Cicadas are coming but there's good news! Cicadas are not dangerous to humans and, as long as you're not trying to protect fruit trees or grapevines, they're not much of a nuisance. In fact, the insects are pretty interesting.
Cicadas have inhabited this earth for millions of years. Pictured is a fossil from the Jurassic Period.
There are several varieties of cicadas, some of which emerge annually and some which emerge cyclically.
The cicadas that will be emerging this spring in New Jersey are on a 17-year cycle. They last emerged in 2004 and are also known as periodical cicadas.
Cicadas have prominent eyes, short antennae, and are best-known for their prominent song.
More of a drumming than a chirping, they use tymbals to produce the distinct sound.
The cicadas we'll see in the Garden State will be black, orange, and red. After spending most of their lives underground, they are expected to emerge sometime in mid-May to mid-June.
Part of Brood X, one of the largest cicada broods, they are likely to emerge across much of the state with the highest numbers in Burlington, Hunterdon, Mercer, and Salem Counties.
Specific towns likely to be affected include Browns Mills, Hillsborough, Lawrence, Milford, Monmouth Junction, Morristown, Pennington, and Princeton.
Pennsylvania will practically be swarming with them and may be spotted on Long Island, New York in smaller numbers. You'll know if they're in your area by listening for their drumming during the hottest hours of the day. You can also keep an eye out for their shed skins, often found on trees. Are you excited for the cicadas? In some cultures, they are seen as signs of carefree living, good fortune, and immortality!
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