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Bonehead
04-03-2004, 20:44
Are cicadas heard often on the AT? When and where? There's supposed to be a bumper crop of them this year.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/03/0329_040329_cicadas.html#main

Moon Monster
04-04-2004, 02:38
2004 is the year for Brood X (a 17 year variety). Local forecasts in DC recall that 17 years ago, they were far thicker in the District and in Maryland than in Virginia. So, perhaps there will indeed be areas along the AT that are more prone to the cicadas than others.

They should be a sight in May and June when the emerge to mate, but when the hatched larvae start dropping off the trees and burrowing underground by the trillions come August--I won't want to be walking underneath. I went through a gypsy moth larva hatching last year on my way into Harpers Ferry. Hundreds of the little worms dropped on me and my pack in just a few miles.

Jaybird
04-04-2004, 09:33
Are cicadas heard often on the AT? When and where? There's supposed to be a bumper crop of them this year.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/03/0329_040329_cicadas.html#main


Bonehead:

sources say its gonna be a "BUMPER CROP" of Cicadas this year (2004)!
along with the Japanese beetles, it should be a FUN summer....hehehehehehe.
In TN ( & i am assuming GA & NC, too, they will be quite plentiful!)

enjoy your hike...Cicadas & all!:D

Bonehead
04-04-2004, 16:07
Good news bug fans! I found a map of where Brood X will be big this year:

http://www.msj.edu/cicada

:sun

Lilred
04-05-2004, 18:17
Looks like I'm going to be having quite the serenade as I hike. Late May, early June, oh boy......

Footslogger
04-05-2004, 18:28
Saw several cicadas last year on my thru but what was even more interesting (at least to me) was the sound of grashoppers up in PA, NJ and NY (or maybe they were locusts). Every time you took a step they seemed to all make a clicking sound in unison and jump from one weed to the next near the ground.

wspartykid
04-06-2004, 04:05
Checked out that sight Bonehead and seen that cicadas are really good for you. They are high in protien and lots of vitamins. I'll try 'em. Just get them while they're white.

oyvay
04-06-2004, 18:00
Sounds like earplugs are a must for hikers on the trail! Last year some nights on the AT had crickets, cicadas and whatever else buzzing up a storm, it was difficult for me to get to sleep with all the noise! But I'll take nature's noise pollution over human anyday!

Dudeboard
04-06-2004, 18:38
I'll take nature's noise pollution over human anyday!
Ah hear that!