what's the purpose of this species... :?:

[Snapp]

I'm not sure we know the purpose of any species really. ;) But anyway, the whole concept of coming out of the ground every 17 years, mating, and dying is pretty crazy. I can't wait til they come here (though I'll probably regret that later).

[HarmNone]

There might be something to be said for mating, then dying. Sure cuts out a lot of the problems we all encounter on a daily basis, eh? ;)

HarmNone, pondering the mysteries of insects

[Atlanteax]

Originally posted by Snapp
I'm not sure we know the purpose of any species really. ;) But anyway, the whole concept of coming out of the ground every 17 years, mating, and dying is pretty crazy. I can't wait til they come here (though I'll probably regret that later).

Well, there are annual cicadas.

Apparently they're "smarter" than the 17 years ones, and are more aware of predators.

The "dumber" 17yrs will remain still on tree branches/etc, even if a predator comes up and rattles the branch, thus making easy prey. However, their strategy is safety in numbers (hence the SWARMS) to survive and procreate for the future.

.

If only moronic humans could restrain their mating habits to once every 17yrs years... I reckon that the world could be a better place! :lol:

[GSLeloo]

I figure they'll be good target practice for my kitten. Our original cat used to eat them. Felix is already doing a good job on the moths, maybe he can take on a cicada.

[GSLeloo]

And actaully we were just discussing today in Bio that humans are the only species that take care of their young for 18 years. The majority take care of them for a few months and then that's it.

[Zanagodly]

Whats the purpose of any species really? I do know that they turn a lot of soil and thus fruit and vegetables are of great quality in the summer after the cicadas come up.

[HarmNone]

Wow, Zana. I didn't know that the coming of the cicadas brought better fruits and vegetables. Neat to learn! Thanks for sharing. :)

HarmNone

[Latrinsorm]

Originally posted by Zanagodly
Whats the purpose of any species really?People: Love, multiply, fill and subdue the earth. Domination.

Everything else: Be eaten by us, look cool, or taste the flame.

[Atlanteax]

Originally posted by HarmNone
Wow, Zana. I didn't know that the coming of the cicadas brought better fruits and vegetables. Neat to learn! Thanks for sharing. :)

HarmNone

Apparently it's from churning the soil as they come up from near the roots of trees...

... basically the same principle why farmers rotate the soil of their fields so that air can get in.

[HarmNone]

That's really cool! I'm tempted to go out and plant something delicious, then hope for cicadas. ;)

HarmNone loves fresh veggies

[Atlanteax]

Originally posted by HarmNone
That's really cool! I'm tempted to go out and plant something delicious, then hope for cicadas. ;)

HarmNone loves fresh veggies

You're nuts!!! :nutty:

Why not just get a spade and till the soil some if you want fresh veggies?

A few hours of labor is probably worth it compared to dealing with a locust-like swarm infesting your backyard.

[HarmNone]

But, Zana said the veggies are BETTER after the cicadas come. Cicadas > spade! :D

HarmNone, who doesn't know one end of a spade from the other

[Snapp]

Don't cicada's eat plants/veggies? (I really don't know, not trying to be a smart ass)

[HarmNone]

I think they eat sap, Snapp. At least, that's what the website said. :?:

HarmNone