Georgia 2017: The Cicadas Are About To Emerge

(Updated 5:30 p.m. April 17) ATLANTA, GA — A somewhat nasty phenomenon that longtime Georgians will recognize is on its way back this year. Cicadas, sometimes known as "17-year locusts," are expected to rampage through the region in massive numbers this year.

The bugs, which, in large numbers, can do serious damage to young trees, shrubs and various crops, are always around. But huge broods of them occasionally hatch all at once, usually in 13-year and 17-year cycles. Expected in northwest Georgia, the brood could begin emerging any day now, said University of Georgia entomologist Nancy C. Hinkle.

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According to The Gardener's Network, a 17-year brood is expected to hatch this month in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The broods tend to hatch in the spring.

Known as Brood VI, this batch of cicadas is expected to emerge in Rabun County, Georgia. Depending on the size of the brood, periodical cicadas are most likely to show up in Rabun, Dade, Elbert, Floyd, Habersham, Paulding, White and surrounding counties, according to Hinkle.

The area that a brood impacts can vary widely from one hatching to the next. The Georgia brood could number in the millions and may impact anywhere from a single, small area to several states.

In 2016, periodical cicadas in some areas hit densities of 1.5 million insects per acre, according to the Washington Post.

Fortunately, the adult life span of a cicada is short. The young nymphs often land on trees to shed their skin and become adults. After that, they spend only about four to six weeks above ground before dying.

Contrary to popular belief, adult cicadas do not eat the vegetation that comes into their path.

Rather, adult females cut slits into twigs and small branches to lay their eggs. The eggs hatch, creating tiny nymphs which fall to the ground and burrow, feeding on underground tree roots for years until it's their time to emerge.

Fruit trees are particularly vulnerable to damage by cicadas, along with ash, beech, dogwood, hickory, oak and willow, among others.

Pines and firs, along with most flowers and vegetables, are generally not bothered by the bugs. They also do not bite or sting humans or other animals.

The best defense against cicadas, according to The Gardener's Network, is 1/4-inch mesh netting spread all the way around the tree or plant you want to protect. Insecticides are useless against cicadas.

After this season, it will be 2021 before Brood X — another 17-year brood — could impact Georgia.

Anyone who spots cicadas emerging this year is asked to notify UGA at 706-542-9033 or Insects@uga.edu.

Photo via Pixabay