Billions of cicadas, emerging every 17 years, will fill Massachusetts air with a 90-decibel buzz, marking their first appearance since 2008. 🌐 #News #BostonMA #Massachusetts #Science
BOSTON, MA — In Boston, Massachusetts, and across multiple states, a natural spectacle is set to unfold this spring as billions of cicadas from Brood XIV emerge from the ground. These insects, part of a 17-year cycle, last surfaced in 2008, when George W. Bush was nearing the end of his presidency and Apple was preparing to launch the App Store. Now, they’re back, ready to fill the air with their unmistakable buzzing.
A 17-Year Wait Underground
Brood XIV cicadas, including the species Magicicada septendecim, Magicicada cassini, and Magicicada septendecula, spend 17 years as nymphs beneath the soil, feeding on grass and tree roots. Their emergence is triggered when soil temperatures reach 64 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, typically after spring rains soak the ground. In northern Georgia, the first cicadas are expected to appear around the third week of April, with a gradual spread northward.
The emergence sequence, based on last year’s patterns, follows a clear timeline:
- Tennessee: Fourth week of April
- Kentucky: First week of May
- Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania: Second week of May
- Massachusetts: Late May
Once the process begins in an area, it takes two weeks for all cicadas to emerge fully.
A Deafening Courtship Ritual
After surfacing, cicadas climb into trees, where they’ll live for six weeks. About five days after emerging, male cicadas begin their buzzing, a courtship ritual to attract females. The sound intensifies over two weeks as more cicadas join in, reaching up to 90 decibels on average—louder than planes landing at Dulles airport. In some cases, the buzz has hit 102 decibels, creating a striking auditory experience. The noise peaks before fading about five weeks after the initial emergence, as adult cicadas begin to die.
From Eggs to the Next Cycle
After mating, female cicadas lay eggs in trees. Once the eggs hatch, nymphs drop to the ground, burrow into the soil, and begin their 17-year subterranean phase, feeding off roots until the cycle repeats. This process ensures the return of Brood XIV in 2042.
Expert Insights
Gene Kritsky, Professor Emeritus of Biology at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, has studied cicadas extensively. His work provides valuable context for understanding Brood XIV’s patterns and behaviors, offering resources for those eager to track this spring’s emergence.
A Regional Phenomenon
Scattered across the South and Northeast, Brood XIV’s emergence will affect a wide swath of the United States. For Massachusetts residents, the late-May arrival promises a memorable, if noisy, few weeks. As the cicadas take to the trees, their brief above-ground life will leave a lasting impression until their next appearance in 17 years…