Kris Kirschner/Eyewitness News
Monroe County, May 18 - The woods near Bloomington are unusually quiet, given the rare, but punctual, arrival of southern Indiana's timely guest.
"There's just millions of them anywhere you want to look," says Gordon Jarvis.
Jill Watkins thinks, "they fall out of the tree, so I'll definitely put a hat on before I mow the grass."
The cicada invasion is slowing creeping its way into the yards and lives of Hoosiers as the mainly underground insects emerge for their once-every-17-year ritual.
Geology Professor Greg Olyphant helps two of his students study the effects of the locust-like creatures on area water supplies.
Scientists expect this to be the biggest cicada invasion in history, roughly 1.5 million bugs per acre.
They'll last only a few weeks, leaving behind little carcasses and possibly a high concentration of nitrogen.
"It's gonna affect water quality throughout water sheds," points out Olyphant.
A more unofficial study by one fisherman found they make great bait. "They're just everywhere."
The army of cicadas leave behind their coats of armor wherever you find trees, even city golf courses.
"On the fairway it's not bad," says Jarvis, "out in the rough is where you'll find them."
"Up the tree, they like the side of the fence." Watkins lives nearby. Her home has become a favorite breeding ground. "They tend to congregate on my plants. I just hope they don't eat my plants."
Experts say cicadas may do damage to smaller plants and trees.
What really bugs Julie, they give her the creeps. "I think they're gross. I don't like them."
The worst is yet to come, likely in the next week or two. They'll mate, make noise and die, leaving behind not only a big mess, but a bad odor.
This punctual miracle of nature does have its benefits, food for fish and other wildlife and, like any good guests, they won't overstay their welcome.
After the cicadas disappear they won't come back again to bug us until the year 2021.
