Periodical cicada Brood IX (9) emerged in the spring of 2020 in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. The last time this brood emerged was in 2003. It will emerge again in 2037.
Researchers need your help! If you see a cicada, please report it using the Cicada Safari App , available for Android and Apple phones.
Brood IX is interesting to researchers because it’s located very close to 5 other broods. In a normal year, researchers would be able to drive the roads of the area and map the location of the brood so we can get data as to where the broods intersect, but because of the current situation in the U.S., most if not all researchers will be able to travel — so we need you to let us know where they’re at. Read more on Cicadas @ UCONN (formerly Magicicada.org).
What, when, where, and why:
What:
- Cicada insects with a 17-year life cycle.
- Some people call them “locusts” but they’re really cicadas.
- Which species: All three 17-year species, Magicicada septendecim, Magicicada cassini and Magicicada septendecula. How to tell the difference between the species.
- NOT the green ones that arrive annually.
When: Typically beginning in mid-May and ending in late June. These cicadas will begin to emerge approximately when the soil 8" beneath the ground reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit (Heath, 1968). A nice, warm rain will often trigger an emergence.
Other tips: these cicadas will emerge after the trees have grown leaves, and, by my own observation, around the same time Iris flowers bloom.
Where:
- Virginia municipalities: Blacksburg, Bland, Callands, Christiansburg, Covington, Dry Pond, Ferrum, Martinsville, Roanoke, Salem, Vinton, and more.
- Virginia counties: Allegheny, Bland, Franklin, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Roanoke.
- North Carolina municipalities: Chestnut Hill, Ennice, Francisco, Hays, Kernersville, McGrady, Millers Creek, Mt Airy, North Wilkesboro, Purlear, Thurmond, Westfield, and more.
- North Carolina counties: Ashe, Alleghany, Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes.
- West Virginia municipalities: Camp Creek, Elmhurst, Hinton, Jumping Branch, Spanishburg, and more.
- West Virginia counties: Fayette, Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Pocahontas, Summers.
A quick tip using data from the Cicada Safari app team:
Cicadas in the north-west areas are Brood IX (red). Cicadas south & east of that area (purple) are Brood XIX emerging early.
Maps, Apps, and Tips:
- Cicadas @ UCONN has the most up to date maps.
- The Cicada Safari App is available for Android and Apple devices. Use it to see where people are finding cicadas, and to report your own sightings.
- City data comes from May 2003 reports and June 2003 reports.
- Not sure? Ask someone in your community who lived there 17 years ago.
Why: Why do they stay underground for 17-years? The prevailing research suggests they’ve evolved a long, 17-year lifecycle to avoid predators that can sync up with their lifecycle & emergence. Why are there so many?! Research suggests that their huge numbers allow them to overwhelm predators, so enough of them will live on to breed and perpetuate the brood.
More facts and fun:
- Use the correct image when talking about these cicadas.
- Use the Periodical Cicada Emergence Checklist for the Maximum Magicicada Experience.
- All cicada questions that are frequently asked.
- A video to help you tell the difference between the species.
- The 17 Most Interesting Periodical cicada facts.
1907 Map from Marlatt, C.L.. 1907. The periodical cicada. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Bureau of Entomology.
The larger dots are valid. Tiny dots, no. See a modern map, or the Live Map from the Cicada Safari app.
134 replies on “Brood IX (9) will emerge in 2020 in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia”
I’ve heard very little circada sounds this summer and I was looking forward to this summer’s extravaganza.
I live in Greensboro, NC. Any ideas about why I’m missing out?
I have them everywhere on my acre lot in Cary, N.C. Wooded lot, I have seen more in late August and now in September than any other time so far.
Spotted exoskeletons by the dozen on tree in my yard, Harnett County NC
I haven’t seen or heard any in Russell County Va.. Hoping I will.. but it’s August already..
I live in Eden, NC (Rockingham County) and the cicadas are still deafening. I live on about 30 acres. The cicadas have built a homestead here where I have a bid sanctuary in my backyard. Can’t hear the birds for the cicadas! And it’s mid-August. When will they go away? I am a writer and it’s hard to concentrate as they are soooo loud.
bird sanctuary
I’m in Southeast Louisiana and my yard currently is filled with huge holes because of them. Can anyone explain why are the here if they should be up North? They just were here 2 years ago.
When will the 17 year cicadas arrive in Orange County, NC? About how long will they be here?
Thanks
Maybe 2024. Brood XIX. That’s the closest.
I tracked one my backyard tree after I heard huge noise. I live in West Cary, NC
Are the cicadas responsible for the breaking off of small tree limbs we are seeing everywhere? Do they chew the small limbs? Our young maples are suffering.
@Julie, it sounds like cicadas. The damage to tree branches occurs when the female cicadas lay eggs in tree branches. Does it look like the video and photo on this page?
Maples usually survive cicada damage, unless the tree is very small.
Yes, it does. Seems to be affecting maples and dogwoods mostly, but should I spray with Neem Oil, or would that help?
Not sure if Neem would help.
I live in Hillsville, Carroll county VA. Over the last 2 weeks, I have the absolute delight of seeing 17-year cicadas emerging from my back yard. Now I hear at least 2 different songs; One is a steady drone, the other is a high-low sing-song trill. Is there more than one species out there?
@Dortia, there’s 2 to 3 species you might be hearing. Sometimes when they get together and chorus they sound different.
You can listen to the different songs here: https://www.cicadamania.com/cicadas/where-will-17-13-year-periodical-cicadas-emerge-next/#species
I have seen masses of cicadas in the past few weeks at Barger Springs in Summers County and just in the past week at Watoga State Park in Pocahontas County-both in West Virginia.
Thanks for the report Ana!
Does anyone know whether or not cicadas affect honeybees? We have a large apiary, but have only been beekeeping since 2008 so never through a cicada year. This year however the hives are healthy but there is very little honeybee activity around our farm.
@Patti, they might get in the way of regular bee activity, but I’ve never heard of cicadas intentionally harming bees. You might want to give Gene Kritsky an email https://www.msj.edu/faculty-and-staff-directory/faculty-directory/gene-kritsky.html He studies both cicadas and bees.
We had our largest numbers today. We saw many lat week at camp creek state park. I live near Arista Mountain in Mercer Co. They were so loud we had the volume turn up today in our brick house just to hear the tv. I was working in my garden and they were flying everywhere. Many landed on me. I always enjoy this spectacle of nature. I can remember each year and have many fond memories from a boy to an adult. I have caught so many fish using them as bait. It is kind of sad because at my age I fear this will be my last encounter.
I live on Cook School Road in Pilot Mountain, we have been swamped with Cicadas, for the past 3 weeks. They are everywhere, flying in your hair and landing on you when you’re in the yard. Also very very loud from daylight till dawn. Does anyone know when they will be gone?
@Carole, a few more weeks. Generally speaking, they’re done before July 1st.
We are in Roanoke,VA and these Brood IX are everywhere in the Cave Spring area of Roanoke. Zip code here is 24018. They are also extra loud. So strange they are. They live for what appears to be a short time once they shed their skin. I find them dead laying around daily. It’s like they mate then die. Very strange creatures indeed but the dogs love them.
We have rented a cabin at Greenbrier State Forest the last week of June, 2020. Will we be experiencing them while we are there? When should they be gone from the White Sulphur Springs area in WV?
Saw and heard Brood IX in Floyd County VA just north of FLoyd. Very loud and interesting looking with their orange eyes. Didn’t recognize them until seeing the pics on this site. Thanks!
Last weekend (June 6 and 7), we drove around NC and VA looking for cicadas. We found a hotspot at Collinsville Jaycee Park in Colinsville NC, loud loud singing! And then a second hotspot at New Hope Church on Old Forge Road in Rocky Mount, VA. The whole drive between these two spots (30+ miles) had pockets of singing and flying cicadas. The next day, we hiked in Stone Mountain State Park in NC (the hike to Wolf Rock), and the whole time we heard the hum of cicadas, and saw them flying around periodically on the hike. From the top of Wolf Rock, you could hear them 365 degrees around you.
We spent the week at Camp Creek state park in Camp Creek WV and the park was loaded with them. Every day sounded like a Sci-FI movie. Tons of casings and Live Cicada.
This past weekend (June 7-8) Brood 9 (I assume) they really started cranking Behind our house 2 mi from Dobson NC. Also, there are tons going up Cedar Ridge trail in Doughton Park, starting about a 1/4 mile up the Cedar Ridge trail off of Longbottom Rd (about 7 miles west of Stone Mtn.St. Prk). I stopped to gaze about an hour at an open patch where they were easily visible, watching them line up vertically on small tree trunks, flying around –one ran into my face:)- and enjoying their whining calls. I was able to collect a couple of dead ones (not just the molted ones) on the trail as well. Wonders of nature! Another good spot was MST near Stone Mtn Park going down past the Country Store, is an opening area where they are were swarming. As I’m 66, may not get to see this bunch again! BTW, these are the friendliest “bug” around, I don’t understand the fears some have expressed! Mosquitoes are way worse!
Will they make it to South west PA. We are due for them again. Best fishing bait I ever found.
This year, you might find a few stragglers from Brood V.
I see a couple on the map https://cicadamap.msj.edu when I zoom in.
Been in Glade Hill VA for about 2 weeks.
Wilkes County, Buck Mountan, North Carolina. Very loud this morning. 7:00 AM. Listen below.
Brood IX arrived around 2 weeks ago here in Snowville, Pulaski County, VA. They are getting louder by the day and are everywhere in the high country now. The sound is deafening at times during morning to late-afternoon. Two days ago they started before dawn around 4:30 am. They usually slow and stop calling around or just after sunset. No flagging seen yet, but I suspect that will happen in July big-time. I’ve noticed while traveling the county that there are some spots with higher concentrations and some void of any at all.
I live in Southern WV in Fayette County. My neighbor and I started to notice the singing in late May. Started to see holes under the Chestnut tree and shells. It was then we figured the critters were back. Remember the last time they were here but not the exact date. Can’t forget the noise they make once you’ve heard it. You know.
We found a dead one day before yesterday in Parrish, FL. (Bradenton). I was surprised to see it know they were supposed to be in the northeast this year.
@Wendy, it must have been one of these species.
I love in south suburban Chicago and woke up to see them on my trees this morning!
WOW!!!! The cicadas ‘singing’ is incredibly LOUD!!!! Sounds like the old 50’s movie ‘War of the World’s’ and the aliens have landed! When we are outside, we are practically yelling at each other.
We are in Roaring River, Wilkes County, NC, surrounded by woods and the cicadas must LOVE it here. We’re loaded with ’em!!!
Here in Franklin county Virginia what a noise they are every where our cats chase them they look like science fiction monsters those red eyes
Yes. I live in Callaway in Franklin county. They are so numerous and noisy. I did notice that at night they do not make noise. I could hear frogs but no cicadas. I guess the sleep at night. Who knew?
We went up to Levering Orchard in Virginia, about 15 min. out of Fancy Gap. Found empty nymph shells all over the trees and singing all over the mountain. Could still hear the chorus by the time we got back to Mt. Airy.
We own property on the Wilkes County Surry county line and they have been out since Tuesday. Incredibly loud, on all the trees.
I live Asbury/Westfield, NC area. They are getting louder, so that tells me they are getting closer. My home is in Stokes County and about 3 miles from home is the Westfield Post Office (Surry county) 5/28/20–mid morning the building was covered with locust.
Brood IX have started in Piney Creek, NC. Alleghany county. They have been hatching the past week and have noticed their noise the last couple days.
I haven’t seen these red cicadas in a long time. I usually see the large green ones later in the year. It is end of may and I found one in my pool yesterday,29th. Woke up this morning and found a small shell on the screen on my porch. I live in north Alabama. Is this normal I thought we had a few more years before they showed back up?
May 28, 2020 Grayson County VA Independence and Mouth of Wilson Area. They are here. How or what can we do to keep them from eating all our plants, trees, etc.?
@ nanette, they don’t actually eat the plants or trees. when they no cause damage, it happens when the females lay eggs in tree branches. Small trees are most effected — not hearty trees. The way most people protect against them is to put insect barrier tape around the tree trunk, or netting around the tree. Again, I’m talking about smaller, delicate trees like ornamental apples and cherry trees. Not massive oaks.
Working near Branderwood subdivision off Buck Mountain Road (near rt. 220) in Roanoke County today. Woods adjoining it and the Blue Ridge Parkway we’re singing very loudly with the sounds of Brood 9. Heard a few of them in one other location (Salem) and have have seen a few here and there. Greater numbers are sure to be coming.
I noticed at the end of April that a couple of garbage bags full of lawn clipping, when moved after a few days, exposed holes and tunnels in the dirt underneath them. Apparently they were already active near the top of the ground as early as late April. We saw our first above ground around 5/15/20 and now the backyard is crunchy with them. This is Greenbrier county, WV
I just saw one for the first time in Purlear 2 days ago.
In the White Plains area of Surry County N.C. these have been out for about 2 weeks now. The last time they were here, 17 years ago, we had so many they had an odor and we shoveled them up by the shovel fulls. Hope they are not that bad this year.
I also live in the White Plains area, NC. I noticed tons of the husks in my yard last weekend and their sounds during the day are so loud. They are very intriguing to me. But I hope they don’t completely take over and ruin my plants..
We live in Fieldale Virginia just outside of Martinsville and have cicadas everywhere! To the extent that it is creepy. The humming and high pitched squeal is getting louder each day. Not sure if it means there are more of them or they are getting closer to the house. We live on 65 acres mostly woods so have them all around us. I’d never seen or heard of them before and do find them a bit spooky to say the least.
Sounds like heaven. My lease is coming up at my New Jersey home, and I think I’ll move to Florida. Here’s a list of Florida cicadas.
Wilkes county NC is waking up. The noise is constant and loud and I suspect just the tip of the Iceberg
I live in Indianapolis and was gardening this afternoon and I kept finding larvae very close to the surface. Since Indianapolis isn’t in the geographical range for this brood, I was wondering if someone might be able to tell me why I am seeing so many?
Hello All,
I am a filmmaker from Baltimore MD coming to Roanoke soon to document this phenomenon. Would love to connect with fellow Cicada enthusiasts.
Here is some of our work: https://gardencreative.co
my cinematography reel here: https://vimeo.com/415151472/3119fea7c6
Would love to meet / talk to people who are interested / currently investigating the cicadas!
Hey I live in Roanoke county and the cicadas are everywhere! Started finding hole in the ground out by the tree I put my dog out by. Now the critters are everywhere all different stages. Now there is a constant hum all around the woods and we’ve been trying to figure out where it’s coming from and what it is. Kids think it’s aliens haha, but I suspect it may be the cidadas!
I remember seeing them a few years back. have not seen any in a long time here in Mississippi
I live 3 miles from the Virginia border in Stokes county, NC. Approx.10 miles from Westfield. We are experiencing Brood IX right now. It’s been about 9 days. The noise they make, just started yesterday. I had never seen them before. Very intrigued by them for sure. They sound like the hum of tires on asphalt on a hot day. A steady, high pitched hum.
Very cool indeed. I am 53 years old and I live in Tennessee now but i remember a long time ago living in Chicago in my early 20’s and these little guys came out. It was amazing and what a sight to see but also a huge nuisance. They got in everything! It was so loud people were going crazy. All of the animals were loving it. Just about everything eats these little Cicadas. Also your heading about being the most amazing insect in the world…well here in Tennessee our lightning bugs are the most unique and amazing in the world. They all light up at the same time here.
I live in Virginia now but lived just outside of Nashville in 2011 when the 13 year cicadas came out. I remember standing on my back deck listening to them buzz – so many together that it sounded in the distance like the whirr of a spaceship. And yes, the lighting bugs are awesome in TN. Also, at this moment I’m listening to the chirps of spring peeper frogs that came out after all the rain we’ve had this week.
Read The Cicadas on Amazon by author Shawn Penning. I like the audio book. Fiction but interesting.
We are in a new construction home site in Madison County NC been out getting a garden started and have come across many of these red/orange bodied guys underground as we dig up weeds…not above ground yet been chilly and wet
I have lived in Albuquerque for 38 years.
We have cicadas EVERY year.
@Melody, that’s true, but not the periodical species. Here’s a list of the species found in New Mexico.
worth the eon long 17 year wait , they are here in mason county WV !!! tens of thousands said to be buzzing in abandoned war bunker domes near point pleasant, WV,((MOTHMAN))red eyed cousin? HaHa noize is deafening !! I’ve see flying swarms as dark as dirty motor oil from a car, old Indian lore here says a fresh cycle of emerging locusts come before a massive earthquake, those big fault line rumors in south illinois keep ”buzzing”
Why is Texas not on the list? I can remember cicadas growing up in and around Victoria and Hallettsville. But they seemed constant. We even played with them so I know for a fact they were around. You can hear them during the summer in southeast Texas.
@K, Texas has Brood IV (4) which last emerged in 2015, and will emerge again in 2032. There’s other types of cicadas of course. Here’s a full list of cicadas in Texas.
I live in Chicago and last week I was mowing the lawn and noticed all these holes in the lawn from your post this would not be the area but the description of the holes are the same
One tree is a pine and the other is pear tree the holes are all over between the 2 trees
If some cicadas emerge, let us know. Chicago is in range for Brood XIII cicadas emerging 4 years early.
I have a bush with several dozen husks on it, and many more on my house and in the tall grass. I think they are all hatching out in my yard in Franklin County Virginia, south of Cahas Mountain.
Lisa, we moved from Cahas Mt Rd about 6 years ago (2014). We remember the Cicada invasion very well. The noise was deafening!
I have a lot of them on a new clearing in the Crossroads Church area of Dobson, NC. They started coming out last Friday.
Been emerging out of front lawn for a week or so here in Thurmond, Wilkes County NC
Saw my first one yesterday, May 18 , here in Craig County, Va. It was attached to my vehicle’s tire tread !
I have seen several in Thurmond NC. Mostly in my garden. Where would I send a photo to when I see my next one?
They are in the Benham area of Wilkes County
Love
Noticed them in my vineyard a few days ago and more numbers today. Seem to affect small multiple areas.
We saw one in Nashville, TN this morning on our back patio. Took a picture and it is DEFINITELY this one. Odd that they are in middle TN, too.
I am in Surry County near the VA line. We have noticed a large number of cicadas here in the past few days.
All over the place in Southern Roanoke County twords Floyd
I heard my first ones today. I have not seen one yet, but the sound is unmistakable I am on Brown Mountain in Stokes County, NC I remember the 2003 emergence. It is too soon to compare.
They are all over my yard in Mulberry in Wilkes County.
Started seeing them this week (May 11-17) Stokes County, NC, Sandy Ridge, along the NC-Va line. About 15 minutes south of Stuart Va.
We have a lot if them around tree in front yard started seeing them about a week ago Bassett Vs Henry county
They are back in Hays, NC. (Wilkes Co). They are everywhere ioutside at our house but seem to love our Maple tree and the area around it the best. They seem to love my mosquito plant as well. We satb at our picnic table yesterday which is right under our Maple tree and they kept landing on us. I can remember when they were here in 2013.
I just found a tight grouping of 7 on my wooden porch rail today. My daughter discovered some while digging in her garden about a half mile away from my house. I don’t remember seeing or hearing them around here since I was a child, about 50 years ago (daughter and I live on our family’s farm of 240 acres).
Btw, we are in Cass County, Michigan, just a few miles north of St. Joseph County, Indiana.
Will we have them in Randolph Co. NC this year? So far I haven’t seen or heard them
@Ellen, you might get some straggles from Brood XIX this year. That brood will be back in full force in 2024.
Swarming all over my yard, beginning around May 14th. Snow Creek(Franklin County, VA)
Definitely hear in Roanoke, VA. Trying to get my garden in, and they’re all over the place. Now I’m afraid they’ll eat my crops.
Saw the first ones around my neighborhood May 14 in Figsboro, VA – Henry County
The whole side of our house is covered in cicadas here in Callands, VA!
Saw my first cicada on the lawn on May 15. Today, the 16th, they are everywhere!
Jerry
Mount Airy, NC
OMG they ick me out so much!!! I know they were here (Greensboro NC) maybe 5 years ago!!! Why are they back so soon? And how long until they are gone? First it’s Covid, then Monster Hornets on the way…and now this??? You’ve got to be kidding me!!!!
I just went out to my forsythia bush and found it covered in “bugs!” Looked them up online and found they are cicadas. We’re in Rocky Mount, VA.
May 16, 2020
I woke up to these all over my porch this morning. We live in Dobson NC
I’ve been seeing them for about the last week in Durham, NC. It’s definitely these with the red eyes.
Today May 13 2020 back yard full of these. They are out of the holes some are still hatching out into their new bodies. Afternoon they come out hundreds of them. Looking forward from them to leave. First year we planted garden. And they are everywhere. Wilkes County Hays NC
Headed to southern WV on Friday for a week and hoping to see some of Brood IX emerging but I know it has been cold there like in northeast Ohio…but know it will get warmer this coming week. What are my odds?
@Denise — check the Cicada Safari app to see where they’re emerging.
cicadas have arrived in Ferrum, Virginia on Masons Lane. I saw holes in the ground the last 2 weeks. I wondered what was causing such perfect little round holes. Then we were walking in our yard Sunday May 10th and found a lot of shells on my butterfly bush. So I know they are back.
Oneda Mason, we lived in Callaway on Six Mile Post until January 2020. I talked to a Henry friend today who says she has them as well. She was knocking them into a cup and feeding them to her chickens and they loved it!!!
Massive amounts of cicadas in southern Franklin County. We don’t have chickens but our dogs can’t get enough of them. They are like a toy and snack!
Not looking forward to their return here in Mercer County, WV.
I literally cannot hear myself think when they reach their apex of noise!
I live in Marion County, WV. When we had these icky bugs in 2003, my backyard looked like swiss cheese, as it was riddled with the cicada emergence holes–Hundreds upon hundreds of them. We got hit really bad with the things. So far, the emergence holes are not as numerous as before, but either way, I am absolutely petrified of them. I know the bugs “cannot hurt me”…. but the absolute fear is real. I am in tears as I type, Spiders, snakes, no problem. I won’t leave the house till they are gone. Ordering necessities and will only go to the store at night, if I need essentials. Sorry for the length, but my fear is debilitatingly real.
I am also petrified. I wish I knew what to do to keep them away from me. I have panic attacks. I hope they don’t come to Ohio.
We live in Wheeling WV. We have 3 large Pin Oaks and are noticing up to hundreds of holes appearing around them in our yard. Are these circada’s?
@Joanna, Wheeling has Brood V, which last came out in 2016 and should be back until 2033. Cicadas can be surprising though, so if you see any emerge, let us know.
I remember seeing & hearing them in Nelson Co. In 2013. What brood was that? What was its range?
@Kay, I think Nelson county is Brood II. 2013 was Brood II. https://cicadas.uconn.edu/brood_02/
They are here in Pittsboro in Chatham County. I tried the app but it didn’t like my photo;)
We have a bunch of them here in Durham, NC. I am sure it is more convenient for data collection, but I am not installing an app on my phone to report cicadas. Best luck with that.
I live in upstate ny in Lewis county and on may 2nd found one in my driveway, wasn’t positive it was a cicada but looked it and had positive I’d of the insect
@Barry, in upstate NY, my guess is it’s a Okanagana.
I’ve seen a few Apache cicadas over the past week in Arizona . Are we due for anything better?
@Jake, I’m not sure to be honest. Their peak seems to be July, so if you’re seeing them now, you probably have 2-3 months of them to go.
I have seen a few juvenile cicadas here in Elberton, Georgia. From April 26 -29. Should they be emerging in Georgia this year?
@Lafreda, they’re not supposed to be, but some are. It sounds like members of Brood XIX (19) emerging 4 years early.
I am seeing images of periodical cicadas emerging in central NC over the past week (Orange ad Chatham counties). Which brood is this as I thought Brood IX was more toward the western part of our state?
@Mike Chattham would be Brood XIX emerging 4 years early.
Huge numbers of Brood IX in Washington County, VA, the past week and a half. You said in an earlier post that the few I have been seeing in Chatham County NC are another brood emerging 4 years early. How common is such an early emergence (stragglers at best, in the dozens)? Caused by climate change?
so excited! i saw some of these guys emerging in 2003. i love your tip about the timing with the irises. I’ll be glad to share when I start to see and hear them… here on this website?
I thought they were coming in South West Ohio this year 0 2020
@Donna next year for Brood X https://www.cicadamania.com/cicadas/periodical-cicada-brood-x-10-will-emerge-in-15-states-in-2021/
Yes, but why?
I forgot to add the “Why”, didn’t I. Why do they stay underground for 17-years? The prevailing research suggests they’ve evolved a long, 17-year lifecycle to avoid predators that can sync up with their lifecycle. More info on that here.
They are definitely out today. Holes are all in my yard and I can’t hear the TV for the noise.
I’m pretty sure what you’re hearing are NOT cicadas, but rather, tree frogs. Cicada generally emerge in hotter temperatures. The tiny tree frogs always arrive in later March.
NS
Hey Dan, my Aunt spotted a shell today in her yard. She sent me a pic, and it looks like an annual cicada shell. But this can’t be true because it’s March! I know we had really no winter this year and a lot of the time it was above average temperatures, can that be somehow confusing them? Also, can you add specific parks of where brood 9 will be? Thanks.
I found a live nymph in my yard two days ago in Westfield, NC (Stokes County). It’s the first time I’ve ever seen a live nymph (usually just find the husks). iNaturalist identified it as a periodical cicada.