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Brood X is a swarm of cicadas that emerge every 17 years. 2021 is the next year that they will emerge. I'm not sure if anyone remember's the swarm in 2004 but they were loud and everywhere. They emerge in early summer on the East coast so basically right when everyone is going to be on the trail.
Is anyone planning a hike next season around cicadas or giving them any thought at all? What do we think?
the 17 yr cicada eruptions occur in different locations - parts of Asheville/Linville Gorge had this 3 years ago. It was actually fascinating how very regional the eruptions were. my neighborhood was inundated, 2 miles away - none.
Yep. I was living in Ohio for the 1970 brood there (maybe same brood as in MD, but at least the same time), then 1987 and 2004 (visiting both times), I'll have to get back there for 2021 ! Fun stuff. People were putting them on pizzas. Amazing how well the little nymphs somehow count those years.Quote:
Originally Posted by zeevo
I had a swarm in PA AT in 2013. I didn't get the letter but it was incredible.
Putting them on Pizza?? What! I'm really thinking that these could disrupt thru hikes but this makes me think that I shouldn't really care and not move any of my 2021 plans? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by colorado_rob
When nature demonstrates spectacular events like this, I sometimes think it's to remind those able to think beyond themselves there are things far greater than than the human species itself. Being one of the few creatures who can physically change the environment on a large scale to meet our needs we should use some of that capability and ingenuity to preserve an environment all flora and fauna can thrive in.
Mother natures trail magic. 50 to 60% protein, 44% sat. Fat, 54%unsat. Fat, iodine, phosphorus, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, magnesium and selenium, low carb and about 50 calories a piece.I think i would smoke them first.Quote:
Originally Posted by colorado_rob
at them when they are grubs
https://youtu.be/PrMlXth3qEM
I was living in Northern Virginia then and it was amazing. I was out with the dog one night and I noticed the grass in our front yard was wiggling. A closer look revealed hundreds if not thousands of cicadas all emerging from the ground at the same time. Within a few hours they had climbed up on the trees and shrubs to break out of their shells. The next couple of weeks they collectively made a loud sound like an idling diesel truck day and night. They drilled every twig on every tree around to lay their eggs.Quote:
Originally Posted by zeevo
Definitely would not adjust thru hike because of this. If anything it’s a reason to go. Probably would not make my food plans dependent on it tho. :)
Thanks this is what I was wondering!Quote:
Originally Posted by HankIV
There is a brood of cicadas emerging EVERY year... each brood with a 13 or 17 year cycle.
The only thing "special" I can find about Brood X is that they have the greatest range and concentration of the 17 year cycle cicadas, and a good bit of their range includes areas the AT goes thru.
Found this web page that lists the various brood and included a distribution map of each one.
I watched that. It made me cringe, especially when the grubs went in their mouths and they crunched down on their heads. Oh gross! Just gross!Quote:
Originally Posted by zelph
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Originally Posted by colorado_rob
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Originally Posted by zelph
And here I thought anchovies were nasty enough...Quote:
Originally Posted by illabelle
Anchovies..fishy, grubs...like Spam:DQuote:
Originally Posted by 4eyedbuzzard
I was in Iquitos for a few months in the early 90s but missed the grubs!Quote:
Originally Posted by zelph
A week before they emerge, you may find the grubs under stones or landscape walkway slabs.
https://www.cicadamania.com/images/where-slate.jpg