Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-04-21
THE SEVENTEEN YEAR LOCUST

Two important broods Of the periodical
cicada-the 1s-year and l7-year locust
are due to appear during 1911. in different
parts of the United States.
One of these, the 17-year race extends
from New York southwark into North
Carolina, in general. lying east Of the
Allegheny mountains. The 13-year race
covers the lower half of the Mississippi
Valley.
Both of these broods have been very
carefully studied in past years and their
distribution has been, in the main, prob
ably accurately determined, The APP
preaching temperance. however, of
these broods of cicada has lead to in
quiries, and circulars have been issued
by the government and also the expert
ment stations of various states, to meet
these inquiries, and also for the purpose
of securing reports of occurrence to add
to the present knowledge Of the distri-
button OF these broods.
The 17-year is one of the best recorded
broods, sinct its almost exclusive eastern
range brings IL into the immediate vi
cinity of the larger towns and more pop
ulated districts of the Atlantic coast. 1t
has been reported in Connecticut regu-
larly every II years since IVA and In
New Jersey since lai5. and almost equally
long records of its regular visits in other
states have been made. Its last appear
ance was in 1894. although a scattering
brood appeared in 1910.
According TO a circular of warning
issued by the New Jersey experiment
station. these insects will appear during
the last days of May, 1911, and will con-
tinue throughout June; disappearing by
the end Of the month. The injury is done
by the females in laying the eggs in
twigs ana small branches, making Sits
that do not heal. These result in the
ultimate death beyond the point OF In
jury of every punctured branch less than
one-half an inch in diameter. and, where
there are many punctures on the trunks
OF small trees or on branches up to
three-quarter inch, these are apt to be
seriously injured or killed.
Farmers, fruit-growers and others who
contemplate setting out trees or shrubs
this spring. in the infested areas, are
warned of the danger of injury from
these Cicadas. II trees or shrubs must
be set. put out either very small trees
and cut back severely. so as not TO offer
attractions TO the insects. or set large
trees with many branches and cut back
no more than absolutely necessary until
after July /, so as to offer the insects a
chance 10 oviposit in wood that can be
spared. Burn all the cut infested wood.
In established young orchards or
other plantations, do not prune more
than necessary, so as to distribute any
injury that may be caused. On large
trees no appreciable injury will be noted,
but there may be a serious cutting of the
crops borne on small shoots and branches.
There is no way of poisoning the insects
for they do practically no feeding, and
Il. - a a. IL
them. All insectivorous birds feed freely
on these Cicadas, and so does the ordi-
nary farm poultry of all kinds. Sparrows
take a malicious delight IN tearing them
to pieces. and little damage need be ex-
pected where these birds occur In large
numbers.
The 13-year race which viii appear this
year will extend from southern Illinois
ana northern Missouri to Louisiana, COW
ering practically all the states bordering
on the Mississippi river. This brood was
given very careful study in 1898. when
the insects appeared in enormous num-
bers.
4e periodical clcada is so well known
that a general account of il is unneces-
sary. When II appears in great numbers
II naturally causes considerable alarm
and arouses fears for the safety of shade
trees and orchards.
Ordinary repelient substances such as
kerosene emulsion or corbolic acid solu-
tions. seem TO have very attle effect In