| MadSci Network: Zoology |
Since you were gone during the outbreak, you found out from friends that they did not appear. However, a check on the Periodical Cicada Page of the University of Michigan indicate reports of their emergence in Pennsylvania. So they did appear, though perhaps not in the numbers that were expected - hence no news reports. Sometimes due to local weather conditions, growth may be slowed down, resulting in "straggling" (meaning emergence the following year). So maybe there will be some emerging in the next year. Pesticides may also be a factor. Another thing to investigate is to contact your local/state agricultural extention officer in your area. They would know of any small or under reported outbreaks. One other point is that cicadas when they emerge they come up from the ground after having grown up under the ground at the base of trees. If your area is very urban with no trees there would be no cicadas to emerge. Please check out the Pennsylvania department of Conservation site regarding the sightings that have been reported. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/leaflets/broodx.aspx Periodical Cicada page at University of Michigan http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/fauna/michigan_cicadas/Michigan/Index.html
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