By John Johnston
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Not to be alarmist or anything, but a 40-pound cicada with a 10-foot wingspan has been spotted - IN OUR CITY!!!

As insects go, this one's tough as steel. (After all, that's what it's made of.) You might have seen it at the Findlay Market Opening Day parade, along with the sign: "Just think of the cicadas as millions of new Reds fans." Or maybe you caught a glimpse of it at the Cincinnati Flower Show.

SPECIAL SECTION

• Cicada watch 2004

Truth is, the giant cicada's social calendar is darn near full, which delights the folks at Imago Earth Center, a 16-acre nature preserve in Price Hill. They commissioned the sculpture, which was created by David Dotson, a Miami University graduate student in fine arts.

The sculpture serves as a centerpiece as Imago celebrates and educates about the return to of the 17-year cicadas. About May 14, some 5 billion of the insects will start emerging from underground.

"We're talking about cicadas with every group that comes here," says Chris Clements, director of the Earth Center, which offers education programs for about 10,000 people a year.

"We have kids here who are just incredibly excited about it - even the apprehensive kids, once we talk about how they won't hurt you, won't bite you, won't sting you. They're looking forward to it."

David Dotson created his 40-pound cicada from steel. (Brandi Stafford photo)

To stir up even more interest, Imago and the Enquirer's Tempo section are sponsoring a contest for children age 12 and under to name the giant cicada. First prize is a gift certificate and gift basket from Blue Manatee Children's Bookstore; second prize is a gift certificate from King Arthur's Court toy store; third prize is a child's birthday party at Imago Earth Center. Honorable mention prizes will include children's books with insect themes. Tempo will publish the winning names. For information, visit the Imago Earth Center Web site, www.imagoearthcenter.org. Or call (513) 921-8455. Deadline is June 25.

Where to see the sculpture

The giant cicada will be on the move this month. It will be displayed through May 26 at Imago Earth Center, except for the days listed below. From 1-3 p.m. May 22, the East Price Hill center will host a cicada birthday party with cake, party hats, kids activities and a presentation on cicadas for adults; $4 per person; call to register, 921-8455.

•May 15: Spring Fling, Boone County Arboretum.

•May 23: 11-5 p.m., Wyoming Art Show.

•May 27 to June 5, Cincinnati Museum Center. Bugfest is June 5.

•June 6: Kids Fest, Sawyer Point.

Imago Earth Center

Only five minutes from downtown, Imago Earth Center is a 16-acre nature preserve that is home to a variety of wildlife and three distinct ecosystems: a forest, a wetland and a tall grass prairie.

Each year about 10,000 people, including teachers and school groups, Scouts and families, come to the Earth Center in East Price Hill for public programs, special events and summer camps.

Houses once stood on an 8-acre parcel of the property. Later, the site was cleared and was considered as the site for a new school, which was never built. The property was neglected until 1994, when Imago, an ecological education organization, began protecting the land. Since then, hundreds of volunteers have worked to restore it to a more natural state.

The Imago Earth Center is at 700 Enright Ave. Information: 921-8455 or www.imagoearthcenter.org.

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E-mail jjohnston@enquirer.com