This is a friendly warning. If you live in the following states, expect alot of bugs next May through June.

DE, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WVA

Last time in Cincinnati we had about a million per acre. They are predicting that the 2004 resurgence could be even thicker.

Why post this on a automotive site? Well, our Elements don't come with grills, and you'll really need one next spring. These bugs aren't small, and they will be slamming against your car for 2 to 3 months. Also, a wind deflector may be a consideration. If nothing else, make sure you have a good layer of wax on your car in late April. Bug goo comes off alot easier if you've got a good layer of protection. My father had to get a paint job in 1987 because of the cicadas.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

Some places, e.g., SW Virginia where I live, had the plague of cicadas this year. (They're on different 17-year cycles in different areas.) Cicadas are the main reason that I ran- not walked- to the Cloud-Rider website. Those bugs can really mess up a grill, plus they have a nasty habit of flying over highways right at grill and windshield level. SMACK! :(

So what's the correct pronunciation?
Sa-kay-duh or Sa-kah-duh?

This is your friendly 90 day count-down reminder.

I HATE THOSE THINGS! I visited WV two or three years ago and it was like the plague! I ran from car to house, and that was still no assurance you weren't going to end up with one in your hair. They got in the car and you'd be driving along and hear that awful sound coming from inside the vehicle. It was like a horror movie for someone who dislikes bugs. :shock: Where did you get this info about where they will be this year? I think I'll plan a long vacaton if they are coming to Michigan!

I remember the last go-round with those things. It is not fun on a motorcycle either!
I was framing houses at the time and whenever you powered up the saw they would all flock towards you like you were the MotherShip :P .

Last year we'd go outside in the morning, and there would be hundreds climbing up the side of the house. And it happened every day! The ground was covered with either old exoskeltons or dead bugs. Ugh! The dogs loved it though! Taste like popcorn, I guess! :shock:

But as I said last year, if you live in one of the areas that will be hit this year, get some kind of grill protection. Cicadas seem to like to fly at grill level, right above the road. They are definitely large enough to do damage.

Kristi

I've still got a huge bug splat from late summer on the leading edge of my hood that's outlasted a winter's worth of road salt, slime and abrasion, and two or three touchless car washes. Maybe someone ought to analyze that bug to see if we can't make some kind of automotive protectant finish out of it!

It was an Elem-ant ! :roll:

Terrible page design, but easily the most in-depth info of cicada coverage. This year is Brood X, the largest of them all. from NJ to MO.

http://www.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/magicicada/Periodical/Index.html

http://www.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/magicicada/Periodical/CicadaGraphics/maleside.jpg
"I'm coming for your windshield!"

Now that I've got the Element done, I need to stitch-up and repair my Passat's bra.

[quote:172288a006=" "]This is your friendly 90 day count-down reminder.[/quote:172288a006]

That's right: get your front grille *now* or else be prepared to be picking cicada mush outta your A/C condensor all summer...

-brendan

They're not bad with milk and sugar...But if you want to eat them ala carte, you really need to pull off the exo's and just eat the soft insides. When they've just shed, they're still soft and chewy...Not unlike a softshell crab.

TTT

If you haven't bought a windshield deflector and grill yet, you may be screwed.

:P You missing the boat here. Grab some Olive Oil, Garlic, Spicy Peppers and fry those puppies up and they are similiar to grasshoppers. Hmmm, good. A good cold beer helps, too.

:shock: Slug

GROAN! I am SO dreading this.
We're right on the edge of the cicadia map, so I'm hoping they don't show up here. Got to get that grill covered in any case; thanks for reminding me!

Come in number 51,000,000, your time is up.

[quote:44778813d7=" "]Come in number 51,000,000, your time is up.[/quote:44778813d7]

Haven't spotted one yet, but some reported spottings came in today over the phone from other locals.

dreading this...

-brendan

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/dmcgoldr/Cicadas/

These are pics that I took 2 nights ago in my front yard. And the next morning.

Kensington, MD

- danmcg

So what's the correct pronunciation?
Sa-kay-duh or Sa-kah-duh?
C-K-DUH :)

Saw a bunch on the way to coffee this morning.

I'm scared!

yet, my stomach is grumbling...
-brendan

I hope those C-K-duz don't break my windshield! Sorry, had to say that.

Haven't seen many here in north Georgia area yet, but tons of other bugs. Found three black widows in the past week -- too damp around the house and they love that. Ugh.

They're here, saw my first tonight on the back porch. My wife is seriously freaking out. Good thing we just did our 2-week grocery shopping, because she'll be inside for that long for sure.

[quote:d1076aecd4=" "]So what's the correct pronunciation?
Sa-kay-duh or Sa-kah-duh?[/quote:d1076aecd4]

Main Entry: ci·ca·da
Pronunciation: s&-'kA-d&, -'kä-; sI-'kA-
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -das also ci·ca·dae /-'kA-(")dE, -'kä-/
Etymology: New Latin, genus name, from Latin, cicada
: any of a family (Cicadidae) of homopterous insects which have a stout body, wide blunt head, and large transparent wings and the males of which produce a loud buzzing noise usually by stridulation

(your friendly dictionary geek!)

