The din of periodic cicadas is filling our ears but, except for tender growth on small trees, they are relatively harmless and only live a few weeks. They are not poisonous, they do not sting, they only sing. Birds, especially ducks will fatten on them.
Magicicada, known as 17-year locust, aren't really locust and experts say that they don't eat anything except tree bark. Large trees will probably show a lot of brown leaves this summer due to the damage but they normally recover completely according to University of Mich. Entomologists.They are so loud because there can be 10,000 or more on a single acre. Since they only emerge at long intervals they tend not to have many natural enemies or diseases to control them.Brood VIII (MAP), is emerging this year in Western Pennsylvania and parts of Ohio and will return in 2019. Jefferson County is on the extreme eastern edge of this swarm.Other 17-year broods follow these schedules:Brood X (extreme Southeastern PA) will emerge in 2004.Brood XIV (Central PA, including Jefferson County) in 2008.Brood II (Eastern PA) in 2013.Brood V (extreme Western PA) in 2016.About the only thing you can do to deal with the infestation, other than waiting it out, is to avoid large-scale new tree and shrub plantings until the swarm has passed or cover small new plants with netting.John McCormick, Perry Township Emergency Management
