SCIENTISTS HATCH PLAN TO RESEARCH AREA CICADAS
Kids and parents can also get involved to map cicada broods.
DAYTON — When the 17-year cicadas emerge from the ground in late spring in Southwest Ohio, there will be plenty of scientists waiting for them.
“You know it’s coming, it’s going to happen,” said Gene Kritsky, dean at the School of Behavioral and Natural Sciences at Mount St. Joseph University.
The cicadas are expected to emerge around mid-May soon after the first 80-degree day and a drenching rain shower, Kritsky said. The periodical cicadas emerging this year are part of Brood X, one of the largest broods of periodical cicadas. They are different from the annual cicadas that emerge at the end of every summer.
The periodical cicadas will emerge in southern Ohio, Indiana, southern Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey and Maryland.
Cicadas are harmless insects native to the eastern United States. The periodical cicadas emerge every 17 years from the ground to mate, lay eggs and die.
There will be billions of them when they emerge. These insects are clunky fliers and easy prey. But if billions of them show up, even if millions get eaten, there are still plenty of cicadas left over to mate and lay eggs again.
Kritsky said this year is an opportunity for him to get a sense of where the cicadas in Brood X are emerging, because while there are cicada sightings that go back hundreds of years in the U.S., maps have not always been accurate. Some scientists are also concerned periodical cicadas may be in danger, he said, because at least one brood of these cicadas – Brook XI – has died out.
Kritsky is asking people to download the app that Mount St. Joseph developed, called Cicada
Safari, to take photos of the periodical cicadas and track where they are emerging. Cicada Safari is available for both iPhone and Android.
The photos help Kritsky and his team map broods. He said it can be difficult for one person,
encourage people to take their photo with it also would be explored, Kessler said.
“It is something we think will be beneficial to both visitors and to local citizens. It is something we think we can use as an educational tool” by featuring a piece of local history, she said of a murals project.
The “ghost” murals seen on some building of past advertisements would be explored, possibly bringing some back to life.
The downtown has a couple of murals already including one painted by local artist the late Aka Peremya on the side of the Mayflower building facing the northwest section of the Public Square and another painted by high school students and others on the walls of the Troy Rec Building north Market Street just north of the square.
After the presentation, the Main Street committee will turn to design and funding for the project.
As part of its research, the committee explored several possible mural locations with building owners. A series of photos of potential locations was shown to commission members. Locations on building ranged from near street level to upper building areas. Some building owners said they would possibly be interested in a mural, depending on its content and if it would be acceptable to a neighbor such as a church and some in helping to pay for one, Keller said.
“I think it is great,” commission member Ed Westmeyer said of the concept.
Commission Chairman Alan Kappers asked once a mural is in place, who would be tasked with maintaining it. The committee would need to investigate that question, Keller said.
Larry Wolke, another commission member, questioned if there possibly could be “a content problem” with murals such as political statements.
The content is another reason why the planning commission needs to review each proposal, said Patrick Titterington, city service and safety director, who is a commission member.
“Andrea and I have talked about some general guidelines … No wording, if possible; positive messaging; historic bent, if you will,” he said. “Of course, you are dealing with artists and each one will have their own interpretation.”
Commission member Jim McGarry suggested Troy Main Street involve an architect or other professional who would review processes to be used for painting, sealing and removal of murals to avoid past problems with damage to buildings from use of improper processes or materials.