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USA Today
2 days ago
- Climate
- USA Today
Cicadas invade parts of US as Brood XIV emerges: See photos
Cicadas invade parts of US as Brood XIV emerges: See photos After 17 years of dormancy, cicadas from Brood XIV are back and invading parts of the U.S. this spring. Show Caption Hide Caption Millions of cicadas expected in Georgia More cicadas than usual are expected again in Georgia this year when Brood 14 of the 17-year-periodical cicadas emerge. Fox - 5 Atlanta Cicadas are invading the U.S. as Brood XIV continues to make their way to over a dozen U.S. states. Brood XIV, the second-largest of periodical cicada broods, began emerging in the spring with most of the buzzing and clicking being heard in western North Carolina, southern Kentucky and parts of Tennessee. Gene Kritsky, a professor at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, told USA TODAY that the sightings are expected to occur in 13 U.S. states this year. Since early May, sightings in the Asheville, North Carolina area have risen from 140 to 739, according to Kristsky's group, Cicada Safari, which crowdsources and reviews data on the insects. Brood XIV emerges every 17 years, meaning the last time they came around was when former President George W. Bush was in office and the average price of eggs was only $1.99. The cicada brood usually knows it's time to emerge when the ground temperature reaches about 64 degrees, 8 inches below the surface. With cicadas flying around the U.S., pictures of the photogenic creatures have popped up. See the insects as they enjoy their time in the sun. See cicadas from Brood XIV invade the US Contributing: Anthony Robledo, Saleen Martin, Elizabeth Weise & Janet Loehrke/ USA TODAY Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cincinnati beware — cicadas pee. And they have 'stronger streams than many mammals'
Millions if not billions of 17-year cicadas have descended on Greater Cincinnati and Southwest Ohio, creating a deafening noise and leaving behind a real mess in their wake. But that mess is not just the nymph shells they leave behind when they emerge from underground. No, cicadas pee, and unlike most insects, they pee a lot. "[C]icadas are able to pee well above their weight class and produce stronger streams than many mammals," writes Scientific American, reporting on a March 2024 paper published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. Now people bothered by the insects have another reason to be disgusted by them. Here's what to know. According to Scientific American, cicadas feed on the fluid in a plant's xylem system. Because that fluid is 95% water, cicadas must consume 300 times their body weight each day to get enough nutrients. And that means they pee a lot. While most insects flick away liquid waste one drop at a time, cicadas pee "in high-speed streams reminiscent of the bathroom habits of mammals," according to the publication. In fact, cicadas can produce stronger streams than some species of small mammals, per Scientific American, including bats and a breed of rodent known as the Wistar rat. Yes. After 17 years underground, Brood XIV is emerging, and it will bring millions if not billions of the noisy insects to Southwest Ohio and a dozen other states this spring. Brood XIV is one of 15 recognized broods of periodical cicadas that emerge every 13 or 17 years, and one of four that appear in the Buckeye State, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. They emerge when the soil temperature reaches 64 degrees, which typically happens in the second half of May. Annual cicadas emerge worldwide each year, but periodical cicadas are found only in eastern North America. They live underground as nymphs for either 13 or 17 years before emerging above ground in massive numbers. Different populations of periodical cicadas are called 'broods' and are numbered with Roman numerals. They are active for three to four weeks as they focus on mating and reproduction, per ODNR. Male periodical cicadas produce a deafening chorus of calls to attract females. Once mated, female cicadas deposit their eggs into the branches of trees and shrubs. Brood XIV cicadas will stretch from northern Georgia to Massachusetts. In Ohio, they will emerge in more than a dozen counties, per ODNR, mostly in Southwest Ohio: Adams Brown Butler Champaign Clermont Clinton Gallia Greene Hamilton Highland Jackson Lawrence Pike Ross Scioto Warren Washington Some of the edge counties will not see as heavy an emergence as others. The cicadas that emerge every 13 or 17 years are different from the ones seen every summer, and it's not just the amount of time between sightings. Dr. Gene Kritsky with Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati and founder of Cicada Safari, a group that tracks the emergence of cicadas based on user submissions, told WKRN in Nashville that periodical cicadas emerge in May or June, while annual cicadas show up later, in late June and July, and through the rest of summer. While swarms of noisy insects may be unsettling for some, cicadas are harmless to people and pets, according to ODNR. They are also a valuable food source for native wildlife, including birds, mammals and fish. Egg-laying by female cicadas can cause 'flagging' on trees and shrubs (death of branch tips, from the egg-laying site to the end of the branch), but there is little to no impact on established, otherwise healthy plants, ODNR states. Small or newly planted trees and shrubs are more vulnerable to damage and can be protected by covering them with fine netting for the few weeks that adult cicadas are active. Using pesticides on cicadas is not warranted or recommended. States expecting cicadas this year include Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, Gene Kritsky, founder of Cicada Safari, a group that crowdsources and reviews data on cicadas, told USA TODAY. Kentucky and Tennessee probably will get the most cicadas this year, said John Cooley, an ecology and biology associate professor in residence at the University of Connecticut. There will also be large numbers in Georgia, the Carolinas and Pennsylvania, he said. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Do cicadas pee? Way more than most insects. What to know about Ohio brood
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Health
- USA Today
No, cicadas won't bite: Five debunked myths about cicadas
No, cicadas won't bite: Five debunked myths about cicadas Cicada Brood XIV, the second-largest periodical brood, has begun to emerge in some Eastern states. Along with some possible stragglers from other broods, including Brood I, Brood VI and Brood X, could emerge this year as well, according to the University of Connecticut. Based on their past behavior, cicadas from Brood XIV will likely make their appearances in 14 states, said Gene Kritsky, founder of Cicada Safari, a group that gathers data on the insects. They include Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, and Indiana in nine southern counties. Although the insects are large, noisy and pretty annoying, they're not harmful. Here are five other common myths about cicadas: Myth: Cicadas are like locusts Some people interpret the sudden presence of a huge number of cicadas outside their home as a bad omen, much like the biblical plague of locusts. Even though they have been referred to as locusts, cicadas are their own family of insect. Locusts are a type of grasshopper. Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. Similar to how cicadas emerge all at once, locusts travel in big swarms. Locusts are significantly more harmful than cicadas because they devour large amounts of vegetation and harm nearby farms. Cicadas, on the other hand, consume tree sap and are not dangerous to crops. Myth: Exposure to cicada noise will cause hearing loss As the second-largest periodical cicada, Brood XIV can make a lot of noise when the male cicadas attempt to attract mates with their buzzing sounds. That can be especially true when there are a lot of insects in the yard. But it's unlikely their noise will permanently harm your hearing – unless you're exposed to it for several hours consecutively at very close range. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, noise from cicadas does not cause hearing loss. Cicadas can reach high decibel levels According to CicadaMania, each species has its own sound, and the chorus can reach 90 to 100 decibels – about as loud as a lawn mower. Myth: Cicadas don't pee on you Yes, cicadas can pee on you, in fact, quite a lot. It is commonly called honeydew or cicada rain, according to John Cooly, an entomologist at the University of Connecticut. Periodical cicadas, which appear in large numbers once every 13 to 17 years, have the unique ability to urinate in high-velocity jets, according to a recent article in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Most insects that consume xylem tree sap typically pee in small droplets to conserve energy as they expel waste fluid, according to the 2024 study. But because cicadas consume 300 times their weight in plant sap, they expel waste fluid in jets to be more energy efficient. How animal species compare when releasing waste fluid The reason why certain animals urinate in jets while others urinate in droplets can be explained by two concepts – The animal's size and the shape of the liquid as it exits the species. Researchers believe that the bigger body sizes and the energy savings allow cicadas to urinate more like large mammals. Myth: Cicadas bite No, cicadas aren't equipped to bite or sting like bees or wasps, ants and other insects, according to Cicada Mania, a website devoted to cicadas. Their mouthparts do have the ability to "pierce and suck" fluids from trees and plants. They also have prickly legs and feet which could prick your skin if they are held. Myth: Cicadas are dangerous to pets It may seem like a zombie-esque "Night of the Living Dead" as cicadas start to rise from the ground in spring, but there's no reason to worry – even for your pets. The phrase "zombie cicadas" refers to cicadas that have contracted the fungus Massospora cicadina, which might cause them to behave strangely, but these cicadas are not harmful to people or pets. Cicadas don't bite or sting and are more of a nuisance than a danger. Cicadas aren't poisonous if a pet ingests a few. But eating too many could lead to an upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea, according to Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the American Kennel Club. The cicadas will only spend about five weeks above ground before they die off and leave us with the piles of dead, fallen carcasses. For those who detest the cicadas, good news. Because of the cicada's 17-year life cycle, Brood XIV won't be seen again until 2042. CONTRIBUTING London Gibson/USA TODAY NETWORK, Clare Mulroy, Saleen Martin and Jim Sergent/USA TODAY SOURCE University of Connecticut, Elio J. Challita at Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences; Scientific American, Hearing Health Foundation, Cicada Mania, Cicada Safari, Lander University and USA TODAY research This story was updated to add new information.
CNET
15-05-2025
- General
- CNET
Brace Yourselves, Noisy Cicadas Are About to Invade These States
Cicada season is officially here. For the next few weeks these raucous insects will swarm across several states before disappearing around mid-summer. 2025 is expecting one of the largest cicada broods, which means over the course of this month billions of these flying insects will make their appearance. The Greater Eastern Brood is expected to emerge this summer, and it's the oldest brood in the US. Thirteen states can expect to deal with cicadas, and they've already been spotted in parts of Tennessee and Georgia. I still remember the first year I saw a major cicada brood emerge. As a teenager, I watched as the swarm descended on my neighborhood. There were bugs everywhere -- in my grandparents' pool, inside my best friend's truck -- flying into open windows and causing a racket everywhere. Cicadas are noisy and, when they emerge en masse, they cause their own brand of chaos. The noise can be deafening, and if you're overstimulated by too much noise like I am, you'll be counting the days until they disappear again. Investing in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones is one way to get ready for the insect invasion. Thankfully these pests aren't a long term problem and after a few weeks they'll depart again until their next emergence. For Brood XIV, which is appearing this year, that means we won't see these particular critters again until 2037. What are cicadas? 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 small flying bugs that emerge from the ground periodically to mate and then disappear again. 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 this year, is a 17-year brood and the last time we saw these particular insects was 2008. Cicadas are loud and emit a constant buzzing sound when they make their appearance. While the noise can be aggravating, cicadas aren't a major problem for humans. That's because these bugs don't bite or sting -- they just show up everywhere for a few weeks before dying off again. They measure 1 to 1.5 inches long, with wings that stretch twice that length. They have black bodies, red-brown eyes and orange veined membranous wings. The constant buzzing sound they emit is made by adult males seeking a female for mating. 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. When do cicadas appear, and how long do they stick around? Cicadas are a nuisance but they're here for a good time ... not a long 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. 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. How to deal with cicadas 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 properly 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. 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. 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. Protect your young 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. If 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. Are cicadas edible? 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.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Cincinnati, cicadas are here. Here's where the 17-year brood is invading. See the map
Cincinnati, did you prepare for the invasion? The cicadas are here. After 17 years underground, Brood XIV is emerging, and will bring millions if not billions of the noisy insects to Southwest Ohio and a dozen other states this spring. Several people from the Greater Cincinnati area have posted photos to social media showing adult cicadas from Brood XIV resting on plants after molting, with their nymph shells nearby. "We encourage everyone to take this unique opportunity to appreciate and learn more about these fascinating native forest insects and their value in naturally functioning ecosystems," said Tom Macy, forest health program manager for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry. So how long will they stick around? And where in Ohio can you find them? Here's what to know. Yes. Brood XIV is one of 15 recognized broods of periodical cicadas that emerge every 13 or 17 years, and one of four that appear in the Buckeye State, according to ODNR. They emerge when the soil temperature reaches 64 degrees, which typically happens in the second half of May. Annual cicadas emerge worldwide each year, but periodical cicadas are found only in eastern North America. They live underground as nymphs for either 13 or 17 years before emerging above ground in massive