Depending on which New Jersey town you live in, the current cicada infestation is more prominent than others.  In fact, residents in Princeton are getting the brunt of it.  Thousands of these red-eyed flying objects have released themselves after 17 years underground and invaded most of Mercer County.  Their unwelcomed arrival has created anxiety among the natives, say nothing of their annoying collective noise.  That said, I apparently had cicadas living in my neighborhood prior to this year.

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The last 2 summers we were dealing with insects called cicada killers.  These ominous-looking wasps began to appear and hover throughout our backyard.  As we quickly learned, these giant hornet-like pests were more aggressive towards their prey than us.  The male Cicada killers are not known to sting.  Their job is to hover and patrol the nesting areas.  While the females, who will sting if provoked, not only prepare a nest by digging a burrow in the ground but they are the hunters.

Chuck Freeman
Chuck Freeman
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As the males watch over, the females locate cicadas in the brush and strike and immobilize their prey with a paralyzing sting.  She then flies her kill back to the nest.  What’s amazing is her ability to carry a cicada that sometimes could be heavier than the wasp itself.

Rich DeSisto
Rich DeSisto
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As some deal with the current cicada arrival, my neighborhood is not.  Surprisingly, and thankfully, we are part of the geographic map where the infestation is minimal at best.  No flying, no buzzing, no anxiety.  Perhaps you or someone you know is not so lucky.

Here is a map showing the areas where the cicada uprising has occurred...

Gene Kritsky |Mount St Joseph University
Gene Kritsky |Mount St Joseph University
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According to the New Jersey of Agriculture, more NJ counties than others have been affected. Here’s more

Look out for these invasive species in NJ

 

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