Cicadas

[Busguy2010]

Oh my God! They sound terrifying. I've never seen one before but I have a real insect phobia, and now I am scared to death about moving to Omaha in a few weeks.

One of them flew into my head last year. Felt pretty heavy. They do pass through your airspace on rare occasions, pretty gross insects, but are harmless. Mostly stay in trees.

I wanna say they sound like they're calming down already.

[Furious_Rose]

I think I'll wear a full beekeepers outfit so I'll be safe

[Omaha Cowboy]

I think I'll wear a full beekeepers outfit so I'll be safe

Naw, lol. You won’t have anything to worry about...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Busguy2010]

I think I'll wear a full beekeepers outfit so I'll be safe

Naw, lol. You won’t have anything to worry about...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

We don't have it bad in Omaha. I remember the first time I went to Tulsa Oklahoma, the spiders in the trees were huge! Probably the size of a golf ball. And I was camping. Was late June. Then another time I stopped on the side of a gravel road to take a P and there was a straight up Tarantula siting next to the road. My first time ever seeing a Tarantula just minding my own business in Oklahoma. Seems like the further south you go, the crazier the insects get.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I think I'll wear a full beekeepers outfit so I'll be safe

Naw, lol. You won’t have anything to worry about...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

We don't have it bad in Omaha. I remember the first time I went to Tulsa Oklahoma, the spiders in the trees were huge! Probably the size of a golf ball. And I was camping. Was late June. Then another time I stopped on the side of a gravel road to take a P and there was a straight up Tarantula siting next to the road. My first time ever seeing a Tarantula just minding my own business in Oklahoma. Seems like the further south you go, the crazier the insects get.

You’re not wrong about Oklahoma. If you hate bugs, you definitely don’t want to live in the Sooner state...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[NUub]

Just don't go to Austin Texas then-

[Omahacritic]

At night you learn to walk with a “wave”. Constantly sweeping your arm back and forth to detect webs.

[Busguy2010]

At night you learn to walk with a “wave”. Constantly sweeping your arm back and forth to detect webs.

Yep, been there plenty of times. Wave your stretched arm in front of you so you don't walk into a giant spider in it's giant web.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Just don't go to Austin Texas then-

Never had problems with bugs in my 2nd home city (home away from home)- Beautiful Dallas, Texas ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Coyote]

Brood X is coming: Billions of cicadas set to swarm parts of 15 states, DC in just a few weeks

It's a debut that's been 17 years in the making, and in a matter of weeks, it's one that will grab the attention of millions of Americans.

Billions of periodical cicadas will emerge across 15 states and Washington, D.C., with some possibly coming out as early as late-April or the first week of May, said Gene Kritsky, a periodical cicada expert and dean of Behavioral and Natural Sciences at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Brood X is coming: Billions of cicadas set to swarm parts of 15 states, DC in just a few weeks

It's a debut that's been 17 years in the making, and in a matter of weeks, it's one that will grab the attention of millions of Americans.

Billions of periodical cicadas will emerge across 15 states and Washington, D.C., with some possibly coming out as early as late-April or the first week of May, said Gene Kritsky, a periodical cicada expert and dean of Behavioral and Natural Sciences at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati.

I remember last year, hearing Cicadas as early as the last week of June..I wonder if we’ll start hearing them in Eastern Nebraska as early as mid May ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[BRoss]

Luckily Brood X only affects the eastern states.

[Louie]

Luckily Brood X only affects the eastern states.

Indeed, however the 1 year cicadas will still be present for some of the summer.

[Busguy2010]

I just heard my first cicada of the year.

[Busguy2010]

I heard just one on Monday, two days later, last night, I heard multiples. They are starting to come on.

[guy4omaha]

japanese beetles too.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Definitely hearing Cicadas this evening..

Plus, I’ve noticed the usual Cicada Killer wasps flying around for a few days now…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[ChadJK]

I believe we're primarily affected by Brood IV which is next expected in 2032.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I believe we're primarily affected by Brood IV which is next expected in 2032.

If that’s the case, the Cicada Killer Wasps will have a field day…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Busguy2010]

Not cicada related, just wanted to say generally incect-wise, the skeeters have been pretty benign again in 2021. After being almost non-existant in 2020, I almost expected them to make a big comeback. But with it being so dry last year, I can see why they again have been pretty limited. Maybe with the wetness we've had this year, the skeeters might make a comeback in 2022.

