I heard someone tell me that there is a bug called the locust. And something happens every 17 years (or somehting like that) and that this summer they will be EVERYWHERE. and we won't even be able to walk outside! Eww! Is this true? Why does this happen? What's a locust? Is this going to be happening in IL or all of USA or the whole entire globe?
BTW: I live in IL
2007-04-10 12:37:01 · 7 answers · asked by CherryCherry 5 in News & Events ➔ Current Events
Are the bugs dangerous? Do they bother humans? Do they sting?
2007-04-10 12:38:14 · update #1
I think they were lying to you. They wanted to pull your leg and that's terrible. You should think of a way to fool them.lol. Anway http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locust that will give you information on the locust.
2007-04-10 12:46:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on where you are, but yes, there is a bug called a 17-year-locust (also known as a periodic cicada). If you're in a place where the local population is about to emerge you may see a lot of them.
It's a local phenomenon. Probably not even in all of Illinois. Central NJ had its last outbreak 2 years ago.
Personally, I've lived through 2 major emergences (the one 2 years ago and one in the late 80's). They're harmless and kind of cool.
First, you'll start to notice little holes (about the diameter of a dime) in the ground around the roots of trees. About 2 weeks after that the wingless larvae will emerge and start climbing every vertical surface. Another 2 weeks or so and the larval exoskeletons will split to release the flying adults. They look like REALLY large (like about 1.5 inches long) black grasshoppers with red eyes. They fly to the treetops and proceed to "sing" for 10-14 days. It's a really eerie sounds and it will be everywhere.
Then they die all over your yard.
They don't bite, and they do most of their damage to trees in the 17 years they're underground.
Oh, one other thing - these are not the same bugs that people are usually referring to when they talk about locusts. Those are grasshoppers driven to swarming by weather conditions. These are an entirely different bug that just happens to look a bit like a locust.
2007-04-10 20:55:23 · answer #2 · answered by sdc_99 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok well I know that they come in swarms sometimes but I don't think it's set at a particular time frame. There seem to be times when they come - drought etc. A locust is like a grasshopper. So no they aren't dangerous and they won't bite you but if you don't like bugs I wouldn't go out into the middle of a swarm. You just can't pick when and where it's going to happen - it's just mother nature.
2007-04-10 20:22:17 · answer #3 · answered by gretphemelger 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I would have to say that since I`m 39 years old I haven`t ever seen or heard of the attack of the locust and someone (who ever told you this) should stop smoking what ever he or she is smoking while watching the sci fi channel. Locust are grasshoppers. It`s not unheard of to see a swarm of locust in the sky depending on your geographical location. I`m a city boy and never seen any thing that would fit the discription here. STOP SMOKING THE WACKY TABACKY! (just kidding with you)
2007-04-10 19:54:52 · answer #4 · answered by stewilliamsx2 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Locusts do come in cycles. Yes, it is gross. The last time it happened in record numbers was in the Southwest. You can walk outside but you are just going to get to step on a lot of bugs. It will just depend on the climate. You should be fine.
2007-04-10 20:11:02 · answer #5 · answered by swagov 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
actually they do have huge swarms every 17 years, but the last big swarm was supposed to be a couple of years ago. relax, no big deal.
2007-04-10 19:45:20 · answer #6 · answered by jrbro1 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
IT USUALLY ONLY HAPPENS IN EGYPT, BUT THID TIME IT IS ALL OVER THE WORLD, IT IS SPREAD BY CHICKENS.
2007-04-10 22:23:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