It's a red-eyed false alarm. The newest influx of cicadas will bypass MD this year
Talk about killing the buzz.
Despite some news reports to the contrary, the newest influx of periodic cicadas — the red-eyed, at times comically clumsy aggravation with wings — will not descend upon Maryland in 2025.
The source of the misunderstanding appears to be a map in the 2025 Old Farmer's Almanac that incorrectly states that Maryland can expect an onslaught of Brood XIV [14] cicadas this year.
'I'm trying to stay calm about this,' Gaye Williams, an entomologist with the Maryland Department of Agriculture said after reluctantly picking up the phone, 'but Brood 14 is not in Maryland. It never has been. It never will be.'
For proof, she pointed to the website cicadas.info, which she described as the definitive source on cicada populations in the U.S. And sure enough, the Mid-Atlantic Brood Map, which tracks cicada populations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, shows Brood 14 utterly bypassing the Free State.
'Maryland has Broods 2, 5, 10 and 19,' Williams said. 'That's it.'
And Brood 19, she added, barely qualifies as a local bug. It surfaces every 13 years in just a tiny part of southern Maryland, but Williams refuses to divulge the specific location in the interests of protecting the nymphs from people inclined to dig them up. Brood 19 surfaced last summer, and is now enjoying a long rest before emerging again in 2037.
Cicada groupies — people fascinated by the critters, who travel around the country to trace the emergence of each new brood and who experiment with cicada cuisine and jam along to the cicadas call with their own musical instruments — will have to visit central Pennsylvania or southern West Virginia to experience Brood 14 this summer.
The other brood expected to emerge this year, the relatively small Brood I, can be encountered in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and West Virginia, as well as in parts of Tennessee and Long Island, New York.
Maryland's last influx of the periodic cicadas was in 2021, when the prolific Brood X emerged, looking lost and confused as they weighed down branches of young trees, became tangled in people's hair, and served as an all-you-can-eat buffet for the state's population of delighted robins.
But while Williams wishes that people would stop calling to ask her about cicadas — she has plenty of other work to do — she offers this consolation to the bugs' many fans: While Maryland won't see any of the periodic cicadas this year, the annual cicadas are another story.
The so-called 'dog-day cicadas' are a bit larger than their long-slumbering cousins, though visually less flashy, with brown or green eyes and the distinctively lacy wings. They make their presence felt later in the summer, surfacing in June and embarking on their throaty mating thrum in August.
Williams wishes that the cicada-phobic would just chill out. She pointed out that neither the annual nor periodic cicadas sting or bite. They do not carry diseases harmful to humans or pets.
'If you see 100 bugs,' Williams said, '95 of them could care less about you. They are doing their thing or actually helping people by pollinating plants.
'But somehow, we're sure that the bugs are all out to get us.'
Have a news tip? Contact Mary Carole McCauley at mmccauley@baltsun.com and 410-332-6704.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNET
16 hours ago
- CNET
I Dread the Ruckus of Those Annoying Cicadas. Here's How I'm Dealing This Year
I was a teenager the first time I remember the cicadas engulfing Maryland. Big, noisy bugs with red eyes that were absolutely everywhere. They were in my grandparents pool, inside my best friend's truck, flying into windows and doors and invading everything with their incessant noise. The biggest problem with cicadas isn't their presence on the trees, it's the skull-throbbing noise they produce non-stop. Their constant buzz can be as loud as a chainsaw. As someone who gets overstimulated by too much noise, it's crucial to reach for a quality pair of noise-cancelling headphones to drown out the cacophonous racket. We're in the thick of cicada season brood XIV (14) now -- from May through at least June, these noisy bugs will climb up from the ground and swarm in a number of eastern states before they mate, die off, and disappear only to emerge again years later. We won't see Brood XIV again, which is appearing this year, until 2037. Cicadas are usually expected to stimulate noise complaints through the beginning and middle of summer, but 2025 has a gigantic The Greater Eastern Brood with billions of these flying insects emerging. Billions! You might be interested to know it's the oldest brood in the US, set to hit 13 states, including Tennessee and Georgia, where they've already been spotted -- or heard. Don't bug spray cicadas. Do this instead (sorry) The red-eyed bugs of Brood XIV, which will soon emerge by the millions. The cicada chasers are immediate reaction to cicadas might be to try and eliminate them from your yard. We don't recommend it. Cicadas are a temporary pest and after a few weeks they'll disappear back underground. They aren't a threat to humans at all and they aren't able to chew their way into the house like termites. Additionally, pesticides don't work well on cicadas. Trying to spray them down won't do any good and could instead damage your yard or local pollinators. The best thing to do is to try to ignore them until they finish their life cycle. The bigger problem for some people is the constant noise that cicadas make while they are above ground. It's a relentless buzz and, once the cicadas arrive, it won't stop until they die off again. If the never-ending noise drives you bonkers, grabbing a