The Wilmingtonian., 1885-05-30
ADVERTISING RATES:
CICADA sEPTEMDECIM.


in 1868, the year of the latest appearance of
that insect in this neighborhood.
The insects are to great degree discolor-
ed, on account, of course, of their seventeen
years alcoholic bath, but otherwise their
form and appearance are in a very good state
of preservation, aud afford abundantly suf-
ficient evidence to identify the newly ex-
pected generation.
Comparison with the so-called locust
picked up on Market street last Saturday
night, and supposed by general opinion to
be the avant-garde of the grand army of
the seventeen years, easily disposes of that
insects claims to distinction. The first of
the season has yet to come or at least to ex-
hibit himself. On investigation, the insect
referred to as picked up on Market street
last Saturday, turns out to be the "Belos-
toma Grisea, large water-bug, indeed the
most gigantic of all its extensive family.
The specimen referred to, which the writer
has in his possession is splendid sample.
1t measures from eyes to tip of tail 2t inches
and from tip to tip of its extended sheath
wings over A inches.
1t is of a uniform dun color with six i'm
mensely strong legs whose terminal points
are armed with two incurved barbs very
sharp and strong. The general appearance
of the @. Septemdecim and the water-bup
are so dissimilar that any who have ever
seen them could not confound the two
insects again
The writer has before him specimen of
the annual locust, which bears a certain
general resemblance to his septemde,imal
cousin, the latter, however, having generally
greater brilliancy of marking and is little
more than half the size of the for.
mer.
The common grasshopper is entirely diff.
ferent from either of the above.
- The body of-the seventeen year loeust is
of dark color. The eyes are prominent
and red. The wings are beautiful trans.
parent gauze and are traversed lengthwise
by fine yellow lines or ribs radiating from
the shoulders. The lower of these lines, Oh
those on the outside edge of the wings, are
more pronounced in color and size. The
wings extend half the length of the body
beyond the tip of the abdomen, which latter
has shape something similar to that of the
ordinary bumble-bee except that the belly
is more prominent, and the tail more taper
ing. 1t has three pairs of legs, no antennae,
or at least only rudimentary ones, and a
soft, plant, proboscis.
The first evidence of locust seen is the
shell OK chrysalis, which is horny semi
transparent object of dull parchment col
or. 1t is little less in size than the mature
insect. This is perceived clinging to the
lower limbs and trunks of trees or upon the
ground about their roots.
The eggs are laid in the younger and more
succulent branches of trees, are Matched out.
and the grub, dropping upon the ground i'm,
mediately commences digging its way into
the earth, making an almost perpendicular
decent. There, from ten to twelve inches
under ground, this strange insect lies for
seventeen years.
After that long term of bnrial, as soon a,
the warmth of the summers sun has pene
trated its grave, it awakes and works It's
way gradually to the surface of the earth
The insects then attach themselves to tn,
trunk or branches of the nearest tree
though some species of tree like the oak
seem to gain a preference while others, O
the coniferous family, are avoided as a har
borage.
The warm sun of June morning act
upon the chrysalis SO that it opens by Ion
gitudinal crack along the centre of the back
disclosing the insect, which soon emerges
and, extending its wings makes its first ap
pearance as mature locust. This las
operation of development under usually ia
voraole circumstances occupies about tw,
hours.
1t is very handsome insect and entirel
harmless. 1t does not sting and may b.
handled without fear.
The seventeen year locust has the inevita
BILE "W" marked upon its back, but not $,
distinctly marked as the annual locust.
Its cry is broken monotonous chirp, no
so heightened or sonorous as that of the an
nual locust whose song commences in 9
clear cresoendo, and rising falls to diminu
endo' The note of septemdecim has beer
commonly initiated by the words ''Pharaoh
Pharaoh, repeated in monotone. Thes,
insects thoughin the season seen almost
everywhere, are found frequenting usually
tho edge of a wood with southern expos,
ure.
There they may be seen in myriads, the
branches of the trees black with their mum.
hers, 1t isnot SO destructive to vegetable
life as the common locust or grasshopper,
and does not appear ip large cloud,AightG in