Thread: Invasion of the Cicadas!!!

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It's time for the 13 year cicada invasion here in Tennessee. I've been seeing a couple here and there, so tonight I decided to go out after dark with a flashlight. The things were everywhere!!! The nymphs were crawling all over the ground, up the tree trunks..I looked up and saw hundreds of them hanging from the undersides of branches and leaves, all in various stages of molting. I even had one or two trying to climb up my legs.

Pretty cool stuff. Felt like I was on Wild Kingdom...

Originally Posted by mikentn

It's time for the 13 year cicada invasion here in Tennessee. I've been seeing a couple here and there, so tonight I decided to go out after dark with a flashlight. The things were everywhere!!! The nymphs were crawling all over the ground, up the tree trunks..I looked up and saw hundreds of them hanging from the undersides of branches and leaves, all in various stages of molting. I even had one or two trying to climb up my legs.

Pretty cool stuff. Felt like I was on Wild Kingdom...

Better you than me Mike!

Mike, I know all too well what you are talking about. I think those things are pretty awesome. I love the sound that they make while on the trees. Sounds kind of like a whirlwind.

We have them here annually. I always loved to sit on the back patio and listen to them, but they weren't invading or covering everything like Mike describes. Then I got tinnitus, and much of the time, it sounds like cicadas are buzzing in my ears. I don't enjoy it so much anymore. LOL

I read the article about this on Nat'l Geo. Pretty cool species, a 13 year cycle like that.

BUT I wouldn't want to be around it... damn Palmetto bugs in SoCal were bad enough.

The shells of those things would make it seem like they could eat you alive, but in fact they are very harmless. I just think they are neat, and pretty awesome looking.

Originally Posted by Tumblindice

Better you than me Mike!

Awww c'mon, TD...they're not that bad!!

Originally Posted by nightbeasties

I read the article about this on Nat'l Geo. Pretty cool species, a 13 year cycle like that.

BUT I wouldn't want to be around it... damn Palmetto bugs in SoCal were bad enough.

Yep. We get the 7 year and 13 year periodical cicadas, although some broods aren't as prevalent around here. It's not all that bad. Makes me think of a horror movie when you see the trees moving, and realize they're loaded with cicadas...

Originally Posted by Skeletor

The shells of those things would make it seem like they could eat you alive, but in fact they are very harmless. I just think they are neat, and pretty awesome looking.

Easy to catch too, Skeletor. Grab them by their wings,and listen to them buzz like a rattle...

Originally Posted by mikentn

It's time for the 13 year cicada invasion here in Tennessee. I've been seeing a couple here and there, so tonight I decided to go out after dark with a flashlight. The things were everywhere!!! The nymphs were crawling all over the ground, up the tree trunks..I looked up and saw hundreds of them hanging from the undersides of branches and leaves, all in various stages of molting. I even had one or two trying to climb up my legs.

Pretty cool stuff. Felt like I was on Wild Kingdom...

Am I the only one who thought of a B horror movie when they read this???!!!

Originally Posted by MHooch

Am I the only one who thought of a B horror movie when they read this???!!!

Funny you should say that...a local firm made up a movie-style poster to commemorate the hatch. (www.cicadainvasion.com).

This is my first year to experience the invasion!
While I don't mind them so far, I hear that they will be getting much worse as they start flying around...
Hopefully I will still be able to ride my bike! (I just need to make sure my mouth is closed!)