Southern Culture On The Skids released a cicada-themed song for 2020: Cicada Rock 2020 (Brood IX). Enjoy!
Author: Dan
Here’s a Tibicina haematodes (Scopoli 1763) stamp from France:
Bladder cicada trading card
Bladder cicada trading card. Bladder cicadas (Cystosoma saundersii) are found in Australia. Link to Dr. Popple’s website for more info.
Many periodical cicadas emerged four years early in the Chicago area in 2020. These cicadas belong to the Brood XIII (13) which is set to emerge in 2024, and last emerged in 2007. Periodical cicadas often emerge in years proceeding or following the year their brood is expected to emerge. This phenomenon is called straggling. Most of the time these “stragglers” emerge in small numbers and are quickly eaten by predators, and do not go on to sing, chorus (synchronized singing for the purpose of attracting females), mate, and lay eggs. Sometimes they emerge in numbers large enough to survive, chorus, and reproduce — this seems to have happened in the Chicago area in 2020. It is thought this is how new broods formed over the millennia — cicadas emerge 4 or 1 year early in significant numbers and form a new brood. When enough stragglers emerge to successfully reproduce it is called an acceleration.
So, is a new brood forming around Chicago? Is this due to climate change or localized “heat islands”? Will the progeny of these stragglers emerge in 13, 17 or 21 years? Lots of questions — but we’ll need to wait quite some time to answer them.
There is a precedence for Brood XIII cicadas straggling in the Chicago area:
In 1969 massive numbers of periodical cicadas emerged in the Chicago suburbs 1 (Williams, K.S. & Simon, C. 1995).
In 1986, another 4-year acceleration was observed in the Chicago area by Monte Lloyd 1.
In 2003, many people left observations on our forums. Observations were made in Glenview, Flossmoor, Riverside, Downers Grove, Homewood, Westmont, Oak Park, and Hinsdale. Here are some examples:
Magicicada emerging this evening
Date: Wednesday, Jun/4/2003
As I went for a walk this evening I noticed quite a few periodic cicadas emerging in the grass, crawling on the sidewalks and on the trunks of trees. This is not our year for the 17-year brood. We should not have them until 2007. Has anyone else in the Chicago area seen these cicadas? — Sue, Flossmoor, IL
Cicada singing
Date: Monday, Jun/9/2003
I heard the cicadas singing for the first time this morning after my walk. Now that I have my doors open I can hear them on and off. — Sue, Flossmoor, IL
In 2020 many people left comments on the Brood XIII page, emailed us (thanks Neil) and left sightings via the Cicada Safari app.
1Williams, K.S. & Simon, C. 1995. The Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution of Periodical Cicadas. Annual Review of Entomology. Vol. 40:269-295 (https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.en.40.010195.001413).
Here’s some cicada-inspired Pokemon:
Ninjask:
Ninjask:
Shedinja:
Cicada Toys and Collectables
Some videos and images of cicada toys and collectibles. Enjoy.
Playlist of videos of a few of the items on this page and more:
Cicada click toy from Japan. Found in an antique store in Ohio:
A larger cicada click toy. I think I found this one on eBay:
Cicada clothes pins. I think Roy Troutman sent me these:
Cicada noise maker. Crank it and it makes a noise.
Cicada face magnet. Found in eBay.
Cicada whistle from Peru. I received this as a gift.
Plus cicada toys from Japan. Found on eBay. The black and green on is a Hyalessa maculaticollis.
Cicada socks:
Cicada spinner whistle:
Carved Bamboo Cicada:
Brood V emerging 4 years late
Looking at the latest map from Cicada Safari app data, it appears that cicadas from Brood V are emerging 4 years late. 4 year Stragglers! 21-year-old cicadas! Look around Akron, Ohio, eastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia.
Here’s a link to the Brood V map on Cicadas @ UCONN (formerly Magicicada.org).
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
Magicicada septendecim cicada from Brood IX in Greenbrier County, WV. Photo by Tony Maro. Thanks Tony!
Skip to a section: Broods | Your Town | Pre Emergence Signs | Compare Magicicada Species.
17 & 13 Year Periodical Cicadas
What will happen in 2025:
The Forecast for 2025 is Brood XIV will emerge in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. (Green means the emergence has begun.)
Stragglers from other broods have been reported.
Magicicada Brood Chart
The Brood Chart features the names of the broods (Roman numerals), emergence years, cycle-length, straggler-years, species and states where they may emerge.
