June 03,2021

Andrew Campbell 

Brood X, the largest brood of periodical cicadas, has begun to emerge across 15 states in the US from New York to Illinois, and as south as Georgia. According to the University of Connecticut's cicadas website, there are twelve active broods of 17-year periodical cicadas and three active broods of 13-year cicadas.

They have not hibernated in the last 17 years. The nymphs, on the other hand, were alive and well. They were reported to be digging tunnels and sucking sap from tree roots.

Cicadas from various species congregate in groups known as Broods. Brood X is the largest and encompasses the most of states in the US. Other areas will have to wait another four years for Brood XIV. Only a few locations do not experience mass emergence but do have some yearly cicadas in smaller numbers.

According to University of Maryland entomology professor Daniel Gruner, only male cicadas can create the vibrating noises. He described the tymbal organs as a pair of drums that stretched over the thorax-abdomen region on either side. Professor Gruner estimates that they will live for at least 1-2 weeks while achieving the goal of cicada chorusing, which is to find a mate.

Photo:webshot.