[Louie]

Not cicada related, just wanted to say generally incect-wise, the skeeters have been pretty benign again in 2021. After being almost non-existant in 2020, I almost expected them to make a big comeback. But with it being so dry last year, I can see why they again have been pretty limited. Maybe with the wetness we've had this year, the skeeters might make a comeback in 2022.

Skeeters have definitely been calm this year, also the gnats have been less crazy, too.

[GrandpaaSmucker]

The Asian beetles have been way down this year too. I have found a couple on my vegetable plants and killed them right away and have not seen many more. Last year and the year before the Asian beetles destroyed my plants.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I think all of you are right..

We have Cicadas for sure this year. Another insect that I’ve actually seen more this year, are those dang, aggressive Black Wasps- they love to sting for no reason either …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Busguy2010]

Another insect that I’ve actually seen more this year, are those dang, aggressive Black Wasps

I actually had them pretty heavy around my house last year, but this year, they're definitely around, but they don't act like they own the place like they did last year. Definitely have to credit the things I did to fill gaps in the retaining wall.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Another insect that I’ve actually seen more this year, are those dang, aggressive Black Wasps

I actually had them pretty heavy around my house last year, but this year, they're definitely around, but they don't act like they own the place like they did last year. Definitely have to credit the things I did to fill gaps in the retaining wall.

Yeah- I wouldn’t mind them so much, but they’re very aggressive. They just sting without much provocation.. They’ll be dealt with accordingly..

Cicada Killer wasps I don’t mind at all- they’re just big and scary at first, but won’t sting..they’re all about their Cicadas, lol…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Busguy2010]

Is it just me, or have the Cicadas been pretty light this year? I've definitely heard them some nights, but its nothing like I usually expect. I really didn't hear them for the first time until like two weeks ago, whereas the last couple years, they came out in June, and heavy. You knew they were there. This year I'm almost wondering where they are.

As far as other insects, I've noticed that Japanese Beetles are pretty heavy. I set out a trap and in one day I caught about a good pound of them. Mosquitos are a bit more prominent than last year when they were nearly non-existent, but still not bad. The black wasps are not so bad around my property this year, however, I did do a fun mitigation project a couple months ago... Apparently if you make a fake hornet nest and hang it, the lesser stinging insects will be scared shifless and wont set up shop anywhere near it. So I had a little fun and made a paper mache hornet nest and hung it on a tree near where the black wasps usually hang out. And honestly, that might be why I'm barely dealing with those aggressive black wasps.

[BRoss]

Is it just me, or have the Cicadas been pretty light this year?

I hadn't heard or seen them until the last week or so. They have started showing up on my back patio and they are pretty loud right now.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Is it just me, or have the Cicadas been pretty light this year?

Apparently if you make a fake hornet nest and hang it, the lesser stinging insects will be scared shifless and wont set up shop anywhere near it. So I had a little fun and made a paper mache hornet nest and hung it on a tree near where the black wasps usually hang out. And honestly, that might be why I'm barely dealing with those aggressive black wasps.

I started hearing Cicadas, albeit minimally, the end of June first part of July..I’m certain they’ll start ramping up in numbers as we get closer to the beginning of August..

And interesting- I might try the fake Hornets nest idea. I have the usual black wasps attempting to intimidate. Luckily, it’s just a minimal number- but they’re nasty and will sting without much provoking…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Busguy2010]

And interesting- I might try the fake Hornets nest idea. I have the usual black wasps attempting to intimidate. Luckily, it’s just a minimal number- but they’re nasty and will sting without much provoking…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Its definitely worth a shot. Its kinda fun cause you're playing a mental game with your nemesis the black wasps, and so far, I think it is working. I still see them occasionally, but just in passing. They haven't set up shop here like they usually do. Its kinda goofy feeling, but its fun in a way that the last time I made a paper mache anything I was probably six years old. I definitely encourage everyone to try it.

[ChadJK]

[Coyote]

Did I miss the cicadas this year, or have I been in the Hospital too long?

[Busguy2010]

Did I miss the cicadas this year, or have I been in the Hospital too long?

LOL... I'm NOT lying here, now seeing your post, it was pretty much EXACTLY 12:00pm today, I saw and heard a Cicada whirling around my airspace. They're pretty predictable when they attack you. They make this weird noise and then they dive bomb you. I gave it a verbal warning "DON'T DO IT", and guess what? It dive bombed me and hit me right in the temple.

