Periodical Cicada They Are Out This Year

Spring brings a lot of new life in both the plant and insect season out every year, but this year in particular a lot of residents of Kentucky are no doubt noticing the appearance of a new insect, the 17-year or periodical cicada. These cicadas for some unknown reason are referred to by a lot of older people as locusts, but in fact they are not locust nor are they related. The periodical cicada that have emerged this year in regions of Kentucky, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia are not in the least harmful insects but they can be an annoyance due to their constant daily calling.

Despite the obnoxious noise that they call out these insects are quite amazing. These Cicadas are flying plant-sucking insects that do not sting or bite people, and they are not known to cause or carry any form of diseases. The periodical cicada are found in regions of North America particularly those mentioned above, and they belong to the genus known as Magicicada. For the most part they emerged in the months of May and June when the grounds warm letting them know it is safe to emerge. They have large bodies from 20 to 50mm and are black with orange and have striking red eyes and small hooks for toes.