The Scourge of Summer 2011
Unbeknownst to us upon moving to Tennessee, there exists in this area a species of creature that hides underground for 13 years before emerging to horrify local citizens and clutter infrastructure. With bulging red eyes, sharp leg hooks and long wingspans, these creatures create such a panic and stir that their mere presence dominates discussion throughout their month-long reign of terror.
Choosing to remain in trees and woodwork after littering the roads of their shells upon molting, cicadas are obsessed with only one thing: finding a mate. And they’re not shy – making their intentions clear as loudly and constantly as they can, washing the South in a chirpy drone. It’s the kind of near-ambience that makes for good sleeping noise indoors, but proves deafening when exposed to it outside. Thousands of noisy insects can make such a racket that they’ll drone out road noise when driving down the highway!
But soon, they’ll dispatch their larva in the ground to wait another 13 years before invading again. The 2011 survivors will die and middle-Tennessee (and much of the rest of the South) will be quiet once more.
Cicadas, we hardly knew ya!
How do you pronounce that?
Hi Mom! It’s pronounced si-kay-duh.