Periodical cicada Brood VIII (Eight) will emerge in 2019 in western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, and the tip of the northern panhandle of West Virginia. The last time this brood emerged was in 2002.
What, when, where, and why:
What:
- Millions of these:
- Cicada insects with a 17-year life cycle.
- Some people call them “locusts” but they’re really cicadas.
- Which species: All three 17-year species, Magicicada septendecim, Magicicada cassini and Magicicada septendecula. How to tell the difference between the species.
- NOT the green ones that arrive annually.
When: Typically beginning in mid-May and ending in late June. These cicadas will begin to emerge approximately when the soil 8″ beneath the ground reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit. A nice, warm rain will often trigger an emergence.
Where:
- Magicicada.org has the most up to date map.
- Pennsylvania Counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Indiana, Lawrence, Venango, Washington, Westmoreland.
- Pennsylvania Cities: Apollo, Baden, Beaver, Burgettstown, Center Township, Cheswick, Chippewa, Cranberry, Economy Boro, Ellwood City, Fawn Township, Finnleyville, Freedom, Gilpin, Greensburg, Harmony, Hopewell, Indiana, Midland, Natrona Heights, New Brighton, Pittsburgh, Robinson Township, Rochester, Sewickley, Shelocta, West Deer, and more.
- Ohio Counties: Columbiana, Mahoning
- Ohio Cities: Boardman, East Liverpool, Lisbon, Mineral Ridge, Toronto, Wellsville, Youngstown, and more.
- West Virginia Counties: Hancock
- West Virginia Cities: Weirton, and more.
- County data is from the Cicada Central Periodical Cicada Record Database. Cities come from 2002 reports.
Why: Why do they emerge in massive numbers every 17-years? In a nutshell, the long life cycle has helped them avoid gaining a specific above-ground predator, and the massive numbers allow them to satiate predators in general, allowing enough to survive and reproduce.
