Massive Cicada Swarm, Brood XIV, Set to Buzz Across East Coast

The East Coast is about to get a lot noisier, as the second-largest cicada swarm in U.S. history prepares to emerge, filling the air with their unmistakable hum. Brood XIV, dubbed the "Great(er) Eastern Brood," is set to blanket states from Georgia to New York, promising a natural spectacle that’s both awe-inspiring and a bit overwhelming.

Unlike the annual cicadas that show up every summer, these periodical cicadas follow a 13- or 17-year cycle, living underground before bursting forth in a synchronized display, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. This year’s Brood XIV is a "keystone" group, second only to the massive Brood XIX that swarmed 15 states in 2024. Dr. John Cooley, an ecology expert from the University of Connecticut, notes that the emergence depends heavily on weather. "North Carolina’s already buzzing, but Pennsylvania’s cold snap is keeping things quiet—for now," he said.

Once they arrive, expect about a month of cicada chaos. Adult cicadas will climb trees and shrubs to mate, with females laying eggs on twigs. Six weeks later, nymphs hatch, drop to the ground, and burrow into the soil, restarting their subterranean life cycle. Gardeners, breathe easy: these critters won’t munch on your plants or produce, so skip the extra insecticides.

Here’s the kicker—cicadas are harmless. They don’t bite, sting, or pose any threat to humans, pets, or crops. As Cooley puts it, "This is a uniquely American phenomenon. Nowhere else in the world do you get this kind of show." So, brace for the hum, embrace the oddity, and enjoy a natural event that’s as rare as it is loud.