Hello @abneagro,

I have finally sat down to read your post. It is delightful, as always. We do have cicadas here. Generally when we hear the song of the cicada we know fall is on the horizon. I love their song, but it's kind of sad, because when these insects sing it means summer is over.

Also now I know it's kind of sad for them. You say they don't live very long after mating--most of their lives are spent underground and that their adult phase is very brief.

It strikes me, when I read about the mating strategies of different species, that the urge reproduce, to perpetuate, governs almost all behavior. This is also evident in the strategy of the cicada fungus, which will not attack, you explain, until it has the chance to spread to the cicada's mate. Then the fungus will destroy its host...amazing.

I hope the summer treats you well. It is mild here, so far.

Your friend, AG