Guest MikeSC Report post Posted May 15, 2004 I think they're a breed of locusts. I remember reading some article trying to scientifically explain the 10 plagues of Egypt, and explaining the locusts as coming during a year of Cicada breakout because they're like locusts. realizes he probably just started what will be an 11 page topic on the bible vs. science...walks out whistling innocently *grabs Slapnuts* *sits him in chair* You will listen to the theological debate, should one break out, and you will LIKE IT, young man! Walks out happy after a job well done. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricMM 0 Report post Posted May 15, 2004 The 17 year cicadas are only here. It's an American thing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted May 15, 2004 ...The roaches carry guns, for God's sake I blame the school system. And here in Dayton, none yet....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0 Report post Posted May 15, 2004 The difference is that cicadas don't eat all of the vegitation around. They're also not grasshoppers, as locusts are. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricMM 0 Report post Posted May 15, 2004 I think of cicadas as more like big dumb stupid flies. They don't bite, or sting, they just bitch whenever you hurt one. They just wiggle around and buzz a lot. They have less than the survival traits of a slug. Their survival trait is, there are millions and millions and millions of us, so all our predators will be far too full to eat us all! They are by far the most tame bug I have ever seen. You can like carry one on your shoulder all day if you wanted to, it wouldn't do anything about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted May 15, 2004 ...The roaches carry guns, for God's sake I blame the school system. And here in Dayton, none yet....... "Family Guy" references. LOVE IT! -=Mike ..."Man, those ARE some bad roaches" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricMM 0 Report post Posted May 15, 2004 Thats the first thing I thought of when I read that. I guess I'm just another summer block buster starring Will Smith.... . . . I, RACIST~! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted May 15, 2004 I think of cicadas as more like big dumb stupid flies. They don't bite, or sting, they just bitch whenever you hurt one. They just wiggle around and buzz a lot. They have less than the survival traits of a slug. Their survival trait is, there are millions and millions and millions of us, so all our predators will be far too full to eat us all! They are by far the most tame bug I have ever seen. You can like carry one on your shoulder all day if you wanted to, it wouldn't do anything about it. Are cicadas tame --- or just REALLY dumb? -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest BDC Report post Posted May 15, 2004 Are cicadas tame --- or just REALLY dumb? Always bet on dumb. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted May 16, 2004 Female Cicadas can actually sting if provoked. I've never been tagged by one, though, and I've been lighting them on fire and hitting them with a tennis racket for a day or two now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ill One 0 Report post Posted May 16, 2004 Hell I'm waiting for them to hit here, then when I get exceptionally bored I can kill 'em. Whether by fire, fist, foot, or whatever. But I'm always going to bet on really dumb instead of tame. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ace309 0 Report post Posted May 16, 2004 I'm not sure if they'll make it up to Buffalo. I was 4 going on 5 during the last Brood X in 1987, and my parents don't seem to remember them here at all although my mom remembers them from 1953, when she was very young, for some reason. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricMM 0 Report post Posted May 16, 2004 Female Cicadas can actually sting if provoked really? I've never ever heard that, and I've talked to a couple of University of MD "pest control" people at my job... Where did you hear that they can sting? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted May 17, 2004 Some dumbass. I looked into it as well, and they can't sting. This explains why I haven't been stung. I can tell they're mad at me, though... It seemed reasonable at the time I was told that they'd have some kind of self-defense mechanism. What a pointless bug. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaertos 0 Report post Posted May 17, 2004 Nope. The only self-defense they have is that there are a gazillion of them. In fact, one article I read said that most birds and other predators actually get sick of them; like being at an all-you-can-eat shrimp buffet. Eventually, no matter how hungry you are, shrimp just don't look appetizing anymore. They aren't Locusts at all, entirely different. The last time they were around, I remember going to a Reds game and just getting whacked with them all night. Finally, Dogs and Cats can eat them, but if they eat too many the hard exoskeletons will cause them to become constipated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ced 0 Report post Posted May 18, 2004 And if you're in the mood (ie bored and/or a bit wild) you can eat them yourself, just make sure you're not allergic to them. Man Becomes Ill After Gorging on Cicadas However, I'm on the western half of the U.S. so I'll never have the opportunity to see a swarm of the little bastards, let alone eat them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vyce 0 Report post Posted May 18, 2004 I think of cicadas as more like big dumb stupid flies. They don't bite, or sting, they just bitch whenever you hurt one. They just wiggle around and buzz a lot. They have less than the survival