quality pair of noise-cancelling headphones can make a major difference to your quality of life -- or at least to mine. Really. Why are cicadas so loud? Here's what's happening: Male cicadas make noise to attract females they can mate with -- the more cicadas in an area, the louder it will be. Noise levels have reached more than 100 decibels in some areas, which means if you plan to spend time in the garden, it's a good idea to snag some earplugs to protect your hearing. Wait, what are cicadas again? Cicadas are also known as "true bugs" and emerge on a 13-year or 17-year cycle. Gene Kritsky/Mount St. Joseph University Cicadas are flying bugs that emerge from the ground periodically to mate and then disappear again. They measure 1 to 1.5 inches long, with wings that stretch twice that length. Their bodies are black, with red-brown eyes and orange veined membranous wings. There are 15 broods of cicadas and each has its own life cycle, generally either 13 or 17 years. Brood XIV, the cicada brood emerging in 2025, is a 17-year brood. That means the last time we saw this particular band of insects was in 2008. How many cicadas are expected in 2025? The 2025 brood is also called the Greater Eastern Brood and it's the second-largest brood of periodic cicadas. They're outdone only by Brood XIX, aka the Great Southern Brood, which emerged in 2024. While there aren't exact numbers on how many cicadas we can expect this year, we do know that Brood XIV is massive. It's also one of the oldest broods in the US. This particular brood was first spotted in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in the 1600s, and it's the brood that spawned all the other 17-year broods. With that in mind, we can estimate that at least several million in certain areas, and possibly over a trillion total cicadas will emerge in 2025. Which states will be affected by cicadas in 2025? Each cicada brood has its own geographical location, which means they don't all appear in the same place. In 2025, there are 13 states that will be affected; Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Do I need to protect my trees from cicadas? While cicadas aren't harmful to people, that same doesn't go for trees. Female cicadas like to lay their eggs on trees where new leaves are located, which can damage branches and cause withering and snapping. While mature trees should be able to withstand this damage without problems, younger trees can be vulnerable and should be protected. Cicadas are a nuisance but they're here for a good time ... not a long you're worried about cicada damage, you have a few options. You can wrap tree trunks and areas where twigs meet branches with cheesecloth, tape and even use landscaping nets around smaller trees. A CNET guide from 2021 explains more about how you can protect trees from cicada damage. When do cicadas appear, and how long do they stick around? While cicadas are a serious pest when they arrive, they don't last long. They'll mostly emerge in May and then stick around for 5 to 6 weeks before they die off. By mid-summer, just in time for the Fourth of July, the cicadas should be gone or at least on their way back underground for another 17 years. Cicadas emerge when the soil 8 inches below ground reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Above-ground temperatures will need to reach the 70- to 80-degree range before the soil will warm up enough, although a warm rain can warm the ground faster. There already have been sightings in Tennessee this year but most of the brood probably won't arrive for a few more weeks. Can you eat cicadas? Cicadas can be eaten but there are things you should know before cooking them. Dan Mogzai The simple answer is, yes. Cicadas can be eaten and people have been doing it for centuries. Native American populations, like the Onondaga Nation, have long viewed the flying insect as a valuable food source. However, eating cicadas does come with risks. Cicadas are related to shrimp and lobster, which means eating them is not recommended if you have a seafood allergy. Cicadas aren't dangerous to pets either, which means if your dog snacks on cicadas it should be fine. Cicadas and climate change For centuries, cicadas have slept underground, emerging only once every 13 to 17 years to mate before disappearing again. While plenty of research has been done on these flying insects, cicadas react to the temperature around them and emerge on a schedule that is triggered by the warmth of the ground. As the planet continues to heat up, the timing of cicadas has started to change. We may soon see a significant change in the life cycle of cicadas. As the temperatures rise, 17-year cicadas could become 13-year cicadas, changing the timeline on when we will see them. While cicadas might be inclined to move further north, it's not an easy process. They can only migrate during their above-ground cycle of life. Because they only emerge for a few weeks at a time and aren't prone to flying long distances, any shift in their geographical locations would occur slowly during their emergences. How you can help cicada researchers Snap a photo and help researchers learn more about cicadas. Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET Researchers spend time with each brood when it emerges to study its life cycle and track when and where they emerge. However, scientists don't have the time or resources to be everywhere that cicadas appear. That's where regular folks come in. Cicada Safari is a free app for Android and iOS that lets you take photos of cicadas and upload them to the app. Using geolocation on those uploaded images, scientists can track a larger number of cicadas. Your photos of these flying bugs in your backyard can help scientists to understand them better, filling in holes in their research.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
