Recent Comments about Cicadas

Dan on Common Cicadas of North America

June 8, 2025

Sounds like a Neocicada hieroglyphica.

Darren Cannell on Common Cicadas of North America

June 7, 2025

Have you found an answer to this? I found one today that is 3/4 inches in length with various black wing spots and a mossy oak camo pattern the color of light green lichen.

Dave on Photos of cicadas from Queensland, Australia by Lisa Morgan

June 6, 2025

Totally amazing !!!

Shauna on Cicada Larvae Pictures

May 31, 2025

Maybe a dragonfly nymph?

Dan on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

May 29, 2025

There's three types of Magicicada in this brood: The “Wee-hoo” (Pharoah) cicada is Magicicada septendecim (Linnaeus, 1758) aka Linnaeus’s 17-Year Cicada. The high-pitched whine is Magicicada cassini (Fisher, 1852) aka Cassin 17-Year Cicada The tick tick tick one is Magicicada septendecula Alexander and Moore, 1962

Chris Kelling on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

May 29, 2025

I live in Warren County OH. Brood XIV emergence is heavily underway. As we listen to the calls, there seem to be 2 distinct voices: 1) What I see described as the "Wee-hoo" (Pharoah) call (a lower pitch "drone"), and 2) a higher-pitched whine/scream. Do I have that right? I naively assumed our cicadas would all sound the same. Now, I don't think so. I read that there are 3 species in OH Brood XIV. Can you speculate on the voices that I am hearing? Thanks!

Dan on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

May 23, 2025

They're mostly dying off in locations, so the Brood is getting smaller. It's also likely that Brood X and I stragglers were included in the map making the range look larger that it is. The 1907 map was made by people on horseback, so there is bound to be errors.

Prometheamoth on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

May 23, 2025

So is the 1907 map incomplete/incorrect, or are they expanding their range?

Steven L. on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

May 20, 2025

I positively heard a few (like three) 17-year cicadas today (5/20/25) at Blockhouse Point Conservation Park in Montgomery County, Maryland. We were saturated with Brood X in 2021 here, but (lacking any expertise) I personally doubt these are stragglers from that Brood. I have not heard any in the area since 2021, and do not see why they would be 4 years late. Of note, I did notice several early cicadas in 2020 before 2021.

Dan on Have you seen an unusually large number of cicadas this year?

May 19, 2025

Thanks for letting us know!

Steve Waters on Have you seen an unusually large number of cicadas this year?

May 19, 2025

there is absolutely thousands more this year in my area in Kentucky. Never in my 72 years has there been so many mid May, 2025

Dan on Looking for adult cicadas at night

May 17, 2025

Bill thanks for sharing this news!

Bill on Looking for adult cicadas at night

May 16, 2025

They are emerging tonight in setauket ny. About 20 on my driveway, 50 in 1 tree. It's the 17 year brood and we get it bad here. Streets literally covered in them for a month and it STINKS. The child in me likes to go collect them up.

Lynn Faust on Cicada Myths

May 16, 2025

Thanks, Dan, I did upload broken 2 turrets. I took lots of photos of the wild hog " plowed ground" but no cicadas present in those pix so i did not upload. In 2 miles I found 1 adult and I did upload that 1 cicada pix too. I'm glad to share the plowing shots but it's much worse in person. It was the silence that made me so sad. Also no cell signal there ( Google Greasy Creek, ~ 4 miles upstream) Morgan County TN so my Android does not properly geotag...

Jeanette Parker on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

May 16, 2025

I'm in Montgomery County, approximately 110 miles east of Louisville. I returned home to Kentucky after living in Texas more than 40 years. This is the FIRST time to EVER see these cicadas. They are EVERYWHERE, but mostly on vertical structures, not trees... AND IN THE GRASS. One can't walk without crunching them. Our dog was eating them.....and throwing up .... so now she can't be outside until they're gone. I have so many questions....such as "do they eat vegetation? If not, what? Why do people get excited to see them?....they seem to be a pestilence. I have grapes and...

