Posted on 06/01/2025 12:18:27 PM PDT by Morgana
Hundreds of billions of screaming insects are emerging from the ground throughout the US in a jarring sight that hasn't taken place in 17 years.
The long-awaited cicada invasion is here, and the bugs have already been spotted hatching in at least three states: Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
Scientists are also expecting billions more to emerge at any moment in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.
This startling awakening of cicadas is referred to as Brood XIV. The insects last appeared in 2008, and now the next window in their synchronized life cycle has come again.
The cicadas are hatching as the soil in these states reaches a temperature of about 64° Fahrenheit. The swarm will reach its peak in early June.
Heavily infested areas with plenty of tree-covered land will likely see more than a million bugs per acre.
While entomologists (scientists studying insects) say these creatures are harmless, their sheer numbers often frighten people who see these massive broods and hear their loud, shrieking mating calls.
For those who can't stand the sight of them, there's an app for that, and scientists are now giving everyone the ability to track (and avoid) Brood XIV's emergence.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
I remember these dudes coming out some time in the 60’s, where I grew up in New Jersey.
They can get to be quite loud. The biggest hazard is when thousands of them collect on the streets and their crushed bodies create a goo that is pretty slippery. Not as bad as ice, but close. You’re not expecting slippery because it’s the middle of summer.
While political scientists say these creatures are harmless, their sheer numbers often frighten people who see these massive broods and hear their loud, shrieking mating calls.
Hideous bloated creatures with blue hair and ungainly dress...
Eeeeeek!!!
Every year in the south.
I’ve had them for about ten days now. There’s wings and shells all over my garden and yard.
I hear them every morning.And I read this story every year. 🙄
When they fall to the ground and die after doing “whoopee”, some people gather them for protein.
Are these the creepy red-eyed ones? Saw them on Staten Island, I guess, 17 years ago. Creeped me out.
I thought that was supposed to happen last year.
This startling awakening of cicadas is referred to as Brood XIV. The insects last appeared in 2008, and now the next window in their synchronized life cycle has come again.
If they’re on a 7 year cycle, why do I hear about this EVERY FREAKIN’ YEAR????
Have the shells formed any message?
Not having to feed my dog as much since she’s eating a bunch of those critters.
https://health.osu.edu/wellness/exercise-and-nutrition/cooking-cicadas
There’s worse things to eat....
There are different broods which appear in different years.
I seem to hear about it every several years. This year it’s worse. They are so loud.
Didn’t we have this a year or so ago?
First time in 17 years for THIS group. There was a big 17 year brood in Northern Va around 1986 and every 17 years after that. We have at least 2 broods in NoVa that each appears every 17 years but at different times. The splats really mess up the cars.
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