Hunt children enjoy cicadas
Emma and Ellis Hunt proudly show off two of the cicadas they have collected and enjoy playing with. The 3 and 5 year olds are the daughters of Phil and Krista Hunt. Josie Sellers | Beacon
COSHOCTON – The cicadas that are everywhere this summer might be annoying to some, but not Ellis and Emma Hunt.
The children of Krista and Phil Hunt have turned the bugs that only appear every 17 years into pets. Right now they have eight in their family’s Kimble recycling container, but babysitter Grace Miller said they’ve had as many as 17.
“They keep them busy,” Miller said.
Ellis who is 5 and Emma who is 3 play with the cicadas and let them crawl up and down their arms.
“They tickle,” Ellis said.
The girls have even named their cicadas.
“One is called Pinkie Pie,” Miller said.
Ellis Hunt gives a kiss to one of the cicadas she and her sister have collected. Josie Sellers | Beacon
It’s also not uncommon for Ellis and Emma to show the cicadas their love by giving them kisses.
The girls might be a little sad when the cicadas disappear for another 17 years, but Miller said they told her they have plans for the shells.
“They are going to make jewelry,” she said.
Phil and Krista weren’t quite sure what to think about their girls’ fascination with the cicadas.
“Emma likes to go against the grain so I’m not surprised she likes them and the older one doesn’t like being outdone by the younger one,” Phil said.
The cicadas emerge from the underground every 17 years (13 years if you live in the southern states) so they can find a mate and create the next batch that is scheduled to arrive in the year 2033. By then Ellis and Emma will both have their high school diplomas and be young adults.
Category: People & Places
