Today's Brood XIV Survey of Cape Cod

Today's Brood XIV Survey of Cape Cod

I returned to Cape Cod today to see what there was to see. I headed east on 6A and stopped at a place known as Murkwood Conservation Lands in East Sandwich. I walked around along the trails for a while but spotted no signs whatsoever. Some parts of Sandwich may be cicada free. I had an idea that I wanted to spend time at Hyannis Ponds Wildlife management area which can be reached via Mary Dunn Road in Hyannis.

I spent a lot of time here. I'm glad I brought my mountain bike again. It sure saves time when trying to cover large areas. I did find signs of cicadas here. Emergence holes, some nymphs and mud turrets but I did not find any exuvia or adults. I did notice however, that the nymphs are now a darker brown and even some were sporting the black patches on the pronotum (area behind the red eyes). This is a sure sign that at least in this area, the cicadas are just getting ready to come out of their holes.

I did take the time to snap this cool photo of a Pink Lady's Slipper (you were right Lisa, I was wrong!). I do not see these where I live in Northern Massachusetts but you never know they could be there. They are all over the place on the Cape.

Many Tenerals Reported in Mashpee.

This morning my good friend Lisa posted to the Entomology-Cicadidae group that she spotted many tenerals and skins scattered throughout her neighborhood. I phoned her when I was through with Hyannis Ponds WMA and asked if I could swing by in the hopes of finding some live specimens. Unfortunately, when I arrived (around 2:30 pm) the only thing we managed to find were Magicicada wings and exuvia all over the place. There was no calling.

Whatever emerged - judging by the many Magicicada wings found - were being eaten by predators. Hopefully there will be enough Magicicadas to satiate predators which is a key methodology that all Periodical cicadas employ to ensure the survival of their species. Only time will tell I guess.

I surveyed the woods behind Lisa's house in Mashpee. It is a vast area with many paths. I did find lots of signs here. While walking along a path, I managed to find a cicada nymph still inside its emergence hole right on the path, out in the open just waiting. Using my cool new Nikon I managed to snap some extreme closeup pictures. I resampled them in order for you to download, so check them out.