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Bug City
By
Jen Chung
Published May 19, 2004
Modified Mar 6, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published May 19, 2004
Modified Mar 6, 2008
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If there isn't snow on the ground, then it's time to see the various bugs of the city. The Times has an article about the return of the cicada, which takes a 17 year old nap in larva and then crawls out from the ground to find a mate to have sex with, and the excitement it causes in people. Cicadas are harmless, although it seems that you might see mist of "cicada urine" or your cat or dog might get a tummy ache if they eat too many. New Yorkers aren't as excited about cicadas as D.C. residents are (here are some Washington Post articles about cicadas, including one where a chef says cicadas are like soft-shell crab) but what we are thinking about are Asian Longhorned Beetles (pictured). The city has set up a comprehensive website (check out the moving bugs!)about how you can prevent further infestations (which have been found in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan's East Side so far). And why is the Asian Longhorned Beetle Asian? It comes from China, via "untreated packing crates and wooden palettes."
Giancarlo Esposito played Buggin Out in Spike Lee's summer fever dream of a movie, Do the Right Thing.
Tagged
animals
brooklyn
cat
china
city
east side
manhattan
new york
new yorkers
parks
people
queens
recreation
Right Thing
sex
snow
spike lee
the city
the times
washington
washington post
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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