Brood XIV, one of the largest periodical cicada broods, is set to make its long-awaited return after a 17-year hiatus. Get ready. This brood will be a spectacular sight, as its members emerge in waves across the eastern half of the United States. Prepare to welcome the music of cicadas back to the environment! The previous emergence took place in 2008. Entomologists are predicting for Brood XIV to emerge this year in at least 12 states, including New York, Washington D.C., Maryland, and South Carolina, from late spring to early summer.
To monitor specifically Brood XIV cicada sightings, the University of Connecticut has produced a pretty nifty map to record confirmed and verifiable sightings. This tool may help enthusiasts and researchers alike to gain insights into the specific areas where these insects are expected to appear. The arrival time can vary considerably if at all, making it difficult to ascertain precisely when those counties will see confirmed sightings.
Range of Emergence
Brood XIV is especially famous for its mostly eastern U.S. emergence. This year, it will take its new form on a single stretch of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It will make its second stop in Long Island, New York. Other than that, it most likely will end up in nine southern Indiana counties, particularly west of Louisville.
Experts also said the new emergence will probably be multi-state. Brood XIV is about to return in a number of states. Besides Massachusetts and New York, look for them to pass in Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The exact locations can be unpredictable.
“There’s a bit of confusion… in southern Ohio around Cincinnati,” – Cooley
This unpredictability grew to become a hallmark of cicada emergences. Factors including soil temperature and moisture levels can dramatically affect when and where these insects emerge.
Lifecycle and Behavior
The magic of the Brood XIV cicadas’ lifecycle is pretty remarkable. These amazing insects live most of their lives below ground, developing for 17 years before surfacing as adults. During this period they feed on plant roots, all of which contributes to their growth into adults. Once they come out, males sing three different kinds of songs to woo females, racing through duets before copulation.
After mating takes place, the females insert their eggs into cracks on tree branches. The eggs hatch about 6 to 10 weeks after being laid. Once the nymphs fall to the earth, they start their long trek back underground to start the cycle anew.
“There was an emergence at the southern border of Indiana but no emergence in D.C.,” – Deborah Waller
So, this demonstrates how local ground conditions play a major role in impact and emergence activity of cicadas.
Community Engagement and Monitoring
The cicada emergence is a prominent research project, and it’s of great interest to local entomologists. For most residents, it’s an immense source of excitement as this natural event draws near. They join organized “cicada watches” and post their findings on social media. The University of Connecticut’s mapping project invites citizen scientists to report sightings and help further a half-century of research.
Local schools and organizations often use these events as educational opportunities, teaching students about entomology and the importance of biodiversity. As cicadas emerge this season, their presence will remind many of nature’s remarkable cycles.
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