Cicadas (Atlanta, Macon, Redan: dangerous, radio, summer)

[brent6969]

Why didn't Atlanta have Cicadas this year? I was in Macon recently and it sounded like spaceships landing, it was almost deafening. I am glad we did not have them they are not very pleasant creatures, somewhat pre historic, but really amazing in their biological makeup and how they know when 13 years are up to come out of the ground.

[jematl]

They will be emerging through June. UGA is asking for the public's help in tracking them. Here's a recent article about it:

Have You Seen This Bug? - Stone Mountain-Redan, GA Patch

[MathmanMathman]

I've seen them once in Pennsylvania. It was an amazing sight. No exaggeration, they were EVERYWHERE. And that constant drone.

[Esteban5]

The Cicada Killers are what I fear....

[blackhemi]

First I've ever heard of these things. I'm from the West coast though. They sound like they may be annoying, but might be worth it for a once every 13 years type of thing. Just fascinating.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by Esteban5

The Cicada Killers are what I fear....

The Cicada Killer Wasps are not dangerous for the most part (compared to other Bees). The males will "buzz" at you if you get near their territory but they don't have stingers. The females will sting only if really threatened by people - they typically don't come at you like a normal Wasp will. They look more menacing than they are - unless you're a Cicada, in which case, you're dead if you're close enough to see one.

[waronxmas]

As some one else stated, Cicadas don't start to rumble until about mid June or so and last until about the end of August. It's really bizarre too when they stop chirping in Late summer. It's like someone turns a loud radio off.