numbers. Different populations of periodical cicadas are called 'broods' and are numbered with Roman numerals. Cicada Safari, a group that tracks the emergence of cicadas based on user submissions, reports nearly 40 cicada sightings in the Cincinnati area so far. Several posts on Facebook and Instagram show also cicadas emerging, with some mentioning Loveland, northeast of Cincinnati, specifically. Here's a sampling: They are active for three to four weeks as they focus on mating and reproduction, per ODNR. Male periodical cicadas produce a deafening chorus of calls to attract females. Once mated, female cicadas deposit their eggs into the branches of trees and shrubs. Brood XIV cicadas will stretch from northern Georgia to Massachusetts. In Ohio, they will emerge in a more than dozen counties, per ODNR, mostly in Southwest Ohio: Adams Brown Butler Champaign Clermont Clinton Gallia Greene Hamilton Highland Jackson Lawrence Pike Ross Scioto Warren Washington Some of the edge counties will not see as heavy an emergence as others. The cicadas that emerge every 13 or 17 years are different from the ones seen every summer, and it's not just the amount of time. Dr. Gene Kritsky with Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati and founder of Cicada Safari, told WKRN in Nashville that periodical cicadas emerge in May or June, while annual cicadas show up later, in late June and July, and through the rest of summer. The two types also look different from each other. Periodical cicadas have black bodies with red eyes and red-orange wings and can be anywhere from three-quarters of an inch to an inch and one-quarter in length. Annual cicadas have dark green to black bodies with green-veined wings and black eyes and are larger. They can grow to an inch and one-third in length. While swarms of noisy insects may be unsettling for some, cicadas are harmless to people and pets, according to ODNR. They are also a valuable food source for native wildlife, including birds, mammals and fish. Egg-laying by female cicadas can cause 'flagging' on trees and shrubs (death of branch tips, from the egg-laying site to the end of the branch), but there is little to no impact on established, otherwise healthy plants, ODNR states. Small or newly planted trees and shrubs are more vulnerable to damage and can be protected by covering them with fine netting for the few weeks that adult cicadas are active. Using pesticides on cicadas is not warranted or recommended. How $20 can save your trees from cicadas Cicadas will dig holes and tunnel through your yard, but this helps the soil since those tunnels aerate your yard, encouraging root growth for the next season. "While your yard may appear to be a mess from all the holes and mud chimneys, just run a rake over your turf and add some grass seed after the cicadas are gone, and your yard will be as good as new in no time," according to The Nature Conservancy. States expecting cicadas this year include Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, Gene Kritsky, founder of Cicada Safari, a group that crowdsources and reviews data on cicadas, told USA TODAY. Kentucky and Tennessee probably will get the most cicadas this year, said John Cooley, an ecology and biology associate professor in residence at the University of Connecticut. There will also be large numbers in Georgia, the Carolinas and Pennsylvania, he said. Any animal that can eat insects will eat cicadas, according to the Purdue University Extension. Those include fish, bears, birds, raccoons and even other insects, like parasitic wasps. They're also safe for your dog to eat, to a point. According to the American Kennel Club, a dog that eats the occasional cicada should be fine. However, dogs that gorge on cicadas will find their exoskeletons difficult to digest, resulting in an upset stomach, abdominal pain, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Some dogs that overconsume cicadas may require a trip to the vet for IV fluids, or pain and anti-nausea medications. Cicadas, like locusts, show up suddenly and in large numbers, and are sometimes called "locusts," according to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. However, cicadas are not locusts. Locusts are grasshoppers, and the two species are not closely related, according to the Xerces Society. Locusts also swarm for different reasons. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cicadas 2025: Ohio, the invasion is here. See the map, social reaction
