Nothing to Brood About

FAIRFAX, Va. (June 29, 2013) – As we hear fewer and fewer cicadas, many along the east coast wonder why they never heard any to begin with. There was a lot of hype about this year’s predicted “ Swarmageddon” along the east coast, but many people who expected to see the insects were left disappointed or confused.

Talk about the 17-year cicadas makes it seem as if there is only one group, but in reality, there are 13 groups of 17-year cicadas. These are called broods, and the cicadas in each brood emerge together on their own cycle separate from every other brood.

This year’s group was called Brood II and historically stretches along the east coast from Massachusetts through Virginia. However, this is a different brood than some of these states saw in 2004. That was Brood X, the largest one, which stretches from New Jersey to Illinois and south to Alabama.

Check online on any cicada-tracking website to find out which broods are buried underneath your area and when they are expected to emerge.