periodical cicadas – In the Field

17 Years in the Making: Periodical Cicadas Emerging in North Carolina

May 27, 2020 by N.C. Forest Service

Along with donning face masks, some North Carolinians may also be wearing earplugs! After nearly two decades underground, a wave of periodical cicadas is beginning to emerge this month and they will be a noisy bunch! Last spotted in 2003, a group of 17-year cicadas referred to as Brood IX will rise from the soil … Read more

Music to Their Ears: Periodical cicadas are loud but pose little threat to trees

June 28, 2017 by N.C. Forest Service

This year, western North Carolina got an earful. A 17-year periodical cicada emergence is coming to an end, but is leaving ringing ears and dead branch tips in its wake. North Carolinians in the emergence areas no doubt heard the irritating symphony of periodical cicadas as they tried to locate a mate. That’s right, what sounds … Read more