May 18, 2004

Unexpected Guests

cicadas.jpg

Pity the poor bride and groom who, engaged in May or June of 2003, planned a one year engagement and decided on an outdoor wedding. Cicadas, specifically the Brood X group of the Rip Van Winkle-like insects, are emerging from a 17-year nap this month and might be coming to a wedding ceremony near you.

Trillions of the noisy, sex-starved insects are expected in 14 states: Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Washington, D.C. will also be under siege. Cicadas are harmless - they don't bite - but because of their 1 1/2 inch size and sheer numbers, they can easily find their way into long bridal gowns and trains, floral arrangements, expensive hairdos and sticky wedding cakes.

Cicadas have red eyes and emerge from underground singing a loud song in an effort to find a mate, making them not unlike some couples' actual wedding guests.

Posted by The Groom at May 18, 2004 11:34 AM
Comments

Okay. Gross.

Posted by: C at May 18, 2004 02:20 PM

Great.... now I'm going to have nightmares. Thanks. Luckily I am not in one of the aforementioned states. Unluckily, we also live in a West Nile hot spot. Bug spray in the bathroom baskets (really the only reason I'm even doing those uncessecary extras) is a must.

Posted by: Malinda (trevor.net's bride) at May 19, 2004 10:09 AM

OK - I live in Kentucky and they are out and everywhere right now. I think they are pretty cool actually, but what the hell do I know.

My question is, looking at the state list there, how do you New Yorkers keep them in Jersey??? Is there some type of border patrol?

Posted by: Heather at May 19, 2004 10:09 AM

Do you have any idea how much the tolls on New York City's bridges and tunnels are? I doubt any of the cicadas use E-Z Pass.

Posted by: The Groom at May 19, 2004 11:03 AM

Yes I had to move my function indoors b/c of the lovely cicadas in Virginia. Bastards. ;)

Posted by: Erica at May 19, 2004 11:51 AM

Okay, call me stupid, but I'm keeping my outdoor wedding outside!!! With the event coming closer and closer, there's no time to change the location. I just hope I can survive!!! (I live in KY and the wedding is July 3rd. Maybe they'll die down a little by then.....).

Posted by: Tiffany at May 25, 2004 03:43 PM