Here is my logic:
Cicadas leave exoskeletons
Exoskeletons are protein
Protein = nitrogen
Therefore cicadas = free nitrogen for the compost pile?
Have I completely lost my senses or should I start raking?
cicadas as free fertilizer?
I say use em!
(Wonder if you could use them exo-skeletons to make some unique yard art?) ;>)
or the ever popular cicada mulch....
my dd said they make great jewerly - takes all kinds
Well, I don't know about using them for fertilizer but I can say they are great food for my non human friends. LOL The frogs and fish in my pond have eaten a bunch and my husky has probably eaten a couple of pounds now. Hey, whatever works.
According to this article, the answer is yes, "WASHINGTON Nov 25, 2004 — Even in death, the 17-year cicadas made their mark. Their decaying carcasses gave a super-size boost in nutrients to forest soil and stimulated seed and nitrogen production in a plant important to the forest ecosystem, researchers reported in Friday's issue of the journal Science."
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=282652&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312
Well, we live and learn! I never really thought about this species in particular but always did figure that anything that once was alive made for good natural fertilizer.