Every summer, the residents of the Eastern United States are given the treat of the songs of the annual Cicadas, members of the genus Tibicen. The familiar buzz of theTibicen is a far cry from the wail of the Magicicada -- as different as the greens and browns are from the reds and blacks in their appearance!
This website, http://www.insectsingers.com/100th_meridian_cicadas/index.html, Insect Singers, is the best I have found so far for cataloging the different species and their calls.
This year, we have the particular treat of an appearance of members of the 17-year Cicada genus, Magicicada, making their periodical appearance. This year we have the emergence of Brood II, "the East Coast Brood," of the Seventeen-Year Cicadas. Here is a link to their unique calls:
A Magicicada speciman: notice the orange and red colors, rather than the blue and green of the annual Cicadas of the genus Tibicen.
They are remarkably loud, rather nifty looking, out in overwhelming numbers, and generally harmless. So, if you are lucky enough to have them in your area, take full advantage!
Map showing the area that should see Brood II emerge this Spring.
Brood II will be emerging in one of the most populated corridors of the United States -- and the Magicicada specimen begin to sing early -- in late Spring, late April to early June, rather than during the dog days of summer, starting in late June, like the Tibicenspecies. There populations are local, as you might find that your neighborhood is covered come May, while one a few miles away is quiet. That is certainly part of the fun of these emergences!
This site has more on Brood II, in particular:http://www.magicicada.org/about/brood_pages/broodII.php
Here is a list, for the curious, of all of the Broods, as members of this genus, whether 13 or 17 year species, appear in coordinated groups that are rather regional:http://www.magicicada.org/about/brood_pages/broods.php
Here is a discussion of the different members of the genus:http://magicicada.org/about/species_pages/species.php
Finally, this site has a good overview of the 17-year Cicadas, along with splendid recordings:
http://www.songsofinsects.com/iframes/cicadas/periodical.html
This blogger has had the opportunity to drive through the emergence of Brood X in 2004, and the 13-year Brood XIX in 2011, so a local emergence to his home is quite the treat!
Now is the time to begin listening for this group of remarkable insects. Be ready when they arrive! Those of us living in this area will have another 17 years to wait for this opportunity to come once again -- don't miss out!
Live well!
This website, http://www.insectsingers.com/100th_meridian_cicadas/index.html, Insect Singers, is the best I have found so far for cataloging the different species and their calls.
This year, we have the particular treat of an appearance of members of the 17-year Cicada genus, Magicicada, making their periodical appearance. This year we have the emergence of Brood II, "the East Coast Brood," of the Seventeen-Year Cicadas. Here is a link to their unique calls:
A Magicicada speciman: notice the orange and red colors, rather than the blue and green of the annual Cicadas of the genus Tibicen.
They are remarkably loud, rather nifty looking, out in overwhelming numbers, and generally harmless. So, if you are lucky enough to have them in your area, take full advantage!
Map showing the area that should see Brood II emerge this Spring.
Brood II will be emerging in one of the most populated corridors of the United States -- and the Magicicada specimen begin to sing early -- in late Spring, late April to early June, rather than during the dog days of summer, starting in late June, like the Tibicenspecies. There populations are local, as you might find that your neighborhood is covered come May, while one a few miles away is quiet. That is certainly part of the fun of these emergences!
This site has more on Brood II, in particular:http://www.magicicada.org/about/brood_pages/broodII.php
Here is a list, for the curious, of all of the Broods, as members of this genus, whether 13 or 17 year species, appear in coordinated groups that are rather regional:http://www.magicicada.org/about/brood_pages/broods.php
Here is a discussion of the different members of the genus:http://magicicada.org/about/species_pages/species.php
Finally, this site has a good overview of the 17-year Cicadas, along with splendid recordings:
http://www.songsofinsects.com/iframes/cicadas/periodical.html
This blogger has had the opportunity to drive through the emergence of Brood X in 2004, and the 13-year Brood XIX in 2011, so a local emergence to his home is quite the treat!
Now is the time to begin listening for this group of remarkable insects. Be ready when they arrive! Those of us living in this area will have another 17 years to wait for this opportunity to come once again -- don't miss out!
Live well!
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