Brood XIX Report from Williamsburg, VA
Sightings Category: Cicadas
Brood XIX Report from Williamsburg, VA
The cicadas first started coming out on May 3. However, last night was spectacular! They were everywhere, even crawling up our legs as we observed them!
Cheryl
Date Posted: 2011-05-08 Comments: (6) Show Comments Hide Comments
Comments
Posted By: Massachusetts Cicadas | On: 2011-05-08 | Website:
Hi Cheryl,
What a very cool series of photos. Of particular interest is the one in the middle. Thanks for sending a ventral view. We can tell by the "bulbous" structure at the tip of the abdomen that that is a male Magicicada.
It has been discussed in the past that males seem to have a propensity to emerge first then the females shortly thereafter.
Thank you!
Posted By: sharon | On: 2011-05-20 | Website:
I could not stop to visually I.d. them, but I can hear them. Crossing the bridge at the Assamoosic Swamp on route 40 in Sussex County, I heard really loud cicadas. At first I thought the noise might be coming from my car, but when I rolled down the window, the sound was loud and unmistakeable.
5/20/11
Posted By: Donald Moffitt | On: 2011-05-26 | Website:
Thursday, May 26, 2011: Here in Heritage Landing, on Route 5 west of Williamsburg, the cicada noise has become louder than ever. There seem to be two distinct sounds, the usual buzz plus an overlaid higher pitched howl. The racket seems to begin around 4:00 a.m. and ends in late afternoon.
Posted By: Massachusetts Cicadas | On: 2011-05-26 | Website:
Hi Donald,
Thanks for the information. Actually I'll be heading to Williamsburg this weekend and staying in the area for a week doing survey work so any other areas that you find would be greatly appreciated.
Posted By: Donald Moffitt | On: 2011-05-26 | Website:
The local paper, the Virginia Gazette, quotes Norman Fashing, a biology professor at the College of William & Mary, as saying that the 13-year-old broods have been reported on Lake Powell Road, in Windsor Forest, First Colony and behind Jamestown High. All these neighborhoods are west of Williamsburg toward Richmond and on or very near water. My neighborhood, Heritage Landing, is part of First Colony, not far from Jamestown. The racket in our neighborhood is almost unbelievable. I grew up in Texas and was used to cicadas but never experienced anything like this hatch.
Posted By: Massachusetts Cicadas | On: 2011-05-26 | Website:
Hi Donald,
That sure is great information. I hope to investigate these points. Even though I'll be on the road, I'll also be mobile so if you think of any other places would you be so kind as to post them here or send and email via the "Contact" link above and to right?
Thanks!