Subject:  BROWN EYED MAGICICADA!!
Geographic location of the bug:  Fairfax, Va
Date: 06/02/2021
Time: 07:06 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman :  Hello! Here’s some Magicicadas that we found today-the larger one has the typical red eyes and the small guy has brown eyes!! Pretty sure they are both males. I love coming across ones with unusual eyes (I sent in a photo of a “mustard” eyed magicicada back in 2013.) They are so beautiful!!
How you want your letter signed:  Katie from Sumerduck

Periodical Cicadas

Dear Katie,
According to CNN, the Brood X Periodical Cicadas that are emerging in your area now are known as the Great Eastern Brood.  We located your Brood II submission on June 6, 2013 and also one on May 28 the same year.  It is wonderful that your location allows you to experience the 17 year emergence of two different Broods of the Periodical Cicada.

Periodical Cicadas

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Subject: What is this thing?
Location: Buffalo MN
July 9, 2017 2:13 pm
I found this under the soil in my shade garden. It has big red orange eyes. It looks like a slug of some sort but has legs that look almost like spider legs. Can I feed it to my son’s pet toad???
Signature: John and Nessa

Periodical Cicada Nymph

Dear John and Nessa,
This is a Cicada nymph, and immature Cicadas spend their juvenile lives underground feeding of fluids from plant roots.  We believe the red eyes are evidence that this is the nymph of a Periodical Cicada, commonly called a 17 Year Locust in northern states where the nymph survives underground for 17 years, emerging in late spring with 1000s of other Periodical Cicadas.  Here is a FlickR image of a Periodical Cicada nymph.  This year we documented an unusual Brood X emergence of stragglers.  You may enjoy the information on the Minnesota Gardener page.

Periodical Cicada Nymph

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Subject: Cicadas
Location: Columbus, OH
May 26, 2017 12:23 pm
So the cicadas have arrived, guess that means its officially summer. I’m including a pic of an adult and the shell of a nymph (?) it came from (maybe, I think, Lol). Don’t know which kind of cicadas this is (how many years it spent under ground), but its out in Columbus, OH now.
Signature: Amber

Periodical Cicada: Brood X Straggler

Dear Amber,
This is a Periodical Cicada, and in your area, Periodical Cicadas normally remain underground for 17 years, leading to the common name 17 Year Locust, though Cicadas and Locusts are not related.  2017 is the year Brood VI Periodical Cicadas are due to emerge in Georgia and the Carolinas according to Cicada Mania.  For some reason, this year is also producing Brood X Stragglers and according to Cicada Mania:  “Brood X stragglers have emerged in Tennessee (around Knoxville), Washington D.C., Virginia (counties around D.C.), Maryland (counties around D.C.), Ohio (around Cincinnati), Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, & New Jersey (around Princeton)! They are chorusing in many locations.”  Cicada Mania also includes this fascinating information:  “Note: because of the significant number of cicadas emerging ahead of time, this might be an acceleration event. Periodical cicada accelerations occur when a significant group of an established brood emerge in years ahead of the main brood, and sometimes the accelerated group are able to reproduce and create what is essentially a new brood. Brood VI was likely part of Brood X at one point of time¹. We’ll have to see if the Brood X stragglers are able to survive predation, and reproduce in significant numbers to sustain future populations. They are certainly trying.”  The exuvia or cast off exoskeleton of the nymph is a nice addition to your submission.

Exuvia of a Periodical Cicada

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Subject: unknown bug
Location: Maryland
May 18, 2017 5:35 am
hello, I was wondering if you could please let me know what kind of bug this is in the picture. I live in Baldwin, Maryland and I have seen this bug before I believe it sheds a shell of its skin. This one seems like it is getting bigger underneath so Im thinking it may be pregnant.
Signature: Thank you, Michele

Periodical Cicada Exuvia: Brood X Straggler

Dear Michele,
This is the exuvia or shed exoskeleton of a Cicada, and considering your location and time of year, this is probably the exuvia of a Periodical Cicada, a Brood X straggler.  According to Cicada Mania:  “Brood X stragglers are emerging in Tennessee (around Knoxville), Washington D.C., Virginia (counties around D.C.), Maryland (counties around D.C.), Ohio (around Cincinnati), Delaware, Indiana, & Kentucky! These stragglers are emerging 4 years ahead of time. HOT weather this week will cause even more to emerge, and they may begin to chorus (synchronized singing) as well.”  Periodical Cicadas are erroneously called 17 Year Locusts.

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