Brood | Year | Cycle | States |
---|---|---|---|
I | 2029 | 17 | TN, VA, WV |
II | 2030 | 17 | CT, GA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OK, PA, VA |
III | 2031 | 17 | IA, IL, MO |
IV | 2032 | 17 | IA, KS, MO, NE, OK, TX |
V | 2033 | 17 | LI NY, MD, OH, PA, VA, WV |
VI | 2034 | 17 | GA, NC, SC, WI, OH |
VII | 2035 | 17 | NY |
VIII | 2036 | 17 | OH, PA, WV, OK |
IX | 2037 | 17 | NC, VA, WV |
X | 2038 | 17 | DE, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, DC |
XIII | 2041 | 17 | IA, IL, IN, MI, WI |
XIV | 2025 | 17 | GA, IN, KY, MA, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV |
XIX | 2037 | 13 | AL, AR, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, VA |
XXII | 2027 | 13 | KY, LA, MS, OH |
XXIII | 2028 | 13 | AR, IL, IN, KY, LA, MO, MS, TN |
Brood I (1)
Emergences: 2029, 2012, 1995, 1978, 1961.
Cycle: 17-Year.
Stragglers: 2025 (-4), 2028 (-1).
Species: M. septendecim, M. cassini, M. septendecula.
States: TN, VA, WV
Brood II (2)
Emergences: 2030, 2013, 1996, 1979, 1962.
Cycle: 17-Year.
Stragglers: 2026 (-4), 2029 (-1)
Species: M. septendecim, M. cassini, M. septendecula.
States: CT, GA, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OK, PA, VA
Brood III (3)
Emergences: 2031, 2014, 1997, 1980, 1963.
Cycle: 17-Year.
Stragglers: 2027 (-4), 2030 (-1)
Species: M. septendecim, M. cassini, M. septendecula.
States: IA, IL, MO
Brood IV (4)
Emergences: 2032, 2015, 1998, 1981, 1964.
Cycle: 17-Year.
Stragglers: 2028 (-4), 2031 (-1)
Species: M. septendecim, M. cassini, M. septendecula.
States: IA, KS, MO, NE, OK, TX
Brood V (5)
Emergences: 2033, 2016, 1999, 1982, 1965.
Cycle: 17-Year.
Stragglers: 2029 (-4), 2032 (-1)
Species: M. septendecim, M. cassini, M. septendecula.
States: LI NY, MD, OH, PA, VA, WV
Brood VI (6)
Emergences: 2034, 2017, 2000, 1983, 1966.
Cycle: 17-Year.
Stragglers: 2030 (-4), 2933 (-1)
Species: M. septendecim, M. septendecula.
States: GA, NC, SC, WI, OH
Brood VII (7)
Emergences: 2035, 2018, 2001, 1984, 1967.
Cycle: 17-Year.
Stragglers: 2031 (-4), 2034 (-1)
Species: M. septendecim.
States: NY
Brood VIII (8)
Emergences: 2036, 2019, 2002, 1985, 1968.
Cycle: 17-Year.
Stragglers: 2032(-4), 2035(-1)
Species: M. septendecim, M. cassini, M. septendecula.
States: OH, PA, WV and OK
Brood IX (9)
Emergences: 2037, 2020, 2003, 1986, 1969.
Cycle: 17-Year.
Stragglers: 2033(-4), 2036(-1)
Species: M. septendecim, M. cassini, M. septendecula.
States: NC, VA, WV
Brood X (10)
Emergences: 2038, 2021, 2004, 1987, 1970.
Cycle: 17-Year.
Stragglers: 2034(-4), 2037(-1)
Species: M. septendecim, M. cassini, M. septendecula.
States: DE, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, DC
Brood XIII (13)
Emergences: 2041, 2024, 2007, 1990, 1973.
Cycle: 17-Year.
Stragglers: 2025(+1)
Species: M. septendecim, M. cassini, M. septendecula.
States: IA, IL, IN, MI, WI
Brood XIV (14)
Emergences: 2025, 2025, 2008, 1991, 1974, 1957.
Cycle: 17-Year.
Stragglers: 2026(+1)
Species: M. septendecim, M. cassini, M. septendecula.
States: GA, IN, KY, MA, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV
Brood XIX (19)
Emergences: 2037, 2024, 2011, 1998, 1985.
Cycle: 13-Year.
Stragglers: 2025(+1), 2028(+4)
Species: M. tredecim, M. neotredecim, M. tredecassini, M. tredecula.
States: AL, AR, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, VA
Brood XXII (22)
Emergences: 2027, 2014, 2001, 1988, 1975.
Cycle: 13-Year.
Stragglers: 2026(-1), 2032(+4)
Species: M. tredecim, M. tredecassini, M. tredecula.
States: KY, LA, MS, OH
Brood XXIII (23)
Emergences: 2028, 2015, 2002, 1989, 1976.
Cycle: 13-Year.
Stragglers: 2027(-1), 2032(+4)
Species: M. tredecim, M. neotredecim, M. tredecassini, M. tredecula.
States: AR, IL, IN, KY, LA, MO, MS, TN
Here is a map of all Broods from the Cicadas @ UCONN site. Zoom in and click the pins to see which Brood it represents. (May not work on older devices.)
What specific day will they emerge?
Generally speaking, these cicadas will begin to emerge when the soil 8″ beneath the ground reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit (Heath, 1968). A nice, warm rain will often trigger an emergence. They can emerge anytime from early April to early June. It all depends on the weather.
What should you look for before they emerge?
Chimneys / Turrets
Look for cicada chimneys a.k.a. turrets. These are structures cicadas build out of the soil, positioned above the hole where they will emerge.
Holes
Look for holes in the diameter of an adult’s finger near the root system of a tree. These are sure signs that cicadas will emerge in the area.
Cicadas Under Stones & Slates
You might discover some cicada nymphs while turning over stones or when performing landscaping chores.
What do they look like when they emerge:
Here is a great video of Magicicada nymphs once they have emerged from the ground:
This is a recently emerged nymph crawling up a tree. Note that its eyes are red.
Once cicadas nymphs have emerged from the ground, they will try to find a tree (or similar vertical surface), and then begin the process of shedding their old nymph skins (ecdysis), expanding their wings, and changing to their adult coloring. Watch this amazing transformation.
How to tell the difference between the seven Magicicada species:
Left to right: Magicicada cassini, Magicicada septendecula, Magicicada septendecim:
The first way is based on the Brood. Take a look at the Brood chart above, and see which species appear with the Brood.
There are 3 basic types of Magicicada: “‘Decims”, “‘Cassini” and “‘Deculas”.
“Decims” aka Pharaoh Cicadas
There are three species in this category:
- Magicicada septendecim (Linnaeus, 1758). 17-year life cycle. Broods: I-X, XIII, XIV.
- Magicicada neotredecim Marshall and Cooley 2000. 13-year life cycle. Broods: XIX, XXIII.
- Magicicada tredecim (Walsh and Riley, 1868). 13-year life cycle. Brood: XIX, XXII, XXIII.
Their songs are very similar, however, when M. neotredecim & M. tredecim emerge in the same location, M. neotredecim’s song takes a higher pitch. Sounds like “Pharaoh, Pharaoh!”.
Visual Appearance:
Male on left; Female on right.
M. neotredecim & M. septendecim have broad orange stripes with more orange than black on their abdomens.
M. tredecim, by comparison, have almost entirely orange abdomens.
M. septendecim cicadas also have an area of orange coloring between the eye and the wing (pronotal extension).
“Cassini” aka Dwarf Cicadas
There are two species in this category:
- Magicicada cassini (Fisher, 1851). 17-year life cycle. Broods: I-V, VIII-X, XIII, XIV.
- Magicicada tredecassini Alexander and Moore, 1962. 13-year life cycle. Broods: XIX, XXII, XXII.
Their songs are essentially identical:
M. cassini Call and Court:
Note how it makes a quick burst of sound, followed by some rapid clicks.
Visual Appearance:
Female on left; Male on right.
M. tredecassin & M. cassini cicadas have black abdomens with virtually no orange at all. Orange stripes are possible in the mid-west (important to note for Brood IV).
“Decula”
There are two species in this category:
- Magicicada septendecula Alexander and Moore, 1962. 17-year life cycle. Broods: I-VI, VIII-X, XIII, XIV.
- Magicicada tredecula Alexander and Moore, 1962. 13-year life cycle. Broods: XIX, XXII, XXIII.
Their songs are essentially identical:
M. tredecula Call:
Note the “tick, tick, tick” rhythm of the call.
Visual Appearance:
Female on left; Male on right.
M. septendecula & M. tredecula have stripes that feature more black than orange. Otherwise, they’re very similar to M. cassini.
How to figure out if they’re coming to your town?
- Verify that they’re coming to your state. Check the Magicicada Brood Chart on this page.
- Check Cicada Brood Maps linked from this page to see if they’re coming to your general area.
- Check to see if they’re coming to your neighborhood. Good sources include:
- Ask someone who lived there 17 (or 13) years before.
- Old timers (hint: old timers usually call them locusts).
- Check your local Library for old newspaper articles.
- Check with a local college: contact the entomology, forestry, or agriculture-related departments.
