Chances are, if you’re anywhere on Earth right now, you’ve heard something about the concurrent emergence of two broods (XIII and XIX) of periodical cicadas. Entomologists suggest their numbers will be in the trillions but not to worry, it’s not like a biblical plague of locusts. Cicadas are essentially harmless.
This year’s emergence is a rare event, on a scale that hasn’t happened since 1803, and it has inspired a lot of citizen science and non-stop media coverage. There’s an update about new sightings every day. I wasn’t thinking of the bugs when I planned a trip to northeast Georgia last weekend but there was no avoiding them. They were on the ground, on historic markers and graves, and on trees and telephone poles.
The Elbert County cicadas are part of the Great Southern Brood, which according to the National Museum of Natural History has a 13-year life cycle, though the adults only live a few weeks. Most of their lives are spent underground feeding on tree roots and sap. The great thing to me about this phenomenon was being able to see the nymphs emerging while also seeing adults. Fascinating.
The last outbreak (if that’s the correct term) was about a decade ago, in the N E mountains. We lived in Trackrock at the time. The sound these critters make is unforgettable – a cross between a power saw and a jet turbine.
I have a few pictures of the original stained glass in the Methodist Church in Wadley, GA if you would like them. My 2nd g- grandfather was Jordan W Calhoun and was named in one of the windows. They replaced the originals some years ago.
That’s wonderful. Please share via my email.
Whatever you do, don’t turn on power tools. It must make a sound like a mating call. The last time around, I was cutting bricks to size to restore our back sidewalk. th ey covered me up, so i quit and returned the saw to Home Depot until the “plague of the locusts” as over.
Carol N
Brian, when I was at NGC in Dahlonega in 1951-53, They were everywhere, noisy. Jim