[quote:ba6bf725c5=" "]http://filebox.vt.edu/users/dmcgoldr/Cicadas/

These are pics that I took 2 nights ago in my front yard. And the next morning.

Kensington, MD

- danmcg[/quote:ba6bf725c5]

darn great pictures thank you.. i forgot how creepy they were/are.. ick.. but very very good pix thank you!

[quote:6bb48fae9b=" "]I hope those C-K-duz don't break my windshield! Sorry, had to say that.

Haven't seen many here in north Georgia area yet, but tons of other bugs. Found three black widows in the past week -- too damp around the house and they love that. Ugh.[/quote:6bb48fae9b]

I read that the Cicadas probably won't get much further south than Dahlonega in North Georgia. That's only about 30 miles north of where I live and work. We did see a few around Kennesaw, GA 17 years ago so I wouldn't be surprised to see a few. Drove up to the north Georgia mountains this afternoon but didn't see any cicadas (but I did see 3 other E's).

Here's a link for those who may have never heard a cicada "concert" :D :
http://abbot.si.edu/highlight/cicadas/audio.htm






8)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3677020236&category=10868

CICADA 17 YEAR PERIODICAL CICADAS INSECT INSECTS REAL
Item number: 3677020236


This is a RARE opportunity for you to own these famous insects that only come out every 17 years in the Eastern Part of the US. If you do not*bid now, it will be another 17 years before you can get ahold of another one!*You will be getting 4*dried unmounted specimens in this auction for ONLY $4, that is*ONLY $1 a piece and it took 17 years in the making! All specimens you will receive are in A1 condition and*come with full*collection data. I ship worldwide!*WOW!!*BID NOW!!*

Wow, what a great idea. Winning bid was $21.50! This guy just had to pick 'em up from his yard.

I should start putting sand up for aucton... "Genuine Venice Beach Sand!"

i have a guy from Belgium who is sending me a check by registered mail for $25 including postage - for 10 Cicadas!! -- after emailing back and forth - he actually called (from Belgium) to talk to me - said he's a teacher and wants them to show his 5th grade students

what a trip -

did you know that upon emerging from their hard shell - cicada's are white?

here's some other pictures i've taken over the past few days

http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAN2TVo5ZuGakT-

http://www.elementownersclub.com/uploads/files/acicadanewlyemerged.jpg

Brendan: can you please do something to make the image smaller - and also remove the many copies of this picture that were uploaded to the server???

Sorry, as far as I know, as a moderator, I don't have all the powers TMac has. However, I did shrink the picture and attach it here:

http://brendan.org/element/acicadanewlyemerged_8x6.jpg

-brendan

as i went out to wash the E today - this activity was taking place on the front window:http://www.elementownersclub.com/uploads/files/2cicadasonanelementwindow.jpg

2 Cicadas on an Element window!!!


Gosh...you don't suppose they'll crack it do you?!?! :wink:





8)

ah ha - that must be the answer - cicadas burrowed deep within in the windshield - unseen to the naked eye for 17 years!

[quote:689f3f5f07=" "]ah ha - that must be the answer - cicadas burrowed deep within in the windshield - unseen to the naked eye for 17 years![/quote:689f3f5f07]

hee that is cute.. and what great pix.. i am in a new development and with the disturbed ground here we are very much removed from these critters..

but i did have the honor of one flying into me as i went to the mailbox the other day.. it fell to the ground and just laid there.. i walked by again and saw those cute red beadie eyes "looking" up at me.. so neeat...

We went to Alms park in Cincinnati, Ohio today. It was intentional, my wife had only seen a cicada here & there, nothing wild. That place was hoppin'! We were running around shaking tress and picking them out of the air and chuckin at each other.. My 5 month old son grabbed one off momma and nearly ate it!

The Element took a beating. It got a wash once we got home, but only one cicada managed to remain intact on the grill. There were plenty of parts elsewhere...

http://mcguirk.org/auto/elementcicada.jpg

So disappointing... went to Ohio (near Columbus) for a family visit and NO cicadas!! There were some within a 30 miles, but none in the immediate locale. Sheesh! Some towns were even beginning to experience Cicada Envy! All those tee-shirts and coffee mugs and no one to buy them... :D




8)

a teacher in Belgium paid me $25 plus shipping to send him a few dead cicadas -- and an artist in California paid $30 for a ton (well not literally 2000 lbs) -- hundreds of Cicada wings!

Happy to report that the infestation didn't hit Ann Arbor. I thought with all these trees we'd be infested. (Sigh of relief.) Been there; done that, in another town at another time. Glad not to have to do it again, especially since I never got that grill on the E.

http://www3.telus.net/public/tramps/Zits.gif

No picture boneheadz

Gotta give us techinacally challenged a minute


I thought this was fitting, although I have never experienced this I have read enough that I feel I've been there.

Bone.

HA, HA, HA!
GOOD ONE!!! :lol: