Cicadas: The Texas Tease
So, you're wondering when those pesky, party-loving bugs known as cicadas are going to grace us with their... ahem melodious presence in Texas? Well, buckle up, because this is going to be a wild ride.
The Cicada Conundrum
Let's get one thing straight: Texas is not exactly a cicada hotspot. We've got scorpions, rattlesnakes, and the occasional tumbleweed, but cicadas? They're more of a "drop-in" than a "resident."
You see, there are two types of cicadas: the annual ones, who are basically the life of the party, showing up every summer to annoy the neighbors with their incessant chirping; and then there are the periodical ones, who are the ultimate party crashers, emerging every 13 or 17 years to completely take over.
Texas is primarily home to the annual cicadas. So, if you're expecting a biblical plague of these winged wonders, you might want to adjust your expectations. But hey, who's to say we won't get lucky one day and be overrun by a brood of 17-year cicadas? That would be a real Texas-sized welcome party, right?
When Do They Actually Show Up?
Typically, the annual cicadas in Texas make their grand entrance around late June or early July. It's like they're waiting for the summer heat to really kick in before they decide to turn up the volume.
But remember, nature is a fickle mistress. Sometimes, they're early birds. Sometimes, they're late sleepers. So, don't be surprised if you hear that tell-tale buzzing a little earlier or later than expected.
Cicada Survival Guide
If you're planning on surviving the cicada onslaught, here are a few tips:
- Embrace the noise: It's like a free concert, right? (Just kidding, it's more like a really bad one.)
- Protect your plants: Cicadas love to lay eggs in tree branches, so if you have prized plants, you might want to cover them up.
- Don't panic: They're harmless, mostly. Just annoying.
How to... Cicada Edition
- How to tell if it's a cicada or a really loud cricket? Listen closely. Cicadas make a high-pitched, buzzing sound, while crickets tend to have a more rhythmic chirping.
- How to avoid getting hit by a falling cicada? Wear a helmet. Just kidding. It's pretty unlikely.
- How to cook a cicada? We don't recommend it. But if you're feeling adventurous, there are plenty of recipes online.
- How to appreciate the beauty of a cicada? Look at those big, red eyes. They're kind of cute, in a creepy way.
- How to survive a cicada apocalypse? Stock up on earplugs, and hope for the best.
So, there you have it. The cicada situation in Texas. It's not as dramatic as it sounds, but it's definitely something to keep an ear out for.