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| Vol. 115, No. 24 |
June 11, 2008
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It’s mating season for cicadas
Photos by Vickey Carwile
Brandenburg and the rest of Meade County is being invaded, and it has nothing to do with people or industry. The invasion is the result of periodical cicadas which are considered potential pests of many trees and woody ornamentals. According to the UK Cooperative Extension Service, these insects aren’t harmful to humans, livestock or pets, but the courtship sounds can be irritating or even deafening to some. Males fly to high, sunlit branches and sing together in choruses that attract females. UK Extension specialists say this is a 17-year cycle of the insects, with their appearance expected statewide, except in the Purchase and Pennyrile regions. Periodical cicadas have black bodies, red eyes and red-orange wing veins in two pairs of clear wings that are held roof-like over the abdomen. The adults are active through June.
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