I'm just astounded that happened and I come here to see you posted at no joke, the EXACT moment I was attacked by a Cicada.

But to more thoroughly answer your question, they are definitely out. They took a bit longer to come on, and they haven't been super strong. But as the days go on, I'm getting a bit tired of hearing them. Your hearing isn't as sharp because there's this constant droning in the background. Just this morning I was wondering when do the bugs shut up?

Scientifically, do they quiet down when it gets cooler, or does it have to freeze? I can't believe I never asked myself this question, or noticed at all.

[Busguy2010]

First, since there is a lot of other insect discussion, might I suggest renaming this thread to something like "Cicadas, Stinging Insects, Mosquitos, Spiders, etc."

I noticed that the Orb Weavers are back around my house. After a couple years of not dealing with them, they are back, though not heavily. I've been going out to my raspberry bushes every day to eat, and one set up shop between them and the fence. Today I walked right into it's web and it quickly scurried up my chest, and man I freaked. That thing was almost the size of a quarter. I've still got shivers. I hate those spiders. They always seem to set up in walkways. I can't be the only one to notice this.

I did a little research and apparently what we have around here is called the "Marbled Orb Weaver" https://usaspiders.com/araneus-marmoreu ... rb-weaver/. And one really really weird thing I discovered about them a couple years ago that I never knew, was that they get larger and turn orange as it gets colder. In my case, I was at Hummel Park and it was probably late November. As I was wrapping up my afternoon, sleet was falling, it was probably about 34 degrees. And man, it was incredible(y gross) as I was making my trek back to my truck, probably at least a dozen of these big orange Orb Weavers were just dropping from the trees in front of me. I really think that was their final action, to get to the ground, to die, or what. It was gross, but fascinating.

Anybody else have any unpleasant experiences with the Marbled Orb Weaver?

[ShawJ]

Orb weavers are a large family of spiders and we have a lot of different types in Omaha! Garden spiders, for example, are orb weavers. I've noticed a decent amount this year, but nothing compares to maybe 2011ish? I couldn't walk outside without hitting one that year.

[Busguy2010]

Orb weavers are a large family of spiders and we have a lot of different types in Omaha! Garden spiders, for example, are orb weavers. I've noticed a decent amount this year, but nothing compares to maybe 2011ish? I couldn't walk outside without hitting one that year.

Hey check that out! The specific one I believe which is the right one is the Marbled Orb Weaver. That's the one I believe sets up shop often in walkways around houses. They get pretty big and that's the one I am talking about.

But yes, the other one I saw that get really huge are the garden spiders. Thankfully I've never had any around my house, but I've been to Mahoney State Park a couple years ago and unfortunately found myself walking through a field of tallgrass around this time of year, and those garden spiders were bountiful. It was terrifying trying to get out of that situation.

I agree, the Marbled Orb Weaver seemed more plentiful several years ago.

[Habits76]

This guy was in my landscaping a few years back, I had never seen one this color before.

[Busguy2010]

This guy was in my landscaping a few years back, I had never seen one this color before.

When I see them, they are just gray and brown. As I read, they turn orange and get really fat as temperatures cool and it gets late in the year. The only time I ever saw them orange and fat was that one late November evening at Hummel when they were dropping from the tree canopy. That was weird, I still haven't figured out why they do that.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Did I miss the cicadas this year, or have I been in the Hospital too long?

I heard them pretty strongly this past Saturday evening when I was sitting outside..Definitely still going even though it’s the last few days of September…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Coyote]

Billions of cicadas will emerge in the U.S. this year in a rare double-brood even

It’s official: 2024 belongs to the cicadas. This spring, two different broods of cicadas — one that lives on a 13-year cycle and the other that lives on a 17-year cycle — will emerge at the same time from underground in a rare, synchronized event that last occurred in 1803.

After 2024, Brood XIII and Brood XIX cicadas won’t sync up their emergences again for another 221 years. These types of cicadas are periodical insects that spend most of their lives underground feeding on tree roots. After 13 years or 17 years, depending on their brood, the cicadas will tunnel to the surface to reach maturity and engage in a monthlong, noisy search for a mate. Cicadas typically surface in the spring once soil reaches a temperature of around 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

[Renovator2559]

Very interesting on these fascinating creatures; I can't wait to see the Total Eclipse and watch for signs of Cicadas.

For those that have never seen an eclipse in person; you should totally see this.
The light of the eclipse is one of the most unique lights; like a glistening diamond.