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Locusts are grasshoppers. The insects you saw, sometimes called "17-year locusts," aren't really locusts at all, but cicadas. Cicadas, it turns out, come in several species; the most conspicuous of which are members of the Magicicada genus, also known as "periodical" cicadas. These insects live for 17 years (or in some species, 13 years), but only make one single, group appearance during their lifetime. Here's the basic cicada life cycle: Hatch from eggs laid in tree branches; drop to the ground, burrow about a foot deep; hang out for 17 (or 13) years; climb back to the surface; fly around, make a lot of noise, mate and die. Rinse, repeat, ad infinitum. This summer, cicada "broods" are surfacing in Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and, as you've already noticed, Pennsylvania. Next
year, they're scheduled to make appearances in North and South Carolina, and your home state of Georgia. To find out more about these lovable loudmouths, just check out the Yahoo! Cicadas category (under Animals > Insects). Start with a nice scientific overview of the periodical cicada from the University of Michigan, complete with photos, sound clips, and a table of brood schedules. Another useful site, Cicada Mania offers everything from a cicada identifier to cicada email postcards. Plus, this particular resource is a great place to follow coverage of
current cicada "emergences." Finally, check Cicada Mania's well-stocked Links section for a whole host of other cicada sites.
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