Thanks for the link...I didn't realize they existed only in the eastern US...I had them confused with the locusts/grasshoppers. Interesting that there are still things biologists don't know about them...guess they are excited to have them emerge for new research! josh

I think it's a marvelous idea, especially if you have a way of testing the ph level or enough time. The questions he could set forth to answer seem endless - How does the C:N ratio affect decomposition rate? How does the C:N ratio affect pH? Or he could look at moisture content, introduction of decomposers, etc. He might ask what is the impact of moisture in composting using cicadas as a control. Impact on pH? heat? decomposition rate? Or the impact of exposure to air, etc. His only problem would be to narrow down the comparison groups. Of course, most people here might have the answer to these questions already. But then I'm pretty sure that my 7th grade science teacher knew how mine was going to turn out too! :) I would imagine that the world would look very different now if every science fair project uncovered a new contribution to science - wouldn't that be called a PhD?? Good luck!

Thank you Grannymarsh! I have been getting consistent information that they won't harm flowers or dahlias. In case anyone else comes here, I'll share the latest. At some point, you just have to have faith. I contacted Central States Dahlia society and spoke to a very nice gentleman who is very involved with dahlias in his retirement. He believes the cicadas won't harm them... so I'm not going to worry either. They do like trees... after mating the females go up and try to find a pencil thin branch which they slit somehow, to lay their eggs. So, young trees and shrubs are very much at risk, but he believes they distinguish between trees and needing a woody place to lay the eggs and vegetative matter which is what a dahlia plant is. So, cross your fingers! Thank you all for your help and good luck with your dahlia growing season. I should also put in a plug for the various societies, check it out in your area. There's the American Dahlia Society, apparently, and then various state and local societies that form. I'm going to join, and it's only $12 for Central States for my wife and me for this year. They do garden walks to members gardens, they have dahlia sales (tubers, cuttings and more). This year they are apparently hosting the main dahlia show (convention?) in early September here in Illinois at Pheasant Run, and I will likely go to that too. Lots of activities and 5000 or more dahlias will be shown so I bet it will be fun, informative, and I just have a feeling that those of us who love dahlias are good people to hang around with.

In my area we had them from mid May up until about July 7th. I guess maybe they co me to your area late in the summer? (subtropix) We had them screaming and killing back branches on trees just as bad as ever. (IN SW Pa) If you haven't noticed them like they were 17 years ago, maybe you didn't have the 17 year ones? I have never seen a bunch of locusts that weren't the 17 year ones. If we have them they aren't much of a problem, we have grasshoppers, but really they aren't destructive here. Beng, it sounds like you likely have never had the 17 year kind, by you mentioning "yearly" cicadas. I am talking about the nasty creatures that come up every 17 years and kill back limbs on trees and dig ditches in the branches and lay their eggs, and the limb tips(about a foot long) and make trees look horrible, and kill back all the branches on any small seedlings/whips that have just been planted and have few branches to begin with. But, usually the trees can send out sprouts that can be chosen as new leaders on the poor trees. But, I am glad to say that they are GONE for the next 17 years. Subtropix, please post again and say if you actually did get the reddish, screaming 17 year locusts now. I just wondered if they really do come out this late in the summer/year. I thought they came out in spring, terrorized our yards then went away by the 1st or 2nd week of July every 17 years.