Brood XIV Cicadas Emerge Across Eastern U.S. in 2025

Spring 2025 brings not only warmer weather and rain but also the return of periodical cicadas, specifically Brood XIV. These insects, known for their distinctive buzzing and clicking sounds, are making their first appearance since 2008, marking a significant natural event for residents in the eastern half of the United States. While some may find their presence a nuisance, the emergence of Brood XIV offers a unique opportunity to witness a phenomenon that occurs only once every 17 years.

Sightings of Brood XIV are expected across 13 U.S. states this year. Gene Kritsky, a professor at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, highlights the significance of this emergence. His group, Cicada Safari, uses crowdsourced data to track and analyze cicada activity. Recent data from Cicada Safari reveals a rapid increase in sightings in the Asheville, North Carolina, area, jumping from 140 to 739 in just one week, illustrating the intensity of the emergence in certain locations.

This article provides essential information about Brood XIV, including the areas where sightings are most likely and what to expect during this periodical cicada event.

Current Sightings and Expected Locations

As of early May, cicada sightings have been concentrated in western North Carolina, southern Kentucky, and parts of Tennessee. To monitor the progression of the emergence, individuals can utilize the Cicada Safari mobile app or visit cicadamap.msj.edu or cicadas.uconn.edu/broods/brood_14. These resources offer up-to-date maps and information, allowing residents to track cicada activity in their areas.

Brood XIV, a 17-year periodical cicada brood, is considered one of the largest, along with Brood XIX, which emerged in 2024. The states anticipating cicada sightings this year include Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Experts predict that Kentucky and Tennessee will experience the highest concentrations of cicadas. Significant numbers are also expected in Georgia, the Carolinas, and Pennsylvania. John Cooley, an ecology and biology associate professor in residence at the University of Connecticut, emphasizes the localized nature of these emergences.

The Emergence Process

The emergence of cicadas is not an instantaneous event. Kritsky explains that it takes approximately two weeks for the majority of the cicadas to emerge at a specific location. Once the emergence begins, cicadas will be present in that area for about six weeks.

Cicada nymphs, the immature stage of the insect, emerge from the ground and climb onto trees or other upright surfaces. They then use their claws to secure themselves. This is when they undergo their final molt, transforming into adult cicadas.

Cooley notes that by July, most of the cicadas will have disappeared, leaving behind only the holes in the ground from which they emerged and the eggs deposited in tree branches.

Brood Size and Comparisons

Kritsky indicates that Brood XIV will be particularly dense in certain areas. However, the combined emergence of Brood XIX and Brood XIII in the previous year covered a broader geographical range. In 2021, Brood X, another large 17-year brood, emerged in numerous states, including Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Oak Leaf Itch Mites

Areas with significant cicada populations may also experience an increase in oak leaf itch mites. These mites are associated with cicada eggs. Six to ten weeks after cicadas lay their eggs, the mites hatch and may fall from the egg nests onto people, causing an itching reaction.

Kritsky advises avoiding sitting under oak trees during July in areas where cicadas are emerging in mid-May to minimize the risk of mite bites.

Cicada Sounds and Behavior

The buzzing sound produced by cicadas is a form of singing. Cooley explains that male cicadas produce three distinct types of songs and engage in duets with females before mating. This vocalization is a crucial part of their reproductive process.

Impact on Gardens and Trees

Kritsky reassures gardeners that cicadas do not eat solid food; they only drink fluids. Initially, they feed on grass roots and later puncture the xylem tissue of trees to access water.

The primary impact on trees occurs when female cicadas lay their eggs at the ends of branches. This can sometimes cause the branches to break and the leaves to turn brown. However, Kritsky points out that this process does not typically kill the tree and can even be beneficial, acting as a natural pruning mechanism that may result in larger flowers the following year.

Community Engagement

Kritsky encourages individuals to learn more about cicadas. The Cicada Safari app and website provide resources for data collection and educational activities. He suggests that parents and guardians take their children outside at night to witness the emergence, describing it as a once-in-a-generation experience.

Residents can also discuss past cicada emergences with their parents and grandparents, sharing stories and observations from previous years.

Mapping and Predictions

While the provided map offers a general indication of where Brood XIV is expected to emerge, experts acknowledge that predicting specific county-level sightings can be challenging. Factors such as soil conditions, vegetation, and past cicada activity can influence the distribution of emergences.

Contributing Sources

Information for this article was sourced from interviews and reports from Gene Kritsky of Mount St. Joseph University and John Cooley of the University of Connecticut. Emily DeLetter also contributed to the reporting. By tracking cicada sightings and understanding their behavior, residents can appreciate this extraordinary natural phenomenon.