traits of a slug. Their survival trait is, there are millions and millions and millions of us, so all our predators will be far too full to eat us all! They are by far the most tame bug I have ever seen. You can like carry one on your shoulder all day if you wanted to, it wouldn't do anything about it. Are cicadas tame --- or just REALLY dumb? -=Mike Dumb. Good lord, they're dumb. They can't even fucking FLY correctly - they just sort of bumble around aimlessly until they fly into something, fall on their back, and just lay there until something comes along and eats them. But these things are fucking EVERYWHERE here in Northern VA, right outside of D.C. All day long, you can HEAR them - this odd, high-pitched whine which is, I suppose, their mating call, which sounds oddly like the weird noise the giant ants made in the film "Them!" It's only going to get worse, too, as they're about to enter into their most disgusting stage soon - dying by the thousands. The streets in my neighborhood are already littered with their brittle corpses. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Styles 0 Report post Posted May 18, 2004 I think of cicadas as more like big dumb stupid flies. They don't bite, or sting, they just bitch whenever you hurt one. They just wiggle around and buzz a lot. They have less than the survival traits of a slug. Their survival trait is, there are millions and millions and millions of us, so all our predators will be far too full to eat us all! They are by far the most tame bug I have ever seen. You can like carry one on your shoulder all day if you wanted to, it wouldn't do anything about it. Are cicadas tame --- or just REALLY dumb? -=Mike Dumb. Good lord, they're dumb. They can't even fucking FLY correctly - they just sort of bumble around aimlessly until they fly into something, fall on their back, and just lay there until something comes along and eats them. But these things are fucking EVERYWHERE here in Northern VA, right outside of D.C. All day long, you can HEAR them - this odd, high-pitched whine which is, I suppose, their mating call, which sounds oddly like the weird noise the giant ants made in the film "Them!" It's only going to get worse, too, as they're about to enter into their most disgusting stage soon - dying by the thousands. The streets in my neighborhood are already littered with their brittle corpses. And the evolutionary purpose of this species, is what exactly? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricMM 0 Report post Posted May 18, 2004 to have more babies... Isn't that what all species seek to do? Anyways, the "whine" you hear during the day is a little bit eerie. It's like, constant and unusual. It just sounds so damned alien to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Firestarter 0 Report post Posted May 18, 2004 these things are fucking EVERYWHERE here in Northern VA, right outside of D.C. Are you serious? I'm in Arlington, about 5 minutes outside DC, and I've yet to see or hear a single one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted May 18, 2004 Ours aren't quite that thick yet, but there's more than usual. We have other species of cicadas around here, along with these Periodical ones. This has become a subject of great interest to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vyce 0 Report post Posted May 18, 2004 these things are fucking EVERYWHERE here in Northern VA, right outside of D.C. Are you serious? I'm in Arlington, about 5 minutes outside DC, and I've yet to see or hear a single one. Head over a few miles into Falls Church. They were so loud today that they literally sounded like a siren going off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricMM 0 Report post Posted May 18, 2004 Whats funny about their singing is that they're basically going "Seeex... seeeeeex... Me so horrrnyyyy.... Seeeeex..." They're not territorial insects, they're just guys calling out to the ladies Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Nanks Report post Posted May 19, 2004 What's all the carrying on about?? Cicadas are just a summer thing here. They're really nothing to be afraid of or anything. I used to collect their shells/cocoon thingies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted May 19, 2004 New weapon: Aluminum bat. Requires more accuracy, but makes a satisfying "tink" noise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted May 19, 2004 I'm glad you haven't gone with the tired flamethrower route yet, Agent. You know, find any sprayable container such as air fragance sprays, perfumes/colognes, and a match, light the match and fire away if you need to make one... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted May 19, 2004 Fuck a bunch of that. Bad experience as a teen. I just crank up the lighter, and wait for them to land. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EricMM 0 Report post Posted May 23, 2004 Is it me or have these things got a LOT louder this weekend? I'm having to kill them because they're sitting on my window's exterior, keeping me AWAKE!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Tyler; Captain America 0 Report post Posted May 23, 2004 Around my house, you have to shout just to have the other person hear you over their incessant yapping. Time to get mah shawtgun! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted May 23, 2004 these things are fucking EVERYWHERE here in Northern VA, right outside of D.C. Are you serious? I'm in Arlington, about 5 minutes outside DC, and I've yet to see or hear a single one. Head over a few miles into Falls Church. They were so loud today that they literally sounded like a siren going off. It's probably Bush's fault. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
