# The Generation X Cicadas Are Coming! The Generation X Cicadas Are Coming! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 21, 2004, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282 "2004-04-21T20:44:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2004, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/61 "2004-05-12T21:05:18Z")
I think Pittsburgh may be just outside the Brood X boundary, which is thankful as all hell because the ones in 2002 were bad enough. At least I hope they don’t start showing up. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/62 "2004-05-13T14:49:17Z")
OK, another Arlington update. If there aren’t a lot of trees around, there don’t seem to be any cicadas. So you may be out of luck in the heart of DC. Anyway, there were a bunch of husks under the trees. At least a hundred under each. And there were little bits of cicada everywhere - residue from a bird buffet, I’m sure. Anyway, in my tree lined little neighborhood, there were probably 6-10 on each tree trunk and several on the sidewalks underneath the trees. But once I walked out of my little neighborhood into the major roads, I didn’t see any at all. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/63 "2004-05-13T15:11:51Z")
I haven’t seen any in my 'hood yet. I’ve worked myself into a tizzy about this, by the way. How long does Paxil have to be in your system before it works its magic? I’ve never been on any such type of drug but I don’t know how I’m going to cope with this. Seriously, I’ve had more nightmares about this than I care to mention. The last time they were out, I stayed home during the day as I was a young teen. I simply do not have six weeks of vacation time. JuanitaTech, attempting deep breathing to calm the hell down. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/64 "2004-05-13T16:26:42Z")
> [@JuanitaTech](#): > > I’ve worked myself into a tizzy about this, by the way. How long does Paxil have to be in your system before it works its magic? I’ve never been on any such type of drug but I don’t know how I’m going to cope with this. Seriously, I’ve had more nightmares about this than I care to mention. Well, don’t watch Channel 11 and their damned “CICADA ALERTS!” I swear, they’re on every morning, in some poor sap’s backyard, counting cicadas on the trees. Yes, we know it’s a cicada year. Do we really need to see close-ups of the ugly things shedding their skins and climbing trees at 6:30 every morning? Do we need more sly jokes about how they’ve spent 17 years underground, and now they have just six weeks to _(wink-wink, nudge-nudge)_ “find a girlfriend”? :rolleyes: I think not… ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/65 "2004-05-13T17:05:00Z")
> [@Neurotik](#): > > Out here in Arlington (Ballston), I saw 5-6 this morning in my neighborhood when I walked to work. I picked one up, but it didn’t shriek. I was very much disappointed. Look carefully at its rear before you pick one up. If it has a pointy, wasp-like butt, it’s a female and it won’t squeal. If it has a squared-off butt, it’s a male and should squeal very nicely. **Olentzero** , who is _very_ disappointed because he works right next to a nice leafy park and the little twerps aren’t showing up. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/66 "2004-05-13T17:29:44Z")
Total hijack, but… **Angua** , when are you going to be in Toronto? Mebbe we could scare up enough people for a MiniDope… ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/67 "2004-05-13T17:40:13Z")
> [@BiblioCat](#): > > Well, don’t watch Channel 11 and their damned “CICADA ALERTS!” I know. Sickos…the lot of 'em. I don’t even turn on my TV until 6:57 a.m. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Girl)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/68 "2004-05-13T17:57:42Z")
> [@Jeff Olsen](#): > > Seems I’ve seen that recipe before… Doh! I just realized what you meant. Silly, sloooww me. Thank big freaky bugs I have the appropriated smiley! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/69 "2004-05-13T17:59:40Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Total hijack, but… **Angua** , when are you going to be in Toronto? Mebbe we could scare up enough people for a MiniDope… From Monday in fact. However, I’m supposed to be visiting family, so slinking off to a Dopefest might be a bit hard to explain… ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Girl)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/70 "2004-05-13T18:00:33Z")
> [@Cinnamon Girl](#): > > Doh! I just realized what you meant. Silly, sloooww me. Thank big freaky bugs I have the appropriated smiley! > > :smack: Or shall I say I’ve _appropriated_ the **appropriate** smiley… :rolleyes: Note to self: The button is called Preview Post. It’s located to the right of Submit Reply and is very useful for alleviating ridiculous, unnecessary typos. ---
