A Cacophony of Cicadas

They’re HEEEEERRRRRRREEEEE! The periodical cicadas have arrived and we are knee-deep in all three species. This is the benefit of mature trees - COOL BUGS!

It’s pretty loud, too. So far the highest I’ve clocked is 85 decibels. I can’t really begin to describe how much I love this phenomenon. As a die-hard bug person, this is pretty heavenly. Am I looking for blue-eyed ones? Yes. Do I pick them up to determine species and sex? Yes. Have I frozen some to send to a friend who is bereft she doesn’t have any? You betcha.

This periodical cicada is crawling on my hand and being pretty chill.

I did cover the two smallest Japanese maples, but everything else is on its own. Let the critters give everything a nice prune. The trees can handle it. Plus, the newer trees now will have a happy little population of cicadas to pop out in 17 years.

I had forgotten how just plain dumb these bugs really are. They are terrible fliers - they sort of just bumble around. I’ve got some perennials with egg-laying action. Really? The Culver’s root is not a tree, kids.

To give you a glimpse of just how many…the big spruce at the end is sparkling with wings!

All in all, I find them delightful! To experience this 17-year marvelous insect mystery is a treasure. I’m also delighted that people in general seem pretty excited, especially kids. Bug nerds, unite!