Resident aims to make cicadas feel at home in the Fox Valley.
Bettina Sailer stands in front of the cicada sanctuary she built in her North Aurora front yard. For the past few weeks, she has been transferring the insects from other suburbs to the sanctuary, hoping that in 17 years this area of Kane County will see more homegrown cicadas.
On May 23, she was thrilled to discover a cicada nymph on a backyard tree. And friend Nancy, who lives a couple blocks away, also found more than a dozen on her property. To mark that occasion, Sailer last week added several tattoos to her left arm that depict those developmental stages. This extra arm ink, in addition to the cicada necklace, earrings and one of more than a dozen T-shirts she likes to wear, make her a notable personality as she’s gone about collecting cicadas.
In case you are wondering, none of her 4,000-plus cicadas are being released into the community. The netting keeps them in the sanctuary where they will finish up their most unusual life cycle. In two weeks, she will remove most of it so that only the trees will be covered to protect the cicada eggs, Sailer said.
Not surprisingly, this cicada lover has an encyclopedia of knowledge about each species, much of which she shared with me as she showed off her sanctuary that is drawing both negative and positive responses. Once hatched, young cicadas fall to the ground and burrow deep into the Earth for the next 13 or 17 years, depending on the brood. Which is why she’s convinced her efforts will eventually bring cicadas to the area, although it likely will take hundreds of years to make any significant impact.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin criticizes Kane County sheriff for comments about Aurora policeThe mayor made his comments during this week’s Aurora City Council meeting.
Read more »
Aurora to transfer grant program back to Invest Aurora groupThe program was started in 2014, and over that time has funneled nearly $2 million toward redevelopment projects in the city.
Read more »
Memorial sign honors North Aurora turkey who became a ‘mascot of sorts’The wild turkey known as Randi, whose story captured the hearts of many in North Aurora, will be remembered for decades to come now that village officials have authorized the installation of a memo…
Read more »
New craft fair to be held in North AuroraThe fair, to be called Creativity at the Crossroads, will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. June 22 at North Aurora Riverfront Park at 25 E. State St. in North Aurora.
Read more »
South Korea is suspending a military deal with North Korea after tensions over North's balloonsSouth Korea’s government has approved the suspension of a contentious military agreement with North Korea, a step that would allow it to take tougher responses to North Korean provocations
Read more »
South Korea is suspending a military deal with North Korea after tensions over North's balloonsSouth Korea’s government has approved the suspension of a contentious military agreement with North Korea, a step that would allow it to take tougher responses to North Korean provocations.
Read more »