18-03-2025
NJ, 12 other states set for cicada invasion this summer. Here's what to expect
New Jersey is set to have one of its noisiest summers in 17 years.
There's a loud and noisy swarm of insects coming. And this year the group of insects with long life cycles called periodical cicada Brood XIV (14) — will emerge in the millions and be making a buzz in 13 states.
Brood XIV is the second largest periodical cicada brood after Brood XIX and is larger than Brood X.
According to a Cicada Mania, these specific Magicicadas will begin to emerge sometime in May and June when the soil beneath the ground reaches 64 degrees.
Here's what to know about the swarm coming to New Jersey:
Periodical cicadas insects with long life cycles that live underground that emerge in periodic mass emergences, striking appearance, and noisy behaviors. There are seven species — four with 13-year life cycles and three with 17-year cycles. The three 17-year species are generally northern in distribution, while the 13-year species are generally southern and midwestern, according to
There are 13 states that will et loud this spring. Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, according to a USAToday report.
All three 17-year species, Magicicada septendecim, Magicicada cassini and Magicicada septendecula will emerge in Atlantic, Camden, Ocean counties and these cities:
Linwood
Manchester Township
Winslow Township
All periodical cicadas of the same life cycle that emerge in the same year are known collectively as a single 'brood' (or 'year-class'). They emerge on a common schedule, according to
Periodical cicadas are grouped into geographic broods based on the calendar year they emerge and are assigned a Roman numeral. In 1898 30 different broods were discovered
Once they hatch they burrow underground, where different broods like Brood XIXwill dwell for 13 years and Brood XIII will dwell for 17 years until they reappear as adults.
Sounds that are similar to sirens or cat-calling is they way the males attract the females cicadas. According to the clicking sound we hear at night that can be soothing or annoying is the when the male cicadas produces a sound from their tymbal organ. The frequency of the contractions of the tymbal muscle range from 120 to 480 times a second, which is fast enough to make it sound continuous to the human ear.
These are the congregational songs, in which males synchronize their calls that establish territory and attract females. The broods that produced the loudest songs are periodical ones that are emerging this year.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Cicada brood 2025: 17-year cicadas in Ocean County NJ this summer
