Brood X Cicadas will emerge in 14 different states!

It has been 17 years since these amazing insects have come out of hiding. Here is some information that will help you to fully appreciate the phenomenon. Enjoy the experience as you won't have another chance for 17 more years!

  1. The periodical cicada remains as a juvenile underground for 17 years. Then it emerges from the ground. It finishes its development to an adult and lives 4-6 weeks before it dies.
  2. While we are expecting the Periodical Cicada to emerge here in 2021, there is a Periodical Cicada emerging somewhere in the world every year.
  3. The cicada is not a locust. They look completely different.
  4. You can find evidence of the cicada preparing to emerge from the ground. Under mature trees, you may find their turrets, small clumps of mud. Once they emerge, the clump of mud will look like a chimney.
  5. The cicadas emerge when the ground is 64*F, usually around Mother’s Day.
  6. The only defense the Periodical Cicada has is its numbers. They emerge from the ground in large numbers. This causes a feeding frenzy amongst all the animals. However, the animals can’t eat all of them. Many are left to mate and lay eggs.
  7. The Periodical Cicada does not bite or sting. It is not venomous.
  8. Animals that have been known to eat the Periodical Cicada include squirrels, birds, bats, cats, wasps, praying mantises, fish, dogs, and even people! Chocolate covered cicada, anyone?
  9. The Periodical Cicada usually emerges from the ground just after sunset. It then crawls up the nearest tree.
  10. When the Periodical Cicada breaks free from its exuvia, its body is white. Its body hardens and darkens quickly.
  11. The part of the cicada you find left behind on a tree is call its exuvia. If you find more than one, you have found some exuviae.
  12. Periodical Cicada eyes are typically red and their bodies black. Their wings are clear. Occasionally someone will find one with white, blue, or striped red eyes.
  13. The Periodical Cicada has 5 eyes: the two compound eyes that you recognize and 3 simple eyes between the compound ones.
  14. Cicadas emerging with missing or damaged body parts may have been affected by chemical applications.
  15. The male cicadas have organs called tymbals that make the cicada sound you are familiar with. Their songs can reach decibels as high as those in a rock concert.
  16. Males sing to the females in chorus.
  17. The females respond by flicking or clicking their wings. If you find a singing male, you can snap your fingers once, and he might follow your hand thinking you are a female responding to his song. He may even land on your hand, but he can’t hurt you.
  18. After mating, the female cicada lays her eggs in the tender twigs of trees. She may lay 200-600 eggs. If you have young trees, you can put netting over them to protect them from damage. Mature trees are hardier.
  19. After 2 months, the nymphs will crawl from the twig, drop to the ground, and burrow.
  20. Nymphs will sip the juices of the roots of the tree during their 17 year development.