Posted on 05/07/25
| News Source: Pikesville Patch
Baltimore, MD – May 7, 2025 – Yes, you read that right: Maryland is about to be swarmed by cicadas again — only four years after the unforgettable Brood X emergence in 2021. This time, it’s Brood XIV — a massive group of periodical cicadas making an early appearance in what scientists call a “straggler” emergence.
Typically, Brood XIV wasn't due until 2028, but thousands (possibly millions) are surfacing in Maryland and 12 other states earlier than expected, due to natural biological glitches. These stragglers — 17-year cicadas arriving four years early — are already making their presence known in parts of the state.
The last major cicada event in Maryland, Brood X in 2021, was one of the largest and noisiest in memory. Now, in 2025, experts say this new emergence won’t rival that in scale, but it could still feel just as loud and disruptive. Brood XIV is technically the second-largest cicada brood in the U.S., according to the University of Connecticut.
"You know, we said we weren't gonna see them for another 17 years. Right? But oh, my gosh! Here they are again,” said Dr. Michael Raupp, Professor Emeritus at the University of Maryland, in a WJZ interview.
These flying, buzzing bugs are expected to emerge in full force once soil temperatures hit 64°F at a depth of 7–8 inches — likely by mid-May. Early sightings have already been reported in parts of the state.
Where to Expect Them:
Cicadas from Brood XIV are set to emerge not only in Maryland but also in Ohio, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. In Maryland, the "tsunami" of cicadas is expected in the last two weeks of May through early June.
Noisy But Harmless:
While the male cicadas’ mating calls can hit 100 decibels — the volume of a jackhammer — cicadas are not harmful to people, pets, or most plants. They’re a short-lived (but loud) natural spectacle.
So yes — if you’re wondering whether this is a déjà vu from 2021, you’re not imagining things. Maryland’s getting another round of the “Cicadapalooza,” and while it’s not as massive as last year’s dual-brood emergence, it’s enough to make you double-check your windows — and your earplugs.