There is quite a buzz in the air, no pun intended, as the 17-year life cycle of the cicada is coming to the entire east coast of the United States. Strangely enough, I have witnessed this unusual phenomena four times in my lifetime, so it is not so alien to me.

The emergence of the red-eyed, green-bodied insects will occur in our area most likely in late May as the ground temperatures reach 64 degrees or higher. That frosty weather we gripe about puts off the inevitable emergence of the Brood II periodic cicada.

The cicada is of no significant concern to humans other than a nuisance with their appearance, shrill buzzing and shear numbers. I recall picking them up as a kid behind the wings and chasing the girls in the neighborhood. It was cheap entertainment … I was 8 or 9 at the time and learned very quickly they were harmless.

A whole generation or more of youth have never witnessed this experience and I will help all of you future biology class geeks with this tip — freeze a few for your upcoming bug collection in the fall semester, it may be bonus points!

One thing I also observed was these insects didn’t eat anything while they were around, they just chased each other. They have been eating roots and plant life underground for 17 years and now emerge from underground to seek out mates for the four-to-six week period they are visible to us.

One of the side effects of the swarmageddon is that wildlife loves this critter. Turkeys, bears and all other sorts of fauna will feast on the noisy, red-eyed bug. Protein levels are reported to be extremely high with these juicy bugs and there are even all kinds of human food recipes from soup to candy tested and recommended. Chocolate covered cicada for your Memorial Day gathering could be the buzz of the neighborhood.

For myself I will probably pass on the snacks as the wings will most likely stick in my teeth. What a social faux pas! I will also bet that the cicada would make a great fish lure if presented on some local waters, as well. The rapid strumming of their wings would be irresistible as a top water presentation … try it!

The male of the Magicicada periodical cicada is the one that makes the most noise when he emerges. This is done with the flexing of the tymbals which are drum-like organs found in their abdomens. Small muscles rapidly pull the tymbals in and out like a child’s click toy and is mostly intensified by the male’s mostly hollow abdomen. The females flick their wings and make a lighter buzzing sound to attract their mates. The sheer numbers of a million — no maybe a billion — cicadas buzzing are enough to get anyone’s attention.

An interesting observation will be the cicada shells found clinging on trees and shrubbery around a home. It will look like a brown alien armor that has been shed on the spot. Well, that’s because it is armor shed right on the spot! The back will be split open and the fresh green insect will emerge and flex its wings for the first time.

At this point the cicada is most vulnerable as they are very soft and tender. They will air harden in a few hours and start their search for a mate. They will have four-to-six weeks to be successful until their life cycle expires. Many will be successful and the next cycle of the cicada will have begun.

Jay Hewitt is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle.