In 2011, parts of South Carolina will experience a major emergence of 13-year periodical cicadas. These are some of the longest-lived insects in North America. In the1985 emergence, the adults began to emerge around April 21 in Saluda and Abbeville counties. Cold weather delayed emergence in 1998 and it was less spectacular than in 1985. Since 1998 the young cicadas have been below ground sucking sap from roots. We expect emergence in late April and early May.
You can log your observations here about the 13-year periodical cicada, also known in South Carolina as the Great Southern Brood or Brood XIX. For general comments or observations please post a comment on the sighting page. For questions, please post your inquiry under the questions page.
To help use keep a specific record of your sightings, please also fill out the form page. This information will be emailed directly to us to be used in our database. Your name and specific address will not be shared with the public.
Information found on this blog can be accessed in printer-friendly format at http://entweb.clemson.edu/eiis/pdfs/to10.pdf.
You can also find more information on these fascinating critters on the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology website:http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/fauna/michigan_cicadas/periodical/index.html
