CC1 Attacked By Locusts!!!

CC1 · #1 05-19-2008, 05:10 PM

Well, ok, maybe not "attacked" but it sure gave me a big surprise.

This past Saturday I was finally able to carve out a couple of hours to enjoy the beautiful 78 degree Spring weather in Middle Tennessee on my motorcycle.

As I was zooming down a rural highway about 55 mph I heard a loud "crack" and felt something impact with my right knee. I immediately glanced down to see an almost rectangular brown, thick, object bouncing off my knee and up over the motorcyle.

It freaked me out because I thought it was too big and too dense to be a bug but too small and weirdly shaped to be a bird.

Then yesteray I was online and looking at news headlines when an article in USA today grabbed my attention because of the photo that went with it.

Staring up at me was this ugly brown rectangular thing about 1 1/2" inches long that I realized looked the same shape and size as what hit me (although in my adreneline rush I could have sworn it was about 2 1/2" long not 1 1/2").

It turns out that these bugs are "singing cicadas". They only come out once every 17 years and this year are in 13 states including Tennessee. Some of you may know them as locusts.

Elizabeth · #2 05-19-2008, 05:29 PM

Well this is a green one-but they are still UG-LEE!!

CC1 · #3 05-19-2008, 05:37 PM

Jeanie,

Your pic looks pretty. The USA Today one was brown with red eyes!!

berkeley · #4 05-19-2008, 05:39 PM

...it's the end of times...

HeavenlyOne · #5 05-19-2008, 05:43 PM

They were in Illinois I think last year. Very loud suckers too!!

Falla39 · #6 05-19-2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeanie

Well this is a green one-but they are still UG-LEE!!

This is what we call "Jar-flies" growing up. We would catch them
and put them in a Mason jar for fun.

Brings back memories.

Falla39

scotty · #7 05-19-2008, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeanie

Well this is a green one-but they are still UG-LEE!!

Well we must be plagued in Arkansas cause these things are all over the place every year

CC1 · #8 05-19-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

They were in Illinois I think last year. Very loud suckers too!!

I hope they don't ruin this years motorcycle riding. As bad as that one hurt hitting me I can't imagine if I ran into a swarm of them.

They are very "solid".

I read that they are attracted to loud noises so it is a good thing I haven't put loud pipes on my bike yet!

mfblume · #9 05-19-2008, 07:25 PM

Ladybugs are migrating and filling the air around Forest Falls, CA, this past few days. Really odd sight.

Rhoni · #10 05-19-2008, 07:28 PM

Now you can empathize with those Eygptians who went through the plague of the Locusts...frightening.