They're Back! Periodical Cicadas Expected to Reemerge This SpringNPMA Staff
Monday, April 8, 2013
Mid-Atlantic Region braces for swarms of Brood II cicadas
A swarm of pests known for their loud buzzing noise is expected
to reappear in the Mid-Atlantic region this spring after spending
17-years underground. According to the National Pest
Management Association (NPMA), periodical cicadas — large
insects that are often confused with locusts — will soon resurface
en masse and remain above ground for about a month to reproduce.
Their offspring will not be seen above ground again until 2030.
cicadas emerge from underground in 13- or 17-year cycles when
the temperature eight inches below the surface reaches 64 degrees
Fahrenheit. This year’s group, known as the Brood II cicadas, last
emerged in 1996 and is expected to cause a ruckus from the
Carolinas to Connecticut once the weather warms.
"Although cicadas may be intimidating with their large size and
striking red eyes, the good news is they do not pose any health
threats to humans," says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public
affairs for the NPMA. “The bad news is these pests can appear in
the hundreds of thousands per acre and quickly become a
Each female cicada can lay between 400 and 600 eggs, meaning
populations can be enormous. Areas heavily dense with mature trees
should expect to see the most cicadas.
“Cicadas are most active during the day when the temperature is
at its warmest, so the best advice for avoiding them is to stay
indoors during peak hours,” added Henriksen.
Another brood of 17-year cicadas, Brood III, is expected to
emerge in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri in 2014.
For more information on periodical cicadas, visit www.pestworld.org.
The NPMA, a non-profit organization
with more than 7,000 members, was established in 1933 to support
the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of
public health, food and property.