By Blake Jackson
Kentucky is bracing for the significant emergence of Brood XIV, the 17-year periodical cicadas, this spring. Dubbed the "Bourbon Brood" by University of Kentucky entomologists due to the state being the epicenter, these cicadas are recognizable by their red eyes and loud chorus.
While some western Kentucky counties have seen cicadas recently, central and eastern Kentucky will experience the largest emergence in 2025.
According to UK entomologist Jonathan Larson, these 17-year cicadas will emerge from the soil in late April to early May, coinciding with iris blooms.
"We will begin seeing this brood of cicadas when the soil warms to the mid-60s," Larson stated, emphasizing their earlier appearance compared to annual cicadas and their rarity. The nymphs live underground, feeding on tree root sap for 17 years, counting their feeding cycles to time their emergence.
Cicadas pose no threat to humans or pets, as they neither bite nor sting, and unlike locusts, they do not swarm or cause significant plant damage. Local wildlife will benefit from the abundant protein source.
The distinct, loud songs of the male cicadas, used to attract mates, will be pervasive. "A song from a large congregation of cicadas can be deafening, rivaling the sound made by a jet engine," Larson explained.
The primary concern is egg-laying, where females can damage young tree and shrub branches, potentially causing them to break.
To protect vulnerable plants like young fruit trees and ornamentals, Larson recommends using cicada netting when the singing begins in mid-May.
"By using the netting," Larson said, "we won’t be harming these wonderful examples of nature’s pageantry." Established, taller trees will generally withstand the egg-laying.
For more information, visit the UK Department of Entomology website https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef446
Photo Credit: university-of-kentucky
Categories: Kentucky, Education