How and When You Can See June's Spectacular Strawberry Moon
The Strawberry Moon sets behind the Statue of Liberty before sunrise on June 4, 2023, in New York City. Credit - Gary Hershorn—Getty Images An upcoming lunar event is sure to catch the attention of avid sky-watchers. In June, the Strawberry Moon will make an appearance. Known for its unique amber hues and, at certain glances, rosy glow, the Strawberry Moon is thought of as the final full moon of the spring or the first full moon of the summer. It's the 6th of 12 full moons in 2025. In short, it's something you won't want to miss. In rare moments, the Strawberry Moon can occur at the same time as the summer solstice. This was the case in 2016, when Astronaut Jeff Williams of NASA captured the 'spectacular rise' of the full moon from the International Space Station. In 2023, the Strawberry Moon shone over New York City's Statue of Liberty landmark, resulting in striking photos taken in the early hours of the morning. Here's how and when you can see the celestial event in 2025: The name Strawberry Moon comes from the fact that the month of June is when the harvesting of strawberries occurs, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. Moons often get their name from the season, like how May's Flower Moon references spring's abundance of blossoms. According to Western Washington University, the Strawberry Moon moniker was used by several Indigenous tribes. Other Native American tribes have called the lunar spectacular the Hot Moon and the Blooming Moon, to commemorate the spring season, and the Hatching Moon or Birth Moon to commemorate new life. Outside of North America, Europeans have in the past dubbed it the Rose Moon or even the Honey Moon, as June is typically the first honey harvest of the year. Read More: Stunning Photos Show the Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse in All Its Glory The Strawberry Moon's peak is expected to fall on June 11 at 3:44 A.M. ET, though the best time to view the moon will be as it rises on June 10 at dusk in the Southeast of the U.S., when the moon casts a warm, amber hue across the sky. The moon rising occurs at different times depending on location. In New York, for example, the best time to view the lunar event will be at 8:30 p.m. in New York, and around 8:00 p.m. in Los Angeles. The red supergiant star Antares will be visible in the night sky on June 10 or 11. Australians and New Zealanders, along with those in the South Pacific, will be able to watch the moon occult—or block—Antares. Antares is the brightest star in the Scorpius constellation, and its lunar occultation will occur at twilight for those in the western part of the South Pacific, and in the eastern part of the region it will occur later in the evening, around 7:00 p.m. local time. Read More: Scientists Are Stumped by Mysterious Pulsing 'Star' The moon will appear clearest in places without light pollution and from an elevated spot. Ideal locations include someplace with an uncompromised view of the eastern horizon June's Strawberry Moon is also the lowest-hanging full moon of the year as seen from the Northern Hemisphere. According to EarthSky, this Strawberry Moon is the lowest full moon since 2006, due to the major lunar standstill. This phenomenon, which occurs every 18.6 years, causes the moonrise and moonset to occur at the most extreme north and southernmost points. Best practices for viewing the moon with a bare eye is to give yourself "plenty of time for your eyes to adjust and look carefully," according to NASA. But the full moon can be seen with even more specificity via binoculars or a small telescope, which allow viewers to observe many different features of the moon, including its mountain ridges and where it has been marked by impacts from other celestial objects. Contact us at letters@
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Florida man violently hit by SUV, police say road rage sparked the incident
A shooting and crash in Florida that resulted in three people being charged was a result of road rage, police say. Around 3:20 p.m. on Monday, the driver of a Jeep Compass was waiting to turn left out of a parking lot when the driver of a Buick sedan turned left into the lot, in front of the Jeep driver. The Buick driver, Anthony Williams, parked and the Jeep driver, Raesean Poole, backed up to confront Williams about not using a turn signal, Bradenton police said on Facebook. Williams and a teenage passenger exited the Buick before Poole claims that Williams showed him a gun during the confrontation. Video captured at the scene shows Poole trying to drive away several times, but stops and continues arguing with Williams. During what police call the "final confrontation," Poole accelerated the Jeep toward Williams, hitting a stop sign, tree and striking Williams in the leg. Florida Man Sunbathing On Beach Left 'Screaming Bloody Murder' After Woman Drives Over Him The teenaged Buick passenger, 16-year-old Manuel Villatoro, then "retrieved a gun and fired into Poole's Jeep," police said. Read On The Fox News App The three involved were detained by police shortly afterward. Florida Man Arrested After Surveillance Footage Captures Daylight Road Rage Shootout The Jeep driver, 33-year-old Poole, has been charged with aggravated battery with a motor vehicle. The Buick driver, 20-year-old Williams, was not seriously injured and charges are pending against him. The teenaged Buick passenger, Villatoro, has been charged with aggravated assault with a firearm. Police say the investigation article source: Florida man violently hit by SUV, police say road rage sparked the incident
