Cicada Brood XIV to return to Virginia for the first time in 17 years

Apr 28, 2025 - 12:25

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Cicada Brood XIV to return to Virginia for the first time in 17 years

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Cicada Brood XIV will be emerging from the ground across Virginia any day now. Experts say you will likely see these red-eyed creatures and most certainly hear them.

These specific broods emerge from the ground every 17 years. The last time Central Virginia saw them was in 2008.

The good news is that these cicadas do not bite or sting and are not dangerous to humans or pets. Adult cicadas do not feed, so most of your plants should be in the clear. However, female cicadas can damage young trees while laying eggs, but most can easily be protected with netting.

They’ll naturally go away in about five to six weeks, so experts say there is no need to treat cicadas with pesticides.

"The big thing is to enjoy the symphony that we’re going to hear from all of these millions of bugs because they’re going to be very distinct from the rest of the cicadas," Terminix regional branch manager Mauricio Cardona Flores said. "These cicadas- the males will give off a screaming sound, and the females will give off a sound like a flicker.”

Flores described them as having black bodies and red eyes with orange vein-like patterns on their wings.

Two different cicada broods are scheduled to emerge from the ground across states in the South and Midwest this spring. (Getty Images)

“Let’s make sure that when we walk out of the house, just assume that when you look to the left, look to the right, you’ll see one of these bugs," he said.

Flores said they emerge once the ground reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

"So, once they emerge, we’ll see the exoskeleton everywhere on the ground, they’ll molt into adults, and then after that they’ll mate, lay their eggs, and after two months they’ll just fade away," he said.

These cicadas are loud, so while you’re outside for the next few weeks, take in the sound of the cicadas, because it could be another 17 years until you hear these broods again.

Virginia is just one of 13 states expected to see these cicadas. Here's a list of where they'll be: