Western North Carolina is witnessing a “remarkable” natural event this spring as thousands of cicadas emerge from a 17-year stint underground.
With a buzz that is louder than a lawnmower, these cicadas have been waiting almost two decades to surface. And, despite a Bob Dylan song mislabeling them, they shouldn’t be mistaken for locusts.
These cicadas are offspring of a brood of cicadas that emerged in 2008, according to North Carolina State University’s Kelly Oten, an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Forest Health. The parents of the 2025 cicadas were above ground, Oten writes, “when George W. Bush was president, the first film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – Iron Man – was released, and the Motorola RAZR was the top-selling phone.”
They spend most of their lives about eight inches underground, then make their way to the surface to molt, mate, and lay eggs before dying within a few weeks.
“They’ll be hard to miss — if not by sight, then by sound! Male cicadas produce a loud buzz which can reach over 100 decibels. While noisy to us, this is very attractive to female cicadas, which have one goal in their aboveground life: to reproduce,” Oten writes.
Her advice is to “enjoy the short-lived cacophony! This particular show won’t be back for another 17 years, in 2042!”
Here are a few frequently asked questions about cicadas, specifically those currently active in the North Carolina mountains and surrounds:
FAQ:
Do cicadas bite or sting?
Cicadas do not bite or sting and are not a danger to humans or pets.
Where did cicadas in North Carolina come from?
The cicadas that residents of Western North Carolina see – and hear – this spring are periodical cicadas. Unlike annual cicadas, which appear every summer, periodical cicadas spend 13 or 17 years underground as nymphs, feeding on tree roots.
How long do cicadas spend above ground?
Once above ground, cicadas shed their exoskeleton and look for love – or at least a mate. This process can last anywhere from three to six weeks.
Are cicadas also called locusts?
Despite their similar appearance and their tendency to travel in broods, these bugs are a separate species than locusts.
How loud are cicadas?
The sound of millions of bugs eagerly seeking a mate can reach roughly 100 decibels, which is just shy of standing three feet from a chainsaw. To make their love buzz, the male cicadas rapidly vibrate a pair of white, ribbed membranes called tymbals that sit on either side of their abdomens.
Will cicadas mess up my car?
The bugs are mostly harmless, says AAA, but can do damage to paint and other car components if not cleaned properly.
When is the next cicada brood?
After this year, the next brood will appear in another 17 years – which would be 2042.