**Author:** ![athelas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/71 "2004-05-13T18:38:22Z")
Here in Princeton Jct, NJ (about 10 minutes from Princeton), there are _no_darned_cicadas_ With all the fuss about 'em, I really wanted to see one or seventeen - bah! ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2004, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/72 "2004-05-13T19:23:24Z")
ths is not fair, as a Vermonter, i feel left out of the fun, also i’d like to have a few cicadas available as a free snack for my pet tarantula, she’s a Chilean Rosehair, about 5" around including legs, i think she’d really enjoy a cicada snack anyone want to mail me a couple of live ones, i really want to know if they’d be good Tarantula Chow™ ---
**Author:** ![Trigonal\_Planar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@Trigonal\_Planar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trigonal_Planar)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/73 "2004-05-14T02:29:13Z")
I really really hope they make it up to Southwestern Ontario. I love bugs and this invasion sounds really really cool. Okay, call me crazy _IN UNISON_ you’re crazy! Ya ya, I know. ---
**Author:** ![Angua](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@Angua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angua)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/74 "2004-05-14T12:49:53Z")
> [@Trigonal Planar](#): > > I really really hope they make it up to Southwestern Ontario. I love bugs and this invasion sounds really really cool. > Okay, call me crazy _IN UNISON_ you’re crazy! > Ya ya, I know. You’re CRAZY! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Neidhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Neidhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neidhart)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/75 "2004-05-14T14:01:55Z")
I hear them shrilling in the trees as I type this! Saw a few husks yesterday, backyard’s full of holes, but haven’t run into any live ones yet. ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/76 "2004-05-14T14:42:17Z")
> [@Neidhart](#): > > …haven’t run into any live ones yet. Don’t fret, even if you don’t run into them, they’ll most certainly run into you…Usually right into your face in fact. If you jog, bike, drive a convertable, ride a motorcyle, rollerblade or just walk around the neighborhood - keep an eye peeled, or wear a welder’s mask. ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/77 "2004-05-14T15:31:36Z")
Haven’t seen any of them flying around, and haven’t heard them… but I see quite a few dead and dying ones on the sidewalks in the morning. Dog loves to try to eat 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/78 "2004-05-14T15:33:18Z")
> [@Olentzero](#): > > Look carefully at its rear before you pick one up. If it has a pointy, wasp-like butt, it’s a female and it won’t squeal. If it has a squared-off butt, it’s a male and should squeal very nicely. > > **Olentzero** , who is _very_ disappointed because he works right next to a nice leafy park and the little twerps aren’t showing up. Gotcha. Growing up on the other side of the country, I don’t have much experience with cicadas. Anyway, you really have to watch for them early in the morning. When I come home at night, I see no live ones - just the aftermath of the slaughter that had occurred earlier in the day. I saw a squirrel pick one up and start munching on its head this morning. Definitely creeped me out. We have some seriously agressive squirrels in our neighborhood. I have to say though, I’m feeling really let down by this whole thing. I was imagining swarms of the suckers everywhere. Instead, it’s like a trickle. Booooo. ---
**Author:** ![Theios](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e8c25b/32.png) [@Theios](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theios)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/79 "2004-05-14T23:02:14Z")
They’ve finially arrived in Harpers Ferry. On my dialy walk, I managed to find Cicada Central in someone’s yard. Lots of husk, lots of smushed ones in the road, and a few with deformed wings still in the trees. I picked one up and he buzzed weakly. I felt sorry for the poor guy, so I put him back. I’m sure someone will make a snack out of him before too long. I was able to get the homeowner’s permission to poke around their yard tonight. I can’t wait! This news is really gonna freak my girlfriend out. I brought home an empty husk for her amusement (or was that for my amusement… I can’t remember) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![PhyrePhly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ab097/32.png) [@PhyrePhly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhyrePhly)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2004, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282/80 "2004-05-14T23:05:40Z")
> [@Blackeyes](#): > > WOW!!! :eek: so do I. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming-the-generation-x-cicadas-are-coming/241282.md?page=5)