They're back. Or at least they will be soon. Brood XIV of the cicadas should be emerging from the ground in the next few weeks. They're just waiting for the ground temps to reach 65 degrees. The expectation is the first or second week of May. Perfect.This is exciting for various reasons. One is the elder Cleverdons visit during this six-week window and will likely to get to enjoy the spectacular event. Of course, to my knowledge, they haven't purchased their tickets yet. I hope this doesn't change their plans.
The other is the return of cicada wars. Which is essentially the tennis racket vs. the cicada(s). The racket typically wins. San Marco and I have tried various other utensils including wiffle ball bats and spatulas. But what we've found is that the little gems fly a bit too erratically for the bat to be effective (much better for lightning bugs) and the reach of the spatula is limiting to the point of frustration. The racket however has the longest and widest reach and cuts through the air quite effortlessly racking up multiple hits with one swing.
My favorite stat - In heavily infested areas their chirping could exceed 80 decibels - louder than a jet flying overhead.
3 comments:
Just for the record, I feel bad for the buggers that Colin takes down. I do not partake in this "battle". However, last time they emerged, I was teaching and my 7th graders made meals of them. Mmmmm. Not only did I feel bad for the cicadas, but also for the kids' insides.
I am not going to miss that experience this summer!
- Bree
i lived through one of these attacks down in DC the last go around. so nasty! its like hail hitting your car windshield as you drive down the highway!
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