Latest news with #Kritsky
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Rare cicada brood to resurface in NY soon: Here's what to expect
A brood of cicadas that only emerges every 17 years is set to make its appearance in New York this spring. The Empire State and at least 13 other states — Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and nine southern counties in Indiana — will soon be filled with the hum of these periodical insects. Here's what to know. Billions of Brood XIV cicadas, which is considered the second largest periodical cicada brood, according to the University of Connecticut, will most likely come out of the ground during the second half of May. It's one of 15 broods of periodical cicadas that emerge every 13 or 17 years, reported the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network, and they'll emerge when soil temperatures reach 64 degrees. While annual cicadas emerge worldwide each year, periodical cicadas can only be found in the eastern United States, the Enquirer reported. The last time this brood appeared was in 2008, says Gene Kritsky, founder of Cicada Safari, a group a group that gathers data on the insects, and biology professor at Mount Saint Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Brood XIV cicadas will emerge on a small part of Long Island in the coming weeks as periodical cicadas typically emerge in May and June, according to the New York State Department of Conservation. However, it's unclear what this year's cicada population will look like on Long Island as it's been declining for at least the last two cycles — or 34 years — and the area has experienced some severe droughts, Kritsky says. Here's a map of the anticipated 2025 Brood XIV cicada emergence created by USA TODAY: Cicadas, which are often mistaken for locusts, are insects that belong to the hemiptera order, which includes stink bugs, bed bugs, aphids and cicada families, Kritsky said. The oldest historical record of Brood XIV cicadas is from 1634, when Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony recorded them, according to Kritsky. However, Native Americans knew of them for centuries prior to European contact, he wrote on his website. There are three different species of 17-year periodical cicadas, Kritsky added: Magicicada septendecim, magicicada cassini and magicicada septendecula. There are some differences among the three species, such as their calls and colors. Here are some additional facts about cicadas, according to Kritsky: Only male cicadas sing or make that buzzing noise they're known for and they do so by using sound-producing structures called tymbals, which are located on the side of their abdomens. Cicadas typically make the most noise during the day and Kritsky has recorded their calls or songs at decibel readings of 102, which is louder than jets flying into an airport. There are many more male cicadas than females because female cicadas die after mating once while males mate until they can't anymore, then die. After mating, female cicadas lay eggs in branches on trees, which hatch 6-10 weeks later and the young cicadas head underground, where they feed on grass roots. Contributing: USA TODAY Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network's New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@ This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Rare cicada brood to resurface in NY soon: Here's what to expect
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Cicada Brood XIV to emerge in NY soon: When to expect them
A brood of cicadas that only emerges every 17 years is set to make its appearance in New York this spring. The Empire State and at least 13 other states — Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and nine southern counties in Indiana — will soon be filled with the hum of these periodical insects. Here's what to know. Billions of Brood XIV cicadas, which is considered the second largest periodical cicada brood, according to the University of Connecticut, will most likely come out of the ground during the second half of May. It's one of 15 broods of periodical cicadas that emerge every 13 or 17 years, reported the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network, and they'll emerge when soil temperatures reach 64 degrees. While annual cicadas emerge worldwide each year, periodical cicadas can only be found in the eastern United States, the Enquirer reported. The last time this brood appeared was in 2008, says Gene Kritsky, founder of Cicada Safari, a group a group that gathers data on the insects, and biology professor at Mount Saint Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Brood XIV cicadas will emerge on a small part of Long Island in the coming months as periodical cicadas typically emerge in May and June, according to the New York State Department of Conservation. However, it's unclear what this year's cicada population will look like on Long Island as it's been declining for at least the last two cycles — or 34 years — and the area has experienced some severe droughts, Kritsky says. Here's a map of the anticipated 2025 Brood XIV cicada emergence created by USA TODAY: Cicadas, which are often mistaken for locusts, are insects that belong to the hemiptera order, which includes stink bugs, bed bugs, aphids and cicada families, Kritsky said. The oldest historical record of Brood XIV cicadas is from 1634, when Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony recorded them, according to Kritsky. However, Native Americans knew of them for centuries prior to European contact, he wrote on his website. There are three different species of 17-year periodical cicadas, Kritsky added: Magicicada septendecim, magicicada cassini and magicicada septendecula. There are some differences among the three species, such as their calls and colors. Here are some additional facts about cicadas, according to Kritsky: Only male cicadas sing or make that buzzing noise they're known for and they do so by using sound-producing structures called tymbals, which are located on the side of their abdomens. Cicadas typically make the most noise during the day and Kritsky has recorded their calls or songs at decibel readings of 102, which is louder than jets flying into an airport. There are many more male cicadas than females because female cicadas die after mating once while males mate until they can't anymore, then die. After mating, female cicadas lay eggs in branches on trees, which hatch 6-10 weeks later and the young cicadas head underground, where they feed on grass roots. Contributing: USA TODAY Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network's New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@ This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Cicada Brood XIV to emerge in NY soon: When to expect them
USA Today
10-05-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Cicada map 2025: New sightings of Brood XIV class seen in multiple states after 17 years
Cicada map 2025: New sightings of Brood XIV class seen in multiple states after 17 years Spring is in full gear with warmer temperatures, rainy weather and of course, the arrival of one of the nosiest insects. Neighborhoods in the eastern half of the United States have already begun hearing buzzing and clicking as cicadas make their 2025 debut. While a nuisance to some, the bugs' presence marks a rare occurrence as the Brood XIV class is emerging for the first time since 2008. The second largest periodical cicada brood appears every 17 years. Sightings are expected to occur in 13 U.S. states this year, Gene Kritsky, a professor at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, told USA TODAY. Since last week, 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. Here's what you need to know about Brood XIV, including whether cicadas will buzz in your area this year. Where have cicadas started to emerge? So far, most of the cicadas added to this year's Cicada Safari map are in western North Carolina, southern Kentucky and parts of Tennessee. As of May 9, cicadas have been reported in the following areas: Asheville-area, North Carolina - Around 700 sightings West of Knoxville, Tennessee - Around 90 sightings Nashville-area, Tennessee - Around 30 sightings Memphis, Tennessee area - 2 sightings Southern Kentucky - Around 160 sightings Western West Virginia - Around 40 sightings Cincinnati, Ohio area - Around 10 sightings Georgia - Around 10 sightings Northern Virginia - 1 sighting Trenton, New Jersey - 1 sighting Baltimore, Maryland - 1 sighting To keep track of cicada sightings, download the Cicada Safari mobile app, visit or Which brood of cicadas is emerging in 2025? This spring, residents can expect to see cicadas from Brood XIV, or periodical cicadas that emerge every 17 years. It's considered to be among the largest periodical cicada broods along with Brood XIX, which emerged in 2024, according to the University of Connecticut. Which states are expecting cicadas? 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, Kritsky said. 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. How long will cicadas stick around? Cicadas, which are called nymphs in their immature stage, don't all emerge in one night, Kritsky said. 'It takes about two full weeks for the great bulk of the cicadas to come out,' he said. 'Once they start coming out at a specific location, that starts the clock. You'll have cicadas at that location for the next six weeks.' The nymphs first make their way out of the ground, then crawl up a tree or an upright surface, Kritsky said. They then lock their claws onto the surface they've chosen. According to Cooley, come July, there will hardly be any sign of cicadas minus the holes in the ground and the eggs in the trees. How does this year's brood compare with last year's? Kritsky said this year's brood, XIV, will be heavy in some areas. The two broods from last year – the 13-year Brood XIX and the 17-year Brood XIII – emerged in more states, however. Another large 17-year brood, Brood X, emerged in 2021 in Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Can cicadas give me mites? Areas with a high cicadas presence often lure oak leaf itch mites through their eggs, Kritsky said. People may be bitten by mites if they spend time under oak trees six to 10 weeks after the cicadas laid their eggs. 'The eggs start to hatch, but when they hatch, also leaving the egg nests are the mites,' he said. 'They drop out of the egg nests onto people and cause an itching reaction.' The answer to preventing the itching sensation is simple, he said: 'If they start emerging in mid-May, don't sit under the oak tree during the month of July.' Why do cicadas buzz? The buzzing noise associated with cicadas is their version of singing, Cooley said. The males sing three types of songs, engage in duets with the females and then mate, he told USA TODAY. More on the next brood: Are cicadas returning this year? What to know about Brood XIV and where to spot them Is my garden safe with cicadas? Kritsky said people worried about their gardens should not fret. Cicadas don't eat, they drink, he said. They initially feed on grass roots and then later puncture the xylem tissue that carries water to tree leaves. If anything, the only damage cicadas cause is when females lay eggs at the ends of branches, sometimes breaking branches and turning the leaves brown. 'However, that doesn't kill the tree,' he said. 'It actually can be possibly beneficial because it's like a natural pruning. ... The flower next year will be even larger.' How to track cicada sightings Kritsky collects data on cicadas via his Cicada Safari app and website. He encourages parents and guardians to talk to their children about cicadas and try out some of the activities he has listed on his website. Cicada enthusiasts can even talk to their parents and grandparents about cicadas that have emerged over the past few decades. 'If you're lucky enough to live in an area where the cicadas are and you've got kids, take them outside during the night,' he said. 'Let them see this. This is a once-in-a-generation activity. They'll never forget it.' Brood XIV: See the 2025 cicada map This map shows roughly where Brood XIV is expected to make an appearance this spring, however, experts say it can be tricky to know exactly which counties will have confirmed sightings. Contributing: Emily DeLetter
New York Post
07-05-2025
- Science
- New York Post
‘Screaming' trees spread across US as cicada brood emerges after 17 years
Cicadas of Brood XIV have begun to emerge this spring, starting in the Southeast and making their way to the Northeast. Brood XIV is a cohort of periodical cicadas, in which each succeeding generation of the insects emerges every 17 years. They emerge when soil temperatures reach 64 to 65 degrees, which cues the insects to burrow to the surface. This year, soil temperatures were such that the first batch of Brood XIV cicadas began emerging in northern Georgia around the last week of April, according to Gene Kritsky, Professor Emeritus of Biology at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati and founder of the cicada database app Cicada Safari. Soon after, cicadas began emerging in areas such as Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee, with several hundred confirmed in Asheville, North Carolina. 'Asheville is just bursting with them right now,' Kritsky said. A few cicadas have been reported in parts of the Ohio River Basin, such as Louisville, Kentucky. Preliminary reports have already come in from as far north as Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Just getting started As the warm temperatures of spring continue to spread northward, more cicadas are due to emerge. 4 This year, soil temperatures were such that the first batch of Brood XIV cicadas began emerging in northern Georgia around the last week of April. Cicada Safari Kritsky forecast the emergence of Brood XIV by location, using a meteorological model he developed while researching potato farming. Much like potatoes, cicadas grow underground and at a depth of about 4-6 inches. This method has allowed Kritsky to predict when cicadas will emerge with 90% accuracy, he said. Here is when some states are expected to see the emergence of Brood XIV this year: Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania – Second week of May. Massachusetts – Late May. 'Screaming' trees 4 Cicadas began to emerge in areas such as Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee, with several hundred confirmed in Asheville, North Carolina. Cicada Safari Once out of the ground, the male cicadas of Brood XIV will take up shop in nearby trees and produce their iconic loud buzzing sounds to attract females. 'The trees will just be screaming with all these males singing,' Kritsky said to FOX Weather. 'I have measured the intensity – the highest I've ever measured is 102 decibels. Commonly, you'll see them coming in at 90 decibels. That's louder than the planes landing at Dulles.' After mating, the female cicadas lay their eggs in the trees. As the adults die off, the eggs hatch, and cicada nymphs are born. The nymphs – the next generation of Brood XIV – then drop to the ground and burrow their way into the soil, where they will feed off the roots of trees and grass for the next 17 years. Brood XIV is one of 15 known cicada broods, Kritsky said. He noted that 12 of the broods follow a 17-year cycle, whereas three follow the 13-year cycle. Deforestation impacting cicadas 4 Montreal-based audio artist Alex Lane records cicada mating calls from a tree at Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center in Springfield, Illinois, on June 3, 2024. TNS There are certain factors that can impact the cycles of cicada broods. One of which involves the removal of forests, as the cicadas need trees to survive, be it as part of their mating ritual or as their food source while they are underground. 'As we remove our forests, we are also removing cicadas,' Kritsky said, noting that the cicada distribution in the U.S. is patchy due to land use and deforestation. This can also apply to Mother Nature removing trees. Historic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, where cicadas from Brood XIV are supposed to emerge this year, uprooted countless trees and wiped out large areas of forest last fall. Whether the cicada emergence in the Tarheel State will be affected is yet to be seen. 'In the past, if the tree hasn't been totally uprooted, that means the cicadas will very likely be fine,' Kritsky said. 'But if the tree has been blown over, uprooted, that's going to destroy a lot of cicadas.' 4 As the warm temperatures of spring continue to spread northward, more cicadas are due to emerge, according to reports. AFP via Getty Images To help record the distribution of the cicadas, Kritsky said people can note their observations in the free app Cicada Safari. The information, along with cicada photos, that people provide will help with research about cicadas.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
'Screaming' trees spread from South to Northeast as cicada brood emerges
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Cicadas of Brood XIV have begun to emerge this spring, starting in the Southeast and making their way to the Northeast. Brood XIV is a cohort of periodical cicadas, in which each succeeding generation of the insects emerges every 17 years. They emerge when soil temperatures reach 64 to 65 degrees, which cues the insects to burrow to the surface. This year, soil temperatures were such that the first batch of Brood XIV cicadas began emerging in northern Georgia around the last week of April, according to Gene Kritsky, Professor Emeritus of Biology at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati and founder of the cicada database app Cicada Safari. Cicada in northern Georgia. Soon after, cicadas began emerging in areas such as Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee, with several hundred confirmed in Asheville, North Carolina. Cicada around Asheville, North Carolina. "Asheville is just bursting with them right now," Kritsky said. A few cicadas have been reported in parts of the Ohio River Basin, such as Louisville, Kentucky. Preliminary reports have already come in from as far north as Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Cicada in Knoxville, Tennessee. As the warm temperatures of spring continue to spread northward, more cicadas are due to emerge. Kritsky forecast the emergence of Brood XIV by location, using a meteorological model he developed while researching potato farming. Much like potatoes, cicadas grow underground and at a depth of about 4-6 inches. This method has allowed Kritsky to predict when cicadas will emerge with 90% accuracy, he said. Here is when some states are expected to see the emergence of Brood XIV this year: Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania - Second week of May. Massachusetts - Late May. Blue dots indicate where cicadas of Brood XIV will emerge. Once out of the ground, the male cicadas of Brood XIV will take up shop in nearby trees and produce their iconic loud buzzing sounds to attract females. "The trees will just be screaming with all these males singing," Kritsky said to FOX Weather. "I have measured the intensity – the highest I've ever measured is 102 decibels. Commonly, you'll see them coming in at 90 decibels. That's louder than the planes landing at Dulles." Billions Of Cicadas To Begin Buzzing In Days As 'Rolling Emergence' Set To Hit East Coast After mating, the female cicadas lay their eggs in the trees. As the adults die off, the eggs hatch and cicada nymphs are born. The nymphs – the next generation of Brood XIV – then drop to the ground and burrow their way into the soil, where they will feed off the roots of trees and grass for the next 17 years. Brood XIV is one of 15 known cicada broods, Kritsky said. He noted that 12 of the broods follow a 17-year cycle, whereas three follow the 13-year cycle. Cicadas of Brood XIV from 2007. There are certain factors that can impact the cycles of cicada broods. One of which involves the removal of forests, as the cicadas need trees to survive – be it as part of their mating ritual or as their food source while they are underground. "As we remove our forests, we are also removing cicadas," Kritsky said, noting that the cicada distribution in the U.S. is patchy due to land use and deforestation. This can also apply to Mother Nature removing trees. Historic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina , where cicadas from Brood XIV are supposed to emerge this year, uprooted countless trees and wiped out large areas of forest last fall . Downed trees after Helene in Old Fort, North Carolina. How To Watch Fox Weather Whether the cicada emergence in the Tarheel State will be affected is yet to be seen. "In the past, if the tree hasn't been totally uprooted, that means the cicadas will very likely be fine," Kritsky said. "But if the tree has been blown over, uprooted, that's going to destroy a lot of cicadas." To help record the distribution of the cicadas, Kritsky said people can note their observations in the free app Cicada Safari . The information, along with cicada photos, people provide will help with research about cicadas. Original article source: 'Screaming' trees spread from South to Northeast as cicada brood emerges
