Farewell fest for disappearing brood of cicadas

Although many area residents are ready to say sayonara to cicadas for another 17 years, state agriculture officials yesterday threw a wake of sorts to mark the impending departure of the noisy bugs.

Amid the fading hum of the crimson-eyed insects in the surrounding trees, the group of Maryland Department of Agriculture staffers and a handful of other cicada lovers celebrated the first septendecimal Cicada Soiree.

The party just outside Annapolis bid adieu with a lemon and chocolate cake shaped and decorated like a cicada while officials recited original odes to Brood X.

"Watch out for that car! Watch out for that light!"...