The use of citizen scientists to record and map 13-year periodical cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Magicicada) in South Carolina

Abstract

In the spring 2011, Brood XIX of the 13-year periodical cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Magicicada) emerged in the Piedmont counties of South Carolina. Three South Carolina state institutions established internet sites to encourage citizen scientists to report periodical cicada sightings and to document public perception about the emergence. The internet sites received approximately 191 reports from counties in South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina with comments on the emergence ranging from positive to neutral.