- Your local national, state, county, and town parks department (parks and rec). Some county parks departments plan events around cicada emergences.
- When will they emerge?
- They will emerge sometime in the Spring, for sure.
- They typically emerge once the soil 8 inches (20 cm) below the surface gets to 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celcius). At that temperature, they will start digging their tunnels to the surface. After a couple of days with above-ground temperatures near the 80’s F, and after a good rain, they will emerge. Read this paper for more info: 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.
- Cicadas in sunny areas of your yard will emerge before cicadas in shady areas.
- Cicadas in the southernmost states will emerge before cicadas in the northern states.
- You can try the Cicada Emergence Formula as well.
- If you don’t want them to damage your young or ornamental trees
- Spray them off with a garden hose.
- Foil around the trunk (to keep them from crawling up) (thanks Deborah).
- Insect barrier tape.
- Netting wrapped around & over the tree. “Insect barrier netting”. “Fruit tree covers”.
- Bagpipes (no joke, it worked at my friend’s wedding).
- Don’t use pesticides – we like all insects (especially pollinating bees).
- Are you scared of insects?
- Unlike some other insects & arthropods. cicadas are not poisonous or venomous.
- Try a hat, an umbrella, a bee-keeper outfit, a suit of armor…
- They’re coming, and they’re going to ruin my wedding!
Questions about the Brood Chart
Question: Why do I have cicadas in my neighborhood, but your chart indicates that I shouldn’t?
Answer: Some possibilities: 1) they are stragglers, periodical cicadas that emerge too soon or late, 2) they are not periodical cicadas but are a different North American species, 3) you live on a continent other than North America, in which case, try one of these pages, or 4) SURPRISE! The U.S. is a big place and some cicada populations have yet to be documented.
Question: Why don’t I have periodical cicadas in my area, but the information on your website indicates that I should?
Answer: Two possibilities: 1) they went extinct or otherwise died off in your area, or 2) they aren’t everywhere in a state – normally there are large gaps in their range.
Question: What are stragglers?
Answer: Stragglers can emerge 1 or 4 years early or 1 or 4 years late. Don’t be surprised if you see some periodical cicadas emerge earlier than planned this year. 17-year brood members are most likely to straggle 4 years early, and 13-year brood members are most likely to straggle 4 years late. Straggler probability chart.
Question: Are there other types of Periodical cicadas?
Answer: There are two known species of periodical cicadas that are not Magicicada . One lives in India and the other in Fiji.
Question: Why are there no Brood XI, XII, XV, or XVI?
Answer: Perhaps you’ve noticed there are no Broods XI (11), XII (12), XV (15), XVI (16), XVII (17), XVIII (18), XX (20), XXI (21), XXIV (24), etc. Don’t worry about that. They never existed or are extinct (XI, XXI).
Question: In total, how often do periodical cicadas emerge?
Answer: Over the next 10 years (including 2025), there’s a 90% chance at least one Magicicada brood will emerge somewhere in the U.S.A. Across time, that percentage falls to 77%. Next year (2026) no Broods will emerge. The next 3 year gap (max gap) is 2043-2045.
Example Emergence Timeline
This is an example of a typical cicada emergence. The exact dates will depend on the weather and density of the emergence in your location. Hot weather means an early start and quicker finish to the season — cool weather means a later start and a protracted season.
Here’s an Excel version of the chart. Feel free to use it and adjust it to match your experience.
Or watch the video version:
More Magicicada websites:
- For much more information about 17-year cicadas visit Cicadas @ UCONN. The maps on this page link to that site.
- The Cicada Safari App is available for Android and Apple devices. Use it to see where people are finding cicadas, and to report your sightings.
More Magicicada Information
- Cicada Images and Video for Sharing (by the Media, Educators, or anyone else)
- My best Photos (from Brood VII)
- A quick way to tell the difference between the 7 periodical cicada species
- All cicada questions that are frequently asked.
- Blog posts about Magicicadas (400+ Posts!)
- Learn to tell if a periodical cicada is ready to molt
- The 17 Most Interesting Periodical Cicada Facts
- Signs periodical cicadas are about to emerge.
- Use the Periodical Cicada Emergence Checklist for the Maximum Magicicada Experience
- A video to help you tell the difference between the species
Rebecca van den Bogert shared this photo of a cicada from Ecuador.
Details: “Plaza de Ponchos” Marktet in Otovalo / April 19th 2007 / 2 p.m. / about 65 °F.
I’m reasonably certain it belongs to the genus Pachypsaltria, and might be Pachypsaltria cinctomaculata. I’m not 100% of that.
Photo by Rebecca van den Bogert. Original was cropped.