The Cincinnati Enquirer

The cicadas are taking their sweet time working their way out of the ground, but they'll hit their stride by this weekend, cicada expert Gene Kritsky predicted Monday.

2004 CICADA WATCH

• Special section

The critters have now turned up at all his research sites at the College of Mount St. Joseph in Delhi Township, where he teaches.

Kritsky has received more than 800 e-mails reporting sightings in areas including Clifton, Mount Healthy, Cleves, Price Hill, Madeira, Anderson Township, Linwood, Covington and Park Hills.

The cicadas should be popping out of the ground at their fastest rate by this weekend, Kritsky said, and the above-ground population should peak in about two weeks.

"They came in slowly because of the cool temperatures Saturday, but the rain really helped," he said.

Sightings may be reported to Kritsky at www.msj.edu/cicada.

Some other hot spots, according to visitors to cincinnati.com: Westwood, Hartwell, College Hill, Fairfield, Greenhills, Mount Washington, Erlanger, Fort Thomas and Highland Heights.

Tell us if you've seen cicadas in your neighborhood. You can even e-mail a picture. Go to cincinnati.com, keyword cicadas.