The Washington times., 1902-05-28
The Seventeen-Year Vari-
ETY. Again Appears in
Washington,
MYRIADS AT CHEVY CHASE
Many Seen in Rock Creek Park and IN
the Vicinity-Scientists Claim That
the Insects Do Very Little Harm
Remain Short Time Only.

The chirp OF the scventecn-year To-
Gust is again heard. The insects have
arrived on time. In the woods and
Aelds out toward Chevy Chase. ana
much in eviGcnce. In six weeks they
will be gone for another seventeen years.
There is a story behind the period;
cal coming of the locust. deep in inter
est, and puzzling to those not vcrsed in
the science of entomology. 1t traces
the origin of the locust species: its
gradual development through seventeen
years Of incubation, until the insect
throws oil Its covering Of earth. and
appears in the woods and fields. it deals
with the different breeds OF locusts.
which are enormously so called: not in
fact being locrsts AT all. II makes man
ifest the relation of climatic conditions
10 the growth of the insect. showing two
distinct varieties of locusts. so called.
known to science as the cicada septen
declm. II determines the habits and
characteristics of the cicada, and delves
far down into its history. bringing forth
the probabilities of its future existence.
In the first place what is commonly
called the seyentcen-year locust is not
q locust" at all. The word locust,
taken scientifically, is applied only to
grasshoppers and closely allied species.
Still the cicada bears a resemblance to
the ordinary locust, although it is easily
distinguished by its habits, growth, and
transformations.
Distinctly American.
The seventeen-year cicada is distinct
ly American. and because of its long
life. almost entirely spent underground,
bears an interest peculiar 10 the insect
kingdom. No other known insect lives
SO long. The subterranean life of the ci-
cada is one of slow. gradual growth,
and Of nourishmcnt taken at lcng inter
walls, mainly from the roots of trees and
plants. In the winter. the insect bur
rows deep into tie earth to avoid the
cold, and in hot weather he sleeps but
q few inches or a foot below the sur
face. His burrow is of his own making.
md as the years go by this hole or den
is enlarged by the growth and industry
of the insect.
Sometime far back in the centuries the
cicada, scientists believe, had its origin
on this continent. and then but sim
gle brood came into existence. During
the aces which have since passed, and
owing. ii is supposed, TO changes in eli
matte. Topographic. and geographic con-
dtions. ihe insect has become scattered
~ ha Nd 10
of its periodical appearance have under
gone a marked change. Thus, there are
now two distinct races Of the cicada. the
one in these parts being of the seven
teen-year variety. while in the Sunny
Southland there is a separate race. and
it's period of incubation is but thirteen
years. So Ii is that the coming o. the
locust is expected every thirteen
years in the States along the Gulf, and
four years later where the cold delays
the incubation of the insect.
Will Die in July.
Early in July the present invasion of
the cicada will pass into history. But
before the locusts give their lives, and
fall exhausted to the earth to die, r.i-
ions Of tiny eggs viii be deposited on
the holes of the ground. where they
will hatch within two months into crea-
tures of the most minute description.
These "locusts" or. strictly speaking.
the larva from the eggs, once Matched,
falls to the ground, and before cold
weather sets in the tiny insects will
burrow deep into the earth to find a
resting place for seventeen years.
There they will grow and develop. feed
ing at long intervals, until time bids
them bestil themselves and dig out
OF the ground for the brief period OF
their existence.
Long study of these creatures and
their habits goes far to prove that the
damage done by them has been eXag
eeratcd by reports, especially from the
forming districts. During seventeen
years, while the insects live under
ground, they feed on roots, but at such
long intervals and in such minute guam
titles that the total substance destroyed
BY them IS not actually alarming, even
where the species thrives in great num-
hers. And It seems to be a fact that
the species is gradually growing weaker.
as the centuries go by; SO that farmers
ane others vitality interested may no
longer dread the visit OF the "locusts"
o. q menace TO crops.
II is a remarkable feature OF the ci-
cada. and not generally known. that
every year brings these insects TO some
part OF the United States. Thus. during
1888. the species appeared after seven
teen years, mostly in Southern Illinois. 1
Al ,-.t