Southern Marylanders - Help me locate the 'cicada invasion'

[westsideboy]

Originally Posted by DaveinMtAiry

Yes we had them too but they were a disappointment. I went through Chevy Chase and they were everywhere. I'm so bummed, this is about the only thing I think is better in Montgomery County than up here.

I lived in Frederick County in 2004, and didn't see that many either. I chalked it up to the new development in the area we lived in. I don't know why Chevy Chase would have so many and Mt. Airy wouldn't. But then again, I am not sure I have ever been to Chevy Chase.

At any rate, in 2021, come up to Allegany County. We have tons of forest and get massive emergences.

[uggabugga]

Originally Posted by DaveinMtAiry

Thanks for the bad news. But I don't get it. They are turning up in New Jersey, why would Mount Airy be too far north? And we are surrounded by 100 year old trees, no development here since the 1800's.

As for why I'm so interested that's simple: they are an amazing phenomenon. I remember as a kid growing up in Montgomery County just how incredible they were. They are harmless and I wanted to use them as fishing bait last time but never got around to it.

Some people eat them, call 'em "land shrimp". I'll pass although I wanted my dog to eat them, it's good for them (free protein).

as westsideboy noted, different broods are in discrete geographic areas. the very first map i posted shows broods II, X, and XIX: your area and mine are within the brood X area, but not brood II (this year's brood).

i had to go to manassas yesterday, here are a couple shots i took at bull run park. unfortunately the emergence happened 3-4 days ago so the only ones i found were ones that had wing defects and couldn't fly off. it was still pretty cool to see, though. some areas were just littered with shed exoskeletons ('skins').