Attack of the big noisy bugs

Out of the Frying Pan posted a link to Kill a Rat, and 100 other things to do this year:

17 Go and see the locusts. 2004 is the year that the 17-year locust emerges across the United States. Millions of them – they’re actually a type of cicada – will make a loud, creepy buzzing sound all summer, breed, and then disappear for another 17 years.

I left Virginia, a beautiful state, seven years ago. Approximately a decade prior to that, as I was sweeping cicada husks several inches deep off my front stoop so that we could walk out of our house without crunching, I remarked to my husband that if we were going to move, it might be nice to do it before the next brood uprising.

I can’t tell you how happy I am to be in Colorado.

5 Comments

Patricia Tryon 1 Jan 2004 at 19.26

Oh! I missed that one! Must be my enthusiasm for rat killing… ;-) But it _is_ a pretty good reason to be in Colorado, all things considered.

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Anonymous 8 May 2004 at 19.32

I was told that this cicada ate all the green vegetation it could find. Is this true?

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Anonymous 8 May 2004 at 19.34

I hope the above info is correct and that this particular bug does not devour all the green vegetation it can find. I have been rather spooked by the thought.

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Katja 1 Jan 2004 at 19.38

Yeah! Check it out: Cicadas, Quick Facts

Periodical cicadas, Magicicada species, such as the 17-year and 13-year “locusts,” are the longest-lived cicadas. They emerge during synchronized periods, often in spectacular numbers, every 17th or 13th year, respectively. Periodical cicadas are largely restricted to areas east of the Mississippi River and do not occur in Colorado.

I love the Colorado extension service.

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Katja 8 May 2004 at 20.02

General deforestation was not the rule the last time round – I think most greenery is safe.

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