Dan on Cicada Myths

May 15, 2025

That is bad news for sure. I have not heard of this. If you have any photos to share, let us know. cicadamania@gmail.com

Lynn Faust on Cicada Myths

May 15, 2025

I just went to visit a site that had thousands of periodical cicadas in 2008. Morgan Co TN. I also drove nearby roads and found many populations. But my original site that had so many in 2008 was completely silent. Wild hogs had absolutely plowed up the forest floor and especially the margins of dirt roads and it appears had eaten all of the nymph cicadas getting ready to emerge. It was astonishing and sad. Have you ever heard of this? Wild hogs obliterating a local population? Several miles away there were healthy cicada populations closer to human habitations and...

Dan on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

May 12, 2025

Thank you for letting is know!

Dan on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

May 12, 2025

Thank you for letting us know!

Christa on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

May 12, 2025

The cicadas are coming out of the ground tonight at my house, hundreds I’m guessing. They are emerging from the ground and heading to our giant maple, where many more are clinging and emerging from their exoskeleton. It’s wild! I’m in Rineyville KY

Faith Cook on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

May 10, 2025

The cicadas are lively here in Riceville.

Christine Aiken on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

May 7, 2025

There are hundreds on my shed in Haw Creek, East Asheville, Buncombe County, 1 mile north of the Swannanoa River that flooded so badly during Helene. They are next to a large maple, but are climbing the shed instead,

Richard Braswell on Looking for adult cicadas at night

May 6, 2025

I walked out 2 days ago. I heard what I thought was cicadas. And I was right, saw about 8 on the trunk of my oak tree.

Dan on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

April 29, 2025

That is horrible and exactly the situation that I feared. If there are any trees left, folks could scoop them up at night and move them to remaining trees.

Denise on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

April 29, 2025

I live in north Buncombe County/Asheville and we were devastated by Helene. I have been anxiously waiting brood 14 since 2008, and it’s sad to see so many bugs coming up where trees are gone. Nymphs and newly molted cicadas are dying on the ground because their vertical space is gone.

Dan on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

April 17, 2025

No cicadas for Baltimore this year.

Jessica on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

April 17, 2025

Hi will Baltimore Md see any cicadas from Brood XIV? I dont remember us having any in 2008. I just remember Brood X.

Dan on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

April 15, 2025

Roy's map is a little out of date. Fredrick's will be fine. If Maryland gets any, they will be closer to "the waist of Maryland".

Cameron Marietta on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

April 15, 2025

Hey Dan. I have a wedding in Fredrick’s Maryland on June 7th. Roy Troutman’s map shows that county having a “heavy emergence” darker red. I understand that Maryland was taken off the map for this year’s emergence. I wonder if there will be any still. Just exciting to think about. I’ll be traveling regardless lol.

E on What do cicadas symbolize?

April 9, 2025

A couple years ago on one of my walks towards the end of cicada season I saw one on the sidewalk being eaten by ants. The ant were all up in it’s joints and head and were causing it twitch even though it had been long dead. It was fascinating! Another ant, who I believe was from the same colony, was dragging a whole inch long dragonfly on its own. I’ve always heard about their strength but seeing it was incredible! Good eating for that colony!

Dan on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

April 9, 2025

Rockville has Brood X instead of Brood XIV. Brood X emerged in 2021. You might see some "stragglers" from Brood X that emerge 4 years late (which is common with Magicicada).

T Adams on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

April 9, 2025

Can you tell me how much of a presence any of the cicadas will have in the Rockville, Maryland area? According to all the info I can find, it looks very light to non-existent.

Dan on Collared cicadas of Mexico, Central & South America

April 7, 2025

If I had them, I would post them. Unfortunately, I only have sounds for some species in the U.S. and Canada. iNaturalist.com has some. Sound Files from Cicadas in Costa Rica.

Nela Soldatov-Jones on Collared cicadas of Mexico, Central & South America

April 7, 2025

I hear a sound in the trees, every sunset, sounds almost like a low flying drone. Could you put their sound next to their names, so I can try to identify which one it is? Thanks Nela. Costa Rica, south Nicoya penninsula

Dan on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

April 3, 2025

@Melissa, Gaye Williams, State Entomologist of Maryland requested that I remove Maryland. I double checked with John Cooley of the University of Connecticut, and he agreed. To paraphrase, the cicadas found in the "narrow waist" of Maryland were likely Brood X stragglers, and not Brood XIV. From the UCONN Map: Now, there is a chance the cicadas in the "waist" are actually Brood XIV, and not Brood X stragglers. I encourage folks in Maryland to look for them this year, but do not be disappointed when they do not find any.

Melissa King on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

April 2, 2025

Hello, I am an educator in Maryland, and noticed that you have removed Maryland from the list of states that will see Brood XIV. Can you tell me why you have changed this? I partner with Conservation Nation, and am guiding my students through their "I am a Friend to Cicadas" booklet in anticipation of their arrival. I would like to be able to share with my students why they will not be emerging this year.

Dan on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

March 12, 2025

Interesting. The state entomologist of Maryland asked me to remove Maryland from the list, and John Cooley is in agreement. I'll reach out to Gene.

Michael j Raupp on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

March 12, 2025

Hi Dan, I recently checked with Gene Kritsky and John Cooley about the appearance of Brood XIV in Maryland. Gene sent me a pretty long list of historical sightings associated with Brood XIV in Maryland and John mentioned a sighting in 2008 in Maryland but said it was a small one, possibly stragglers from Brood X or another brood. I will be spending some time in Washington County to see if these guys show up. Very exciting.

Dan on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

March 12, 2025

Thanks Gaye. I touched base with John Cooley because the UConn map lists them. He is going to update their site as well. The 1991 and 1974 sightings their map lists are likely stragglers from Brood X.

gaye on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

March 11, 2025

hi dan, gaye here. please visit: cicadas.info to see the accurate midatlantic brood maps. this info has been carefully,locally investigated over many years. Maryland hosts only: Brood V in far western Md, II in a small area of southern Md, X in most of central Md, and XIX in a tiny 'relic' population of far southern Md. you will also note that in the midatlantic, Brood XIV [lilac on map] is in sw-West Va, sw-Va and e-central Pa. .

Luke on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

March 11, 2025

Is cicada emergence something you can go and see--i.e., if I follow along with time and place reports, can I go to a nature reserve and expect to see them emerging all over? I live in the Boston area and don't have a car of my own, but I'd like to make a day trip to see them in Massachusetts if possible, and I'm not sure if that's a realistic idea. I'm sure there is a lot of unpredictability and I don't know if the volume is enough to be such a concentrated event.

Dan on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

March 10, 2025

Possibly, but looking at the UConn map, which has data from the last emergence, they're limited to Cape Cod.

Ashley on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

March 10, 2025

Does anyone know if Brood XIV will be in Nantucket?

Dan on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

March 9, 2025

Looks like Brood X are in those locations, with some Brood XIV around but not in the same area (orange dots on the UConn map). It looks like that area is Brood X, not XIV. We'll have to see. If you find any, we need your help -- use the iNaturalist app to add your sighting.

Dan on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

March 9, 2025

Maybe. Take a look at the map on the UConn site.

Jeffrey Casaly on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

March 9, 2025

I've checked a lot of maps, and they don't agree as to where Brood XIV will appear. Your prediction for the Martinsburg WV to Front Royal VA corridor? Thanks.

Dan on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

March 8, 2025

I'm not sure about cicadas, but I just read that, according to gundersenhealth.org, "one-hundred grams of crickets contains about 120 calories and 8-25 grams of protein, while 100 grams of sirloin steak contains about 200 calories and 19-26 grams of protein." Although crickets and cicadas are not closely related, they're made of the same types of fats, proteins and chitin. A periodical cicada weights about 1.2 grams... so about 80 cicadas= 120 calories. So if a bear needs 2,400 calories a day, it would have to consume 1,600 cicadas.

Gerald D. Hodge, Jr. on Brood XIV (14) Cicadas will emerge in 2025 in twelve states

March 7, 2025

How many calories does a cacada have? Black Bears have been documented eating them. Thank you! Gerald D. Hodge, Jr. Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired) Founder & CEO, Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears, Inc.

Hunter on How rare are Magicicada cicadas with white or blue eyes?

February 23, 2025

Blue moon cicadas with blue eyes are a sight to see I saw one once

Hunter on How rare are Magicicada cicadas with white or blue eyes?

February 23, 2025

Blue mooon cicadas with blue eyes are a sight to see I saw one once