Cicada Journals June 2004
The month of June in Massachusetts didn't go too well as far as hunting Cicadas. However, I can tell you that the mosquitos were out in full force!!
Cicadas rarely emerge during this month with the exception of Okanagana rimosa and canadensis. Even though these are not of the Tibicen species, they still are known to be among the Massachusetts specimens and emerge earlier than Tibicens so I decided to hunt for them. Okanagana rimosa and canadensis are what is known as Proto-periodical. Studies have been done that show that Okanagana rimosa, which has a life cycle of 9 years can be found in abundance every 4 years and be virtually non-existant in the other 5.
This month ended up being the month to target different areas in Massachusetts for my later hunts during the month of July. The places I visited are listed below:
Southwell Field - North Chelmsford, MA.
This place has two nature trails that wind their way along the Merrimack River. There's a boat launch and several baseball/softball fields including rest rooms. There is even a public boat launch. Has a mix of pine and deciduous trees.
Chelmsford High School - Chelmsford, MA.
Another area with lots of woodlands bordered by open baseball and soccer fields. I figure this would be an ideal hunting ground. Has large old pine trees as well as deciduous trees.
I only targeted these two areas because my hunts were mostly unsuccessful. I decided that I would not hunt for cicadas during this month until I started hearing Cicadas calling in the trees which ended up not happening til July.
