It’s That ANDY ANDREWS Lancaster Farming Staff LANCASTER (Lancaster Co.) It’s not a lunar eclipse or a new comet streaking across the sky. although it is something that hap pens only once in 17 years. It’s not something particularly frightening to a farmer and doesn’t have any earth-shattering implica tions for those who care for lives tock or horticultural crops. But the 17-year periodical cica das are back. The what? That’s right. The long-legged, big-winged insects that make a sort of extended, slicing, chirping sound in the trees on summer even ings aren’t the infamous locusts that people sometimes mistake them for. They’re simply called cicadas (pronounced si-KAY-das ). That particular rasping sound identifies them. But why the sound? According to Dr. Tim Elkner, Lancaster County extension agent, the sound you hear is the male mat ing call, dying to attract females IT CAN HANDLE TOUGH CHORES IN STIHL TERRITORY. 029 STIHL FARM BOSS * Available at these servicing dealers AbbQttsigwn JjuMsjawn Rising Sun MP MEBSICK EQUIPMENT MOUNTAIN DENNY'S MOWER hd 01 Box 265 A ENTERPRISES, INC. SERVICE 717-259-6617 Ht. 72 South jaoßlooxHWwm Alrville 7i7-»oa-2WM 410-658-6267 HU Ylllg ■lf If,/I akannn WOODBINE MOWER & SAW CO. 1255 Woodbine Rd. 717-662-3271 TRI-BORO CONCRETE, INC. 435 Locum St. 717-246-3095 1-900-632-9016 East Earl GOODS LAWN & GARDEN CENTER Route 23 717-354-4026 Ext. 34 Elizabethtown MESSICK FARM EQUIPMENT, INC. RhMmt Exll-Rl. 253 717-387-1311,717-853-B*B7 Eohrata WES STAUFFER ENGINES & EQUIPMENT 23 rniuant VdlMy Rd. 717-7344215 HOLLINQER'S LAWN & Ephrata, Pa. 1 |VAN MARTIN'S Harahay, PA ”££££ SA «* S £™f E Gap Reading GAP POWER HAFER'S NURSERY A . 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What happens is that the female, using the blades of a saw-like device on her abdomen, cuts sever al small pockets in the bark of a twig before depositing 400-600 eggs. This process can cause small limbs or seedlings to wilt and may provide an opening for disease. The adults live only about four weeks above ground. But the twig • Excellent power to weight-ratio •3.3 cu. in. engine • Lifetime ignition warranty STIHL Number One Worldwide BOMBERQER'S LAWN & GARDEN Lltltz; 717-626-3301 Lsbanon: 717-272-4155 Lovsvllle/Carlisle 2M,, “?5: m » ,Rt : 23 GUTSHALL’S INC. AlonB 772 ™ Mom,r *7 Loycvlllc- PA-Ccrtlalc 717-769-4343 717-249-2313 SChaefferStOWll _ . . MARTIN HARDWARE & WffQfg EQUIPMENT CO. ENFIELD EQUIPMENT "• soi i ifl Mile South oi MOO Urn*.ton* Rd *s^£Sl7 610-932-9658 717-949-5517 Palmyra Shartlasvllle HERR :®"| PA,R MOUNTAINS RD 2 Box 11SA SUPPLY. INC. 717-635-1549 <F^££T'* Palmyra WEAVER'S LAWN It GARDEN 740 W. Main St 717-S3S-5959 ShlDoenabura LEINBACH Poach Bottom A.K. SAW SHOP ""SSmSvT 214 Pwoh lottom Ho«d injury they cause may be apparent for several years. Periodical cicadas are some times called nature’s pruners, since they cause the death of small branches on trees. But for the older, larger oak trees and such, the only concern would be that, once the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow underground and literally feed off the roots. Cicada nymphs spend 17 years from 2-24 inches underground, sucking nutrients from plant roots. The larvae actually stay under ground for 17 years! On some occasions, the adult cicada sucks flud from small twigs but does not feed on leaves. The adult cicadas are clumsy fliers, often colliding with objects in flight. The sound they make is their most distinctive call, and occurs from dawn until dusk. Cicadas are completely harm less to humans, don’t bite or sting, and are not poisonous. They ha\e' natural enemies, however moles eat the immature cicadas Ronks A a B SALES & SERVICE 370 Newport Roed P.0.80x (2* SlO-4M-102S Tamaaua CHARLES S. SNYDER, INC. no 3 717*396-8945 l&t Woodman’s Canvas Sheath $7.50 Dealer Inquires Invited 610-296-7501 during their long stay under wl Birds ill Both male and female 17-year cicadas measure about 11/*I 1 /* long. They are similar to the more common annual cica das, the Dogday Harvestflies, which are actually larger, measuring up to about l'/« Inches, according to Elkner. There are actually about six species of periodical cicadas, three with a 17-year cycle and three with a 13-year cycle. I» r 1 t! 1 1/ i Jj I Lancaster Farming, Saturday, June 22, 1996-A27 adults. A wasp, called the cicada kill* ->the r redaf Brush Out Fence Lines Blaze Trails Clear Around Buildings Build Hunting Blinds Selective tiimming close to buildings is easy. The innovative sickle hook lets you get right down to ground level. 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