The Return of the 17-Year Cicadas: Brood XIV Emerges in the Eastern United States
After nearly two decades of subterranean slumber, the distinctive hum of Brood XIV cicadas is once again filling the air in parts of the eastern United States. This periodical emergence, a natural phenomenon that occurs every 17 years, marks a significant event for both researchers and the general public. The return of these insects provides a unique opportunity to study their behavior, distribution, and impact on the environment. While the spectacle is fascinating for many, it also raises questions about the potential effects on agriculture, ecosystems, and human activities.
Brood XIV is recognized as the second-largest periodical cicada brood in terms of geographical distribution and population size. According to experts at the University of Connecticut, their resurgence is a precisely timed event, triggered by factors such as soil temperature and the passage of time. These cicadas spend the majority of their lives as nymphs, feeding on the sap of tree roots deep underground. When the conditions are right, they emerge en masse, transforming the landscape and creating a cacophony of sound.
Researchers rely on historical emergence data to predict the areas where Brood XIV is likely to appear. Gene Kritsky, a professor at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati and the founder of the Cicada Safari app, has been instrumental in tracking and mapping cicada populations. The Cicada Safari app allows citizen scientists to contribute to the data collection effort by reporting sightings and submitting photographs of cicadas. This collective information is then used to create detailed maps illustrating the brood’s distribution and emergence patterns.
This year, Brood XIV’s emergence is expected to be concentrated in several states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. As of early May, the majority of sightings reported through the Cicada Safari app have been concentrated in western North Carolina and parts of Tennessee. Sporadic sightings have also been documented in Georgia and southwestern Ohio, indicating a broader, albeit less dense, presence.
The emergence of Brood XIV is a complex and fascinating process. The nymphs tunnel to the surface, shed their exoskeletons, and transform into winged adults. These adult cicadas have a relatively short lifespan, typically lasting only a few weeks. During this time, their primary focus is on reproduction. The males attract females by producing a distinctive buzzing sound, created by vibrating membranes in their abdomens. After mating, the females lay their eggs in the branches of trees. The eggs hatch, and the nymphs burrow into the ground to begin the cycle anew.
The sheer number of cicadas emerging at once can have a significant impact on the environment. While they are not generally considered harmful to humans, their presence can be disruptive. The buzzing sound they produce can be quite loud, and the sheer volume of insects can be overwhelming. In some cases, the egg-laying activity of female cicadas can damage young trees, leading to branch dieback.
The emergence of Brood XIV also raises concerns for agricultural interests. While cicadas do not typically feed on crops, their egg-laying activity can damage fruit trees and other valuable plants. Farmers and orchard owners may need to take precautions to protect their crops from damage. This can include netting trees or applying insecticides.
Distinguishing between different broods of cicadas can be challenging, especially since some individuals, known as "stragglers," may emerge outside of their regular cycle. These stragglers can complicate mapping efforts and make it difficult to accurately assess the size and distribution of a particular brood. The University of Connecticut researchers emphasize that the presence of stragglers from other broods in 2025 could be mistaken for an unusually large emergence of Brood XIV. This could lead to inaccurate assessments of the brood’s growth and distribution.
Despite the challenges, researchers are confident that they can accurately track and map the emergence of Brood XIV. By combining historical data with citizen science observations, they can gain a better understanding of the brood’s behavior and distribution. This information is crucial for managing the potential impacts of the emergence on agriculture and ecosystems.
Gene Kritsky predicts that Brood XIV is likely to make an appearance in a wide range of states, including Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as in nine southern counties in Indiana. However, pinpointing the exact counties where confirmed sightings will occur remains a challenge.
The emergence of Brood XIV is a reminder of the complex and fascinating natural world that surrounds us. It is an opportunity to learn more about these unique insects and their role in the ecosystem. By tracking their emergence and studying their behavior, researchers can gain valuable insights into the natural processes that shape our world.
To follow the cicada emergence you can use the Cicada Safari mobile app, or the websites www.cicadamap.msj.edu or www.cicadas.uconn.edu/broods/brood_14.
