The Cicadas Are Coming: Learn More At Montgomery Libraries' Event

SILVER SPRING, MD — If your fascination with the upcoming emergence of 17-year cicadas in Maryland exceeds your heebie-jeebies quotient, you may want to tune in to this special online event.

On May 17, Montgomery County Public Libraries will host a virtual event called "Celebrate Cicadas and Other Cool Bugs!" The library system will be joined by the University of Maryland's Jessica Karunaratne, who will answer questions that you may have about periodical cicadas and other bugs in the area.

For those of you who don't know, Maryland will be at the epicenter of this year's emergence of 17-year cicadas.

Billions of the Brood X cicadas — last seