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Brood V Magicicada Periodical

Brood V 17-Year Cicadas Due in Spring of 2016

Brood V will next emerge in 2033.

This page was last updated in 2016.

Brood VBrood V (5) 17-year cicadas have emerged, this spring of 2016, in Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia & West Virginia.

Latest Updates:
(7/4/16): It’s a wrap! I’m sure there are some periodical cicadas hanging on out there, but for the most part, the emergence should be over. I hope you had fun.

(6/26/16): By now you should see (and hear) sharp declines in cicada populations. They’ll be gone in most places by July 4th. You should start to see Flagging of tree limbs where the cicadas lay their eggs. This is a natural part of the process.

New: Use our checklist to keep track of your Brood V experience!

Gene Kritsky has updated his book “In Your Backyard: Periodical Cicadas“. It is available for the low price of $4.99 for Kindle and Kindle readers. Totally worth it.

About Brood V:

The cicada species that will emerge are Magicicada cassinii (Fisher, 1852), Magicicada septendecim (Linnaeus, 1758), and Magicicada septendecula Alexander and Moore, 1962. These periodical cicadas have a 17-year life cycle. The last time they emerged was 1999.

When: Generally speaking, these cicadas will begin to emerge when the soil 8″ beneath the ground reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit. A nice, warm rain will often trigger an emergence. So, definitely May, but something might happen in April if we have a particularly hot spring.

Locations where they are likely to emerge:

This data comes from the Cicada Central Magicicada Database and other sources.

Although the cicadas will emerge in MD, NY, OH, PA, VA, and WV, the area is limited and patchy. No Brood V cicadas for D.C., Cincinnati, or NYC (people have asked). Their range is closer to this map (with cicadas in the orange areas):

Brood V range

Maryland:

Counties: Garrett.

New York:

Specific locations in L.I.:

  • Wildwood State Park – Confirmed!

Counties: Suffolk (Long Island).

Ohio:

Specific locations in Ohio:

  • The emergence should be good in the south eastern part of the state and in Summit, Medina, and southern Cuyahoga counties1.
  • Hocking State Forest, Hocking county, which is where James Edward Heath performed his investigation of periodical cicada Thermal Synchronization2.
  • Tar Hollow State Forest, in Laurelville, Hocking County, Ohio.
  • Strouds Run State Park, in Canaan Township, Athens County.
  • Athens, Athens County, Ohio
  • Findley State Park, Lorain County, Ohio.

Counties: Ashland, Ashtabula, Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Fairfield, Franklin, Gallia, Geauga, Guernsey, Harrison, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lake, Lawrence, Licking, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Meigs, Muskingum, Noble, Ottawa, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Portage, Richland, Ross, Sandusky, Scioto, Seneca, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Vinton, Washington, Wayne

Thanks to Roy Troutman, John Cooley, Chris Simon and Gene Kritsky for the tips!

Pennsylvania:

Counties: Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Somerset, Washington, Westmoreland

Virginia:

Specific locations in Virginia:

  • Douthat State Park, in Bath & Allegheny County Virginia.

Counties: Allegheny, Augusta, Bath, Highland, Richmond, Rockingham, Shenandoah

West Virginia:

Counties: Barbour, Boone, Braxton, Brooke, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Grant, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, Harrison, Jackson, Kanawha, Lewis, Marion, Marshall, Mason, Monongalia, Nicholas, Ohio, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Preston, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph, Ritchie, Roane, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Webster, Wetzel, Wirt, Wood

Learn more about Brood V:

For historical purposes, Here’s C. L. Marlatt’s map from 1914:

Marlatt, C.L.. 1914. The periodical cicada in 1914. United States. Bureau of Entomology. Brood Map for Brood V.
Marlatt, C.L.. 1914. The periodical cicada in 1914. United States. Bureau of Entomology

1 Kritsky, G., J. Smith, and N. T. Gallagher. 1999. The 1999 emergence of the periodical cicada in Ohio (Homoptera: Cicadidae: Magicicada spp. Brood V). Ohio Biological Survey Notes 2:43-47.

2 Thermal Synchronization of Emergence in Periodical “17-year” Cicadas (Homoptera, Cicadidae, Magicicada) by James Edward Heath, American Midland Naturalist, Vol.80, No. 2. (Oct., 1968), pp. 440-448.

* The map is based on this map from the Wikimedia Commons by Lokal_Profil.

305 replies on “Brood V 17-Year Cicadas Due in Spring of 2016”

Love this site so much. Thank you for all the work to present information.

With much gratitude for how much good info is here, reporting a typo in interest of even more reliable info: At this page on your site: https://www.cicadamania.com/cicadas/brood-v-17-year-cicadas-due-in-spring-of-2016/#:~:text=Brood%20V%20(5)%2017%2D,Pennsylvania%2C%20Virginia%20%26%20West%20Virginia.

A few lines down says “Brood V will next emerge in 3033.” This should read “Brood V will next emerge in 2033.” Hoping to see them!

Thank you.

Live in the city of Washington…cicadas are driving me nuts…is their any chance they will be gone by next week..(after a vacation)

Just came from a day at Atwood Lake in Carroll County. Cicadas were flying all over the beach – landing on us often. The noise was unbelievable. After several hours, I was ready to hightail it out of there. My sympathies to those of you living with them 24/7. We live in Canton, Oh and despite finding a few exoskeletons, I’ve heard nothing that resembles the squawking and buzzing I heard today.

I’m so over the cicadas….the last few days have been awful in New Alexandria…near Mingo Junction.
They are flying everywhere. I can’t hardly go outside without them landing on me. They have been singing since May 28th…how much longer? I miss going outside!

Interesting info that people should know…
I have never lived in cicada country until this year, the year of emergence. If the weather is good, I spend time out back with my cats. About two weeks ago, I started noticing that when I went in the house my ankles and feet were the size of softballs (?). Our yard is covered in cicada exoskeletons. As crazy as it sounded, I did some research and found that cicada exoskeletons have the same properties as lobster shells. People with shellfish allergies may also be allergic to cicadas. Who knew? My husband suggested wearing rain boots outside instead of regular shoes. The yard is still full of cicada shells, but I no longer have swollen ankles. I’d love to know if anyone else had a similar problem.

We do not have any yet, June 16th. They are all around us in the northern panhandle of WV! They are in OH PA and lower WV! You were great posting this allergy so others will be informed! Just wanted to say thank you! I live in Northern New Cumberland WV right in between OH and PA.

We live in a wooded area and I noticed an extreme increase in spiderwebs this spring. I mean literally…. the outside of my house looked like Miss Havisham lived in it! Then the cicadas came. Do the spiders know that they will be hatching? Anyone know if there is a correlation between cicadas and spider activity increase?

I have noticed thousands of spiders starting last yr. This year walking up through the yard over the fill dirt to improve our lower yard, their were patches of grass and every step I took tons of spiders moved to hide in next patch of grass. I sprayed bug killer and repelling spray at base of house, I don’t want them inside! As long as they stay in yard fine! Spiders are in a boom yr! I can’t believe the numbers!

I am over the cicadas. At first they were interesting. It was fascinating that I could hear them from far away (like an air raid siren) at the same time I could hear them up close, like a million giant crickets. But they’ve gone on too long. Some days they seem very much louder than other days. Like they’re angry or something. It’s slightly maddening. Washington County, PA.

Just came back to Texas after visit to western pa , it was cool to see the 17 year cicadas

Medina, Ohio (near Lake Medina) the sound is deafening today. If you are wanting to hear them!

I have hundreds of them in my back yard. The sound Is so loud it gave me a headache. My hubby tried to take a phone call but had to come inside because of the noise. We live in Medina, Oh. I hope they will be gone soon, can’t take much more of this.

I am in North Canton, Ohio. I have not seen or heard one cicada. Very disappointed.

I am in Northern New Cumberland in the Northern Panhandle of WV and we have none and am not disappointed at all! Still waiting for them but not happily! Not afraid but don’t like their numbers; the noise they make, or they way they land on your head and get sticky feet stuck in hair!

I worry about the cicadas now that the weather has gotten cold…I heard only a very few this morning, and tomorrow morning will be even colder 44 degrees or under! Will they survive?

I catch at least 200 cicadas daily (my plastic, lidded container has held as many as 230)and after wetting them I toss them into my 2 acre pond. It takes me at most 10 minutes to collect them as they are extremely abundant in the Tar Hollow State Forest area. The fish eat them vigorously but I have 5 ducks and the fish cannot compete with the ducks. If the ducks are near they will eat over 200 cicadas floating on the water in less than five minutes. I look at it as nature at it’s best. It’s cool to watch and the sound of fish and ducks sucking them up is music to my ears.

Love cicadas!!! I have none in my newly built neighborhood 🙁. Would it be worthwhile for my kids to transplant some into the hood from nearby forest?? Does grub control/ milky spore harm them?

I enjoy the “singing” when they are in the trees! However, this week they have taken to flying pall around and will fly right into your face, hang on you clothing, etc. I had a delivery made to my house on Tuesday; two young guys who were really freaked out by the cicadas flying right into them! I have been staying inside when I would love to be out planting flowers and working in the yard! They can’t go away fast enough at this point!!!

Dear Rich: If it is possible to transplant them to your neighborhood, I doubt your new neighbors will appreciate your doing this. They do damage to plants and trees. Recommend you move to an area that will have them coming soon. It’s every 13 to 17 years… doubt you will be living in that house to deal with the mess you will create if you can transplant! Go sit where they are and enjoy… or go camping there… you’ll love it.

Hello, I am going home to Fayette county for my 2 week holiday to visit family. June 18th – July 1st. Any chance they will be done by then? 🙁

I live in connellsville, PA in Fayette county and I was just wondering how much longer do I have to deal with these cicadas cause I truly hate them

Not at all!they have been here awhile and plan to stay awhile longer up to 4 weeks longer being that they are mating & laying eggs.

I live in Parkersburg WV. I will be back from the beach around June 18-19. Will these things be gone by then? My house is swarmed with thousands of these things and I have a legit phobia of them.

A legit phobia? Of something harmless. What part is legit? The fact that your scared of nothing?

i was wondering…i first started hearing the singing on Sunday May 29…how many weeks, until the noise stop, or for that matter, does that mean that all the cicadas have emerged? when will the noise stop, and stop flying around

I live in Muskingum County in the country. The Cicadas is so bad they are every where. And the noise is so loud. Sound like they are singing the song Bad to the Bones😃So I put on my bluetooth headset to drown them out. How much longer will they be around? I would be gladly to give them to anyone who wants to come and gather them all up lol….

We are planning a family vacation to Cedar Point near Sandusky, Ohio. Are there cicadas there? And if so, when should they be gone so I can figure out when to go as I hate those things…they are EVERYWHERE here in Steubenville, Ohio & I won’t even go outside.

I also live in Steubenville, Ohio and am TERRIFIED of ALL bugs. Harmless or not.. I am petrified! Mostly because I was always told stink bugs are harmless, then one day I was “burnt” by their chemical defense what the hell ever and had a rash for weeks. Now, maybe it’s just the way I “personally” was effected by the thing, but still.. That is not HARMLESS. Therefore, I refuse to believe ANY bug is harmless! lol.. Also, I was just saying yesterday morning “Man, people complain about these cicadas, but they haven’t really bothered me.” Well, an hour later, I was driving down Sunset Blvd. with my drivers door wide open, swerving all over because FIVE OF THOSE BASTARDS flew in the window of my car at one. 2 in my shirt, 1 on the dashboard, 1 in my lap and the last just flying around ALL OVER. Almost wrecked my truck. Now, maybe they were not going to harm me directly, but I could have killed myself, and God only knows how many others, had I lost complete control of my vehicle. I will not leave my house before 8pm until they are all gone! Can’t walk out to get my mail without being divebombed.. And if you have EVER experience that, you feel my pain!
#CICADAMANIA

I live in northwest stark county, we have seen a few of the regulars that we see every year but none of the 17 year brood. are they expected in our area?

There should be some in Stark, but it is also near the western limit of the brood, so some locations won’t have them.

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17 years ago they were everywhere here in northern VA. I have not seen nor heard a single one this spring. Did they get rained out??

Have cicadas ever emerged in cape may county in southern New Jersey? Also is there a chance for them to emerge in Charles Town W.V.?

In Cape May some annual species emerge, but no periodical cicadas. Charlestown will get the periodical cicadas in 2021 with Brood X.

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Find the noisiest room fan you can… and keep it turned on, on high. Maybe two!

We are at the height ( I hope) of the cicada invasion in Washington,PA. It was interesting in the beginning but not now. They are making a very loud shrill sound. It actually hurts my ears when outside. They are now flying around constantly. I can’t even run to the mailbox without one or more running into me. They are crawling on everything. The sound definitely varies and shifts. I am ready for them to leave.

I’m from northern West Virginia and was wondering when the cicadas will be dying off? I refuse to go outside because they scare me to death. When can I enjoy outside activities?

Once they emerge how lo g will they be around. They are plentiful in central WV.

They are DEFINITELY out at Findley State Park in Lorain county. One even tried to climb up my leg!

Northern Medina county. Brunswick, strongsville. They are out but not very loud yet. Traveling to Hinckley park in morning.

The Locust are in Randolph County West Virginia too…Lots of them! In the hills Singing…But to me it is hollowing.I will be glad when there gone…I Hate old Bugs…lol Just a Big Noise,I would not care if they never came back!!!!

They’re not Locusts… Locusts are actually grasshoppers that go through a change after a drought and then a rapid vegetation growth.

We are in Washington County, OHIO (Marietta) and they are very thick here and very loud! Unbelievable.

We live in Shiloh , Ohio and we have them by the 1000’s here and it looks like we have blue eyed and red eyed ones. There are so many that if u are driving down a road with woods on both sides it looks like a cloud of them as u are driving. Plus they land all over your car or splat on your windshield. My children love them (they are 9 year old twins) as they’ve never seen them before. Our ducks and chickens haven’t ate feed in 2 weeks because they have been feasting all day on them. Wish they lasted longer the noise doesn’t bother us.

I LIVE IN OHIO AND THE 17 YEAR CICADAS HAVE EMERGED. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A LOT OF HUMMINGBIRDS, BUT IT SEEMS THEY HAVE DISAPPEARED. DO THE CICADAS HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE HUMMINGBIRDS?

I think they do. We have the same situatio. Had 8 to 10 hummingbirds before the cicadas. Now just 1 occasionally.

Our hummingbirds have disappeared also! Now that I think about it I haven’t seen them since the emergence. We live in the country and usually have 10 to 12 all the time.

I noticed my hummingbirds seemed to have disappeared as well!

On the positive side – I’ve been able to sit outside in the evenings because the pesky mosquitos have disappeared! Do the cicadas eat them???

We have the brood V cicadas in great numbers in the surrounding woods and our yard. It is very loud when sunny and warm. We are very interested in the sounds the cicadas make. We have heard the chorus and the distress (usually when we pass too close to the trees they are in) but there is another sound they make that sounds like a whimpering puppy. We actually thought it was a whimpering puppy when the chorus was so loud you could only hear it once in a while, but on our walks we heard it in different places, different days. We finally figured out, as the sound became more frequent and louder that we were hearing it in places there were more than one cicada present. Is there a special sound they make when they are actually mating?

We have slews of brood V surrounding us here. Very loud when sunny and warm. I am curious about the different sounds they make. We have heard the chorus, and the distress sound but there is a sound they make that sounds like a whimpering puppy…it is very strange. At first we thought it was a puppy somewhere. Then it became more and more frequent and widespread and we realized as we were passing our apple trees and such that the sound was actually coming from the cicadas when there was more than one present. Is there a special sound they make when they are actually mating?

They’re pretty silent when they’re mating. Prior to that, the males perform their court songs (see the Audio tab in the navigation) and the females flick there wings.

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My cat brought a live one in last night. I saved him and got him back outside. Austintown, Ohio.

Meigs county, Ohio. They start here as soon as it gets daylight & lasts till dark.In the morning they are sort of at a distance but by noon until evening they are right on top of us. The sound is deafening & sometimes downright painful !!! Luckily they have already been here for 3-4 weeks witch should put us at or over the half way mark but there will still be some linger longers . Buy some earplugs. LOL.

We are over run with brood 5 cicadas. They are eveywhere. It sounds like we are under alien attack. Bentleyville, PA.

We have had them at Kokosing Campground in Knox couny…. Close to St Rt 13 Fredericktown Ohio for about a week. There are lots of them
And we are enjoying watching them emerge. My 86 yo mother has really kept a close watch on them. They are magical

Southern Lorain County Ohio. We have tens of thousands emerging for the last 3 nights. Frogs are getting fatter every night also.

Thanks for the info. I traveled from SE Michigan to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, tenting in Summit County over the Memorial Day weekend. Didn’t know *what* these things were at first. For whatever reason, the nymphs really loved climbing up the skin of my tent and left their old exoskeletons behind, attached to the fabric. I thought I thoroughly cleaned them off before striking the tent but when I went to air it out at home the next day, found two live ones. Kind of a *yech* but also kind of interesting…

Cicada invasion right now in Avella Washington County. Masses of them humming along my tree line in the woods. Flying everywhere and bouncing themselves off of my windows. What an event here!!

Sure are LOUD this year-especially when the cats are playing with them! How much longer for West Virginia???

Tons and Tons in Licking County. Granville specifically. My dogs are eating them!

They are everywhere in Seneca Lake Ohio. Big red eyes, making a racket , exoskeletons stuck to everything, the holes is the dirt are countless. We were fishing and wondered if their emergence affected our fishing… I think it did!

Yesterday was the first day of full emergence of Brood V here in Athens County. Yesterday afternoon they were singing up a storm and when they are quiet, you can still hear the sound of their wings. It sort of sounds like an alien spaceship landing. I have lived through two previous cicada summers, and though interesting, I am not looking forward to it.

Is it unusual for three distinct species to emerge together on the same 17-year cycle? Why? What’s the selective advantage to emerge together? Does this happen elsewhere in the world?

It is totally unique to these cicadas.

Why three species? No one is certain. Each species favors a slightly different habitat, and some broods & geographic areas completely lack one or more of the species.

The advantage to emerge together is predator satiation which is the idea that a large percentage of these cicadas are purposely eaten, as a distraction, so a percentage of them will always survive to breed. https://www.cicadamania.com/cicadas/what-is-predator-satiation/

If this does happen elsewhere in the world, I have not heard about it.

Further reading:
Read “The Evolutionary Relationships of 17-Year and 13-Year Cicadas, and Three New Species” by Alexander and Moore. 1962.

The Periodical Cicada Problem. II. Evolution. by Monte Lloyd & Henry Dybas. 1966

Independent divergence of 13- and 17-y life cycles among three periodical cicada lineages by Teiji Sotaa, Satoshi Yamamoto, John R. Cooley, Kathy B. R. Hill, Chris Simon, and Jin Yoshimura. 2013.

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I dont see why people are complaining they come every 17 years i see this as a great time for fishing they are good bait too use wheeling wv

I deliver mail in belle Vernon pa westmoreland county and this emergence is larger than the one I remember when I was a kid. In some areas they cost entire mailboxes and trees, swarm into the truck, and coat the ground and houses in their sheds and deceased adults. The craziest part is the noise. It’s extremely loud and echoing non stop every hour I’m out on the job every day since they popped up a few days ago. I hope to get some photos and record their song before they go.

They are everywhere in Donora PA ! On my porch and on the walkways and the trees and all over the garage for the last few days !!!!!!

Don’t laugh but i have a cicada phobia…I am terrified of these things…please tell me they aren’t coming to Amherst, Ohio in Lorain County….

When are they you going to stop emerging? They started one week ago today in my yard. I just want to stop finding so many new ones every single morning!

Should be soon enough.

A multi-day emergence is typical.

The first day (wave) is has a high percentage of males, and a high percentage of them get taken out, eaten by predators.

The next few days there’s more of a balance of male and female and those usually suffer high casualties, but a higher percentage of them go on to mate.

Also, the different species tend to not emerge at the same time. Magicicada septendecim (the larger of the three species) tends to emerge before Magicicada cassini and septendecula.

It’s kind of like a team sport or war where you big the big hulking dudes out first — they take the hit — and the rest of the team scores.

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I live in Uniontown PA they are everywhere by my house when will they leave started last weekend

Hudson, Ohio. Summit County. There are thousands of them in my yard. On trees, mailboxes, and now they are flying around. How long do they last. Is the entire summer ruined? I know it is nature, but we only get three nice days a year in Ohio, I would like to enjoy them!

Lots of sightings in our yard in Cross Lanes, WV. And we hear the mysterious humming noise throughout the day but it seems to be coming from a wooded area a quarter mile away. Question? How far down in the ground do these creatures dwell before they surface?

According to the paper “THE ECOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION OF PERIODICAL CICADAS” by Kathy S. Williams and Chris Simon, cicadas feed on roots as deep as 2 feet or more!

The Hum sound you hear is the combined chorus of the Magicicada septendecim species.

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Located in Washington County, PA. He’s d the swarming from a distance this morning and now just 6 hours later they are much closer! They are here now!

I live in the Portales Lakes Area, considered Summit County. Are they expected here?

Will a brood be seen anytime soon in Southern Maryland? Or any big swarms in store for us later?

They are coming on like gangbusters in Wirt, County, WV, a small county south-east of Wood. I believe it is they who have decimated my soft herbs like parsley and Basil.

They don’t actually chew plant leaves, so it probably wasn’t them. It might have been the squirrels that came to eat the cicadas. Top off the “land shrimp” with a tasty salad.

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I have a little over 1000 so far in Rostraver/West Newton PA. This is now night 2 of emerging, so expect many many more.

I live in Elizabeth Township, Pa, and they are climbing up the walls of my house outside on the south side. They’re everywhere. Gross.

I am in ruffs Dale and they are everywhere here. I get hit just walking in my yard.

We have had these for about two weeks in Elizabeth (Wirt County) WV but many more noticed in past few days. They are loudest in the late afternoon. Interesting observation-they very much enjoy being on our peach trees but not our apple trees.

I am petrified of bugs period. I know they are coming to parts of Maryland but does anyone know if the Laurel area will be hit. Just want to prepare myself.

Yes I know exactly how you feel I have a severe Bee phobia
I moved to Charleston West Virginia almost 5 years now from Brooklyn New York and was mortified at the amount of species of Bees here the Cecada don’t bother me as much because they don’t sting but everything else does

They started emerging in Fairchance, PA on May 21. They started “singing” here just today. We have thousands of them, just in my yard alone! I wouldn’t mind it so much if they would stay up in the trees… but they are covering the ground!

Hoping to avoid these creepy things, as I enjoy trail riding my horse. I don’t think the horses will enjoy them either. Can I assume from the map of Ohio the areas around Toledo and specifically Swanton Ohio should be free from this?

Does the state Missouri get cicadas.thinking of going there to avoid them they are coming up every where in Ellsworth PA. How long before they start flying

Getting plenty of noise in Kanawha County (Charleston), WV, for some days now.

Parkersburg, WV. The Cicadas have been appearing for about two weeks. Today, May 26th, an early morning rain shower a bike ride through City Park found the park alive with the sound of the Cicadas.

We have some in Grindstone, Pa. near Uniontown. I will probably be hibernating in the house as much as I can. Didn’t start to make noise yet but they will. I am terrified of them. Do you know if West Newton (Westmoreland County will get them)?

They are here in WN! One night netted me over a thousand under the trees in my backyard.

Do you know if there is an emergence on the border of Washington and Westmoreland Counties PA, particularly in the horseshoe along the Monongahela river. Monongahela/Donora?

@Gina, yes they’ll be in Westmoreland and Washington counties. Not everywhere, but definitely in the Monongahela River area.

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They are all over my front step and pathway as of yesterday. Not making any noise yet and the birds are having a great time! I live south of Cleveland in Summit County, Ohio.

Yuck. We have tens or maybe even hundreds of thousands of them in every stage on our five acres in Lost Creek, just south of Clarksburg WV. They are on every blade of grass, covering every tree trunk fro top to bottom, clinging to every vertical surface, flying everywhere, landing on people. Robins are feasting on them. I hear they are edible for humans. Has anyone tried them?

Yes, I have ate them since a kid. You have to be careful as they are in the ground for 17 years; so chemicals etc; possibly could be picked up within them. I have always boiled them for at least 10 minutes with garlic, onions, oregano. Then drain all the fluids, and boil again for five minutes; drain and then fry in extra virgin olive oil and fresh garlic. They are delicious hot you do not have to remove the legs or anything. They taste firm, but still a very good texture, and have a light chicken or real light fish texture and taste. Ideal for spaghetti, or even with salsa on chips. I have only ever ate the white ones, never the dark ones; and just as they are emerging from there shell.

My yard, house, and flower beds are polluted with them and their shed skins. While mowing my lawn, today, I noticed quite a few with no legs, or wings. I am assuming the birds have had a hand in this. I’m interested in knowing if the birds only eat these choice parts, or what has happened to them? I hate the ugly buggers.

Woke up this morning with the rare visitors on my porch in Coal Center Pa, Washington County. Hope they aren’t as terrible as they were in 1999. I can remember them being all over the place can deal with the noise but them being on the cars and houses was bad. Don’t like bugs! I let them do what they got to do as long as they leave me alone. They are better then all these damn stink bugs we been dealing with for years at least the cicada leaves in 4 to 6 weeks.

Hi Dan,
Any emergence expected in Plum Boro, allegheny county? No sign of them as of yet. Trying to decide if I need to cover my small fruin trees.
Thank you!

They have been in Athens, the city, (OH) now for about a week and a half to two. Numerously. I don’t like them but I don’t disturb them. It is sad to see the injured ones. I think that birds and other predators are going after them. I have 5 or 4 more weeks of this? Yikes!

Small number at top of the hill behind us began to sing this morning at intersection of 6/1 and 6/7 Buckhannon, WV. Not looking forward to the huge group below us adding to the song and certainly not for three to four weeks!!

Any for Lorain, OH? Or not this far up north? I do not care for these bugs!

Just starting to emerge in the lower elevations of Garrett County. Watched some climbing trees today.

Hi – may we expect to see them in Lake County, Ohio (one county east of Cleveland)?

They are here in Belle Vernon pa.. to bad for me. My backyard is filled with them. I am freaking out… may 24th 2016

How long will this last? I won’t kill them and enjoy their music but am so afraid of them landing on me lol. Please tell me it won’t be all summer.

I am planning a camping trip Memorial Day weekend in Tuscarawas and Carroll Counties in Ohio. Should I expect to see a lot of cicadas there? Hope not.

Jefferson County is polluted right now. I live in northern Jefferson county, not far from Carroll county and at night all you can hear is them crawling. It’s an eerie sound.

No Cicada’s are expected for Loveland, Ohio right? Everyone keeps saying they are, but I have not seen them.

Did you mean Cincinnati? Because now I’m curious if I will see them in Lake County, Ohio.

I live in Concord-Lake County Ohio. They are all over my front yard. Hundreds of them! But it appears I’m the only house on my street affected!

They are emerging just tonight after the rain… North Eastern Washington County, PA.

We spotted hundreds on a walk thru Mingo Creek Park, Washington County, PA. More than enough to keep us out of the park for awhile! LOL

Why aren’t they making noise? Used to live in VA and it was deafening. Now in Jefferson County OH we are seeing them everywhere but they aren’t making a peep!

Mary,

It takes about 2 to 7 days for there bodies to completely harden. They also need the temperature to be around 72F before they’re warm enough for chorusing and mating activities.

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Hi Dan….great website. I’m wondering if Warren County, VA will see any Brood V? Thanks!

Why are so many cicada’s coming up deformed? They also look much smaller than in 1999…I live in Athens, Ohio. I saw my first one 3 weeks ago and didn’t see another until last week…now they are coming out in full force.

@Kelly,

Usually there are a lot of casualties at the start of an emergence due to too many cicadas emerging at once, plus weather and lack of a good surface to hang from when they molt.

Dan

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They are just emerging here in Uniontown, Pa, at the foot of the Laurel Mts. I’m glad I have a new garden hat!

I live in Medina Ohio. They are starting to emerge here. We have hundreds of them in our mound along Route 18. Maybe 20 percent came out already. Never seen such a thing. It’s fascinating and gross at the same time.

I’m from Morgantown and terrified of any bugs! Wish I wasn’t. I’m terrified of getting out of the garage and finding hundreds of them on my car! I’m terrified that one will crawl inside of my shirt and as I’m driving I discover it and end up… Well u can imagine where this is going. Seriously, someone, ease my mind! I just wanna take time off of work n hibernate inside my house! Ugh! Hate feeling this way! 😪😪😪

I live in north central Ohio I have tons of holes in my yard. Going to be in the upper 70’s at the end of the week can’t wait to see them.

Awesome, this will be the second time I’ve seen them. I was really worried I’d have to wait another 17 years lol

In my part of West Virginia it got a little warm and we spotted so cicadas, so pretty, but then the next day it got really cold. What is going to happen to the Cicadas still under ground? Will they still emerge later when it warms up again? Or are they still coming up and freezing their little wings off?

@Fae, the ones that have yet to emerge will retreat down their holes, perhaps sealing them up, and will wait for the weather to warm again.

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Are these insect known to be in Florida I live in Tampa and have been seeing holes all over my yard

They are emerging at Big Chimney, WV, which is near Charleston. Saw a blue bunting this morning with one in its mouth, my dog is snacking on them, and the wild turkey are crisscrossing the yard several times a day to feed on them.

I live in Mason County West Virginia, and the Cicadas are here starting to emerge full force. Does anyone know how long they will be around? Thank you!

They have not yet come out in Southeast Ohio yet, Athens or Hocking Counties. The weather has been very cool.

I live in Bomont, WV in Clay County,WV the Cicadas really started to emerge about 3 days ago, but haven’t started screeching yet. My dog has been eating them like they where treats.

Wicomico county, MD. I started my own little garden this year while digging found many larvaes in the ground. And today on May 12 I went to check on my plants and noticed a whole bunch of holes in the ground. I’m not sure if these are the ones you are talking about but larvae looked very similar, I did not see any live ones yet.

1000s of holes in east central Ohio last week, haven’t seen any nymphs. Just holes everywhere

Extensive amount of holes in my back yard. Squirrels, skunks having a feeding orgy. While cleaning up leaves, branches, winter debris I saw several live locusts emerging from the ground.

They’re not Locusts… Locusts are actually grasshoppers that go through a change after a drought and then a rapid vegetation growth.

I live in the Laurel Highlands of PA… right on the county lines of Somerset, Westmoreland and Fayette. About 2 weeks ago we spotted several holes in the ground and after some research, we believed them to be the cicada emergence. Then, I spotted many nymphs… so I have to say it has begun in the Laurel Highlands!!

Hi Dan: Thank you for your information. Can you tell me where and when (what time of a day) in Ohio the periodical Cicadas are going to emerge this coming weekend (May 14)? I live in Michigan and I want to travel to Ohio to see them.
Thank you!

I’ve seen 2 live ones this week and several shells.
My yard is littered with small perfectly round holes.
We are located in Bassett Virginia

I live in Staten Island NY and I have 100’s of holes in my backyard. How can they say not in new York when I have all the holes?

Who says not in New York? They probably mean “not in New York City”. Long Island will definitely have an emergence, and specifically in Suffolk county.

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would someone please let me know when Cicadas emerge at Findley State Park in Ohio? I would like to go there to see the weekend of May 14 and not sure if that is a good time.

Thanks in advance

@doug there might be a chance of some in Findley on Thursday as the temps approach 80, but then the weather is going to be cold for some time. Perhaps the last week of May or first week of June.

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Morgantown, WV. Spotted thousands of holes under leaves and brush. Found a few nymphs.

I was highly surprised that We have not seen but one Nymph this spring under ground. We have been digging a pad for our swimming pool and digging and transplanting plants still… Nothing…. 🙁

We were raking up leaves at our 4-H camp in Marion County, WV, and noticed about a hundred or so holes in the ground under the leaves. Also spotted one nymph. I took a picture, but not sure how to post it on here with my phone.

I love the sound of the cicadas. It would not feel like summer without them. One thing I don’t like is the huge bee the Cicada killer that preys on them. They make thier homes in the ground. If you see a mound of dirt and a hole in your less grassy area it is probably the Cicada killer bee.

And then go every year to a Cicada Emergence and gather up a thousand Cicadas and drive across country and dump them in the same woods! Eventually you could have Cicadas Emerging every year in that woods! Heavenly Bliss On A Cloud With Sugar And A Cherry On Top! With Sprinkles! Yes, I really like Cicadas! 8)

If someone went to a Cicada emergence site and gathered up a thousand of them and then drove across country and released them in a woods then could they start a new area with the brood emergence? I really like Cicadas for unknown reasons but don’t want to wait 13 or 17 years (!!!) for them in my area. Can I start a new population in my area?????

Probably not. If they were moved to an area where the trees were not conducive to feeding and egg laying, it wouldn’t work. They also have a high percentage of mortality, so you would likely need to move a million of them. Then, because of the level of mortality, they might not make it another generation.

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Hi again my bro lives in Annandale va and wants to know if there will be cicadas in that area.

Hi am woundering i live in glen burnie md i am not a fan of this creatures and like to no if there going to emerge. Near me and also wwhatparts of va ? Thank. U

@Amanda, no 17 year cicadas for Glen Burnie, MD too. They’ll only be all the way over on the west side of the state.

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I used to live on the East Coast and remember the sound and sights well,I now live in Michigan,does Michigan ever get Cicadas?

My daughter has an outdoor wedding in mid-July – Hilliard, Ohio (suburb of Columbus). Are we safe? What is the cicada forecast for Columbus?

@Leah, records suggest that Brood V appears in Franklin County, although it is in western most side of the Brood. If you know where the wedding will be held, you could check the grounds for signs of cicadas, like holes and cicadas under stones.

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Good morning I live in Halethorpe Md will we get them here by your post it looks like garret county???

I graduated in 1970, the 17 year locusts scared the living daylights out of me and about 300 other teenage girls on graduation day. The 17 year should not be here in Baltimore again until 2021, so is the expected brood of 2016 going to appear in Baltimore in May/June? I just want to have my badminton racket ready to get to and from the car. Absolutely am still scared to death of those things!!!

They’re not Locusts… Locusts are actually grasshoppers that go through a change after a drought and then a rapid vegetation growth.

As a child and until my early twenties, my greatest fear was UFOs. I had nightmares often of being in the cornfield near my house, hearing and watching spaceships land around me. In 1982 the 17 year cicadas emerged. Their droning chorus was the sound from my dreams! For the first time I realized why I had been plagued by that haunting drone in my dreams. Once I understood it, I was no longer afraid. Seventeen years of nightmares ended, never to return…unlike the cicadas!

Could this be 1 of the reasons my yard is full of mole holes, and my neighbor’s cat happily brings at least 1 or 2 dead moles (or voles) to my front porch every day for the last week or so? Are they eating the nymphs?

Does altitude affect the cicada emergence — e.g., are they generally only found below a certain altitude? This will be my first emergence in WV, and I’m wondering what to expect (hoping to see some!).

I live in Annapolis Md (between Wash DC and Balt Md) can you please confirm that the cicadas will not emerge this year but will emerge in 2021? Thank you!!

I love in rural western central PA zip code surrounded by mature forests. Do I need to worry about cicadas causing damage to my hydrangeas, rose trees, rose bushes, lilac bushes, day lilies, baby’s breath and hosta? Your help is appreciated!

@Leah, typically no. As long as there are trees nearby to lay their eggs in they should not damage smaller plans. Of course lilacs are pretty much trees, so you can net them or hose the cicadas off when they arrive. Netting fragile trees does the trick.

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I live in Mineral County, WV. They have never really bothered me; in fact, they are great fish bait, especially the bass love them!

I live in Scranton, PA. Lackawanna county to be exact. Do you guys know if this area will be invaded? Sorry if I seem really paranoid. I have a phobia of insects especially insects like cicadas!!!

I well remember an emergence in the Baltimore area in the late 1960s, or perhaps in 1970. I was a small child (born in 1966). It was big news, and our garden was brimming with the gentle, red-eyed creatures for a couple of weeks. The trees were full of their song. I came to love them then, and still do. Can anyone tell me which brood emerges near Baltimore, and which year they hatched in the late 1960s?

17-yr cicadas sometimes emerge four years late as well. So periodical cicadas in Cincinnati in 2012 could have been four years late from Brood XIV, if they were within the usual range of that brood.

Will they be in Licking County in Ohio? We seem to be on the edge of the forecasted area. Thanks.

There are records from the past (1800s/early 1900s) of periodical cicadas in Licking Co, but nothing recently. Of course that doesn’t mean that they’ve gone extinct in those areas — they still might be here and there, so keep an eye and ear out for them.

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Thank you so much for your reply. I grown up in China and I use to eat them when I was little. As a bio-science buff this is a must see. To take leave I need to hand in paperwork 2 weeks in advance to be approved by my sergeant. I think I will shoot for late May for now.

Frontier airlines has cheap flights from Denver to Cincinnati. Is there any state park or places I should go? Maybe I can find some free accommodations on coach surfing if I plan in advance enough. Again, thank you very much for your help.

@Li Li, I’m hesitant to say when you should book your flight because the weather can be so unpredictable. I’m leaning towards June. Now that said, there are 36 species of annual cicadas in Colorado https://www.cicadamania.com/genera/usa.php?qs=CO&category=A&q=#speciesresults you just have to look and listen a little harder to find them. Putnam’s cicada will be out in May or June https://www.cicadamania.com/genera/species.php?q=P.+putnami+putnami

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I am in Colorado. I really want to witness it this year. When should I book my flight? May 7th and 8th?

@Li Li, it is tough to say — it all depends on the Weather. The cicadas will emerge approximately when the soil 8″ beneath the ground reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit (see https://www.cicadamania.com/cicadas/64-5-degrees-fahrenheit/). For that to happen the air temperature needs to get into the high 70s, but not too cold at night. I’m guessing the 2nd week of May. They will emerge in the southern parts of Ohio/North WV before northern Ohio. It is cool to watch then emerge, but the really fun part is watching them fly around and scream, which will probably be last week of May/first week of June. But again, it all depends on the cooperation of the weather.

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I’m 68 and live in the Cleveland area near Lake Erie and we have cicadas EVERY year. I guess these are the annual type. They don’t sound like the three types I’ve heard online. They just have a rising volume buzz that then the volume goes down. They and their kin do this all day long. The number varies, but not a lot. I’ve never seen huge swarms of them. They are pretty constant. Not a novelty around here. Maybe this year we’ll have the different types.

They leave a 1/2″ hole in the ground and you can usually find them or their empty husk on a nearby tree or post.

I hated their sound when I was little and so did my kids, since it meant a good chunk of summer vacation was gone.

Hey does anyone in the Kentucky area remember eating these little guys?
They taste good with Hershey’s syrup! There will be plenty ripe for the picking
#happyeating

Live in Solon, Ohio in Metro Park area. They are all over our home exterior in morning. Nightmare.

Please add southern Allegheny County in PA. The South Hills of Pittsburgh in southern Allegheny County should be included. The city of Pittsburgh along the rivers seems to be the cutoff line for this particular brood. Thank you.

Dan: I wanted to ask some clarification on this brood versus brood X for my area, which is central Maryland. You addressed Washington County, MD earlier, and stated that the next big brood would be 2021, brood X. But, I remember our last big brood was earlier than 2004. Given some benchmark events in my life in the early 2000s, I know it was around 1999 that I was living in Montgomery County, MD (lived there until early 2003) when we had a very significant hatch. Between MontCo and FredCo, the hum in the air was unmistakable for weeks, and leaving your car window open wasn’t even an option! According to memory, this year’s brood should be that same brood, but I’m reading that this one is much farther west.

@Lisa

Was it 2000? That would make sense. 17 year cicadas can straggle, meaning emerge early or later than planned. Usually they emerge 4 years early which would work for Brood X, since that emerged in 2004 (stragglers would emerge in 2000).

Dan

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I’ve noticed a large number of what appear to be cicada holes in bare spots of my backyard in central Virginia (Prince George County). In my brief search, I don’t see any data indicating that they will emerge here in 2016, but the holes in my yard beg to differ. Is there any data that matches what I’m seeing here?

Chip: I live in Monongolia County in West Virginia, and I’ve also lived in Nicholas County, WV.

We see what appears to be considerable activity close the surface in Palmyra, PA 17078.

I really hope we actually get these again this year.I’m mostly looking forward to how my cats will react xD. I was 10 when they last emerged in 1999, I remember they were everywhere, but what I remember the most was how much fun our little dog had chasing and eating these little critters.

It’d be a nice change of pace in an otherwise boring wood county, Wv.

“How long will they last,” you ask? Either six weeks from emergence, or until you go crazy! LOL!

Iam in Harrison County Ohio..I can hear two different groups. One is a continuous song. The other is a rymthic loud then lower. I dont remember this from the last time they emerged.

The steady hum (aka the alien sounding one) is probably Magicicada septemdecim. Magicicada cassini chorus rises and falls and can actually sound like a hiss when they really get going. Hope that helps.

I just found your web site and find it very interesting! When I was 2 (1957) I was visiting my grandmother in Wayne Co, WV and it was “locust” season. One of the ugly critters landed on me and scared me spitless-I have hated bugs (any) since then. I now live in the house my grandmother had, so I looked up when they should emerge-brood 14 in 2025! Well last year, I noticed a (what I felt) were a large number of the critters that emerged. I had the exoskeletons of several hundred on my fruit tree trunks. I know they have some that appear yearly-we always called those jar flies-usually a dark green with yellow or orange eyes–the few I actually saw last year were black and orange with red eyes. Just thought you might like to know about this.I still hate bugs, but have become a bit more tolerant-when they decide to emerge enmass-I will vacation else where! I want to attempt beekeeping-so I try not to use bug sprays. I didn’t know if there was anybody to contact for them to maybe come out and look at the bugs when they were out. I also had the pleasure? of seeing my first Cicada wasp last summer-wow what a bug!

People in washington county md (near hagerstown)keep posting on facebook that they are supposed to emerge this year here. But from what I have seen the next big group is not till 2021. Am I correct???

Although I don’t freak out when these little guys visit. I was hoping they wouldn’t come to Northern Kentucky this Spring. My daughter is having an outdoor wedding in early May. From what I read we are safe this year!! Thanks for the information!!

i remember these guys in 1999. they were everywhere in the millions … strangest critters ever.

In Ohio, Cyuahoga County, I first saw them at the age of 13 (1965), 30 (1982), 47 (1999) and now 64 Spring of 2016. Author is correct

For all the Ohio/Cincinnati people:

For the purposes of this comment Cincinnati = everything inside the 275 highway loop.

Brood X last appeared in the Cincinnati area in 2004 and will appear there next in 2021
https://cicadas.uconn.edu/brood_10/

Brood XIV last appeared in the Cincinnati area in 2008 and will appear there next in 2025
https://cicadas.uconn.edu/brood_14/

Brood X and XIV overlap geographically in some areas, but not all, so if you saw Brood X in 2004, but didn’t see Brood XIV in 2008, it just means Brood XIV did not appear in your neighborhood — it does not mean it didn’t happen. Brood XIV was particularly bountiful in Mariemont https://www.cicadamania.com/cicadas/magicicada-emergence-in-mariemont-ohio-in-2008/

Brood XXII (13 year brood) is just west of Cincinnati. It last appeared in 2014 and will appear again in 2027. I mapped it. I know it exists
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=z-vPhKDPMYPk.kY8KzQRrJfrM

Brood V and VIII are in the East of Ohio.

Here’s the basic info all the broods: https://www.cicadamania.com/where.html#broodchart

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The last 17 year brood in Cincinnati, Ohio was in 2004. As far as I know that counted for a good chunk of Ohio The next 17 year brood will not happen until 2021. Please fact check before posting on a site.

I don’t remember see any in Cincinnati, Hamilton county area in 1999.. I remember them being here 1987 17 years later in 2004 so 17 years from 2004 will be 2021. So this is false!!!

Hamilton has Brood X and XIV for certain.

The Magicicada database has Hamilton for brood V stragglers in 2012:

1 unknown species V (5) 17 2012 Straggler record OH Hamilton
2 unknown species V (5) 17 2012 Straggler record OH Hamilton
3 unknown species V (5) 17 2012 Straggler record OH Hamilton
4 unknown species V (5) 17 2012 Straggler record OH Hamilton

17 year cicada stragglers usually emerge 4 years early, so a 2012+4 = 2016, and 2016 is presumed to be Brood V. But Hamilton Co. is out of way range for Brood V, as you suggest.

So, these records in the database could have been a 4 year deceleration of Brood XIV, emerging in 21 years instead of 17 (not unheard of). It is too far off to be a Brood X straggler.

I have to check with Gene Kritsky — there might be a pocket of Brood V in Cinci. But I am thinking you are right and the location database is wrong.

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I don’t believe Hamilton county should be on the Ohio list of counties. Please remove it, please!!! I can’t tolerate another brood; broods 10 and 14 here in Cincinnati are quite enough!

I remember them being in Cincinnati in 1987 and 2004. They should not be here in Ohio until 2017.

The 1987/2004 brood was Brood X.

Ohio has 5 broods. Brood V in the east, Brood VIII in the east, Brood X in the west (including Cincinnati), Brood XIV in the south west, and Brood XXII in the south west (west of Cincinnati).

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They are definitely in Huron, OH. We have a Lakehouse up there and the cicadas have been thick for 2 weeks already!

Great website. Please edit the West Virginia Counties as there are some mistakes. Remove Mongolia and Nichols – these are not counties in WV. Add Ohio County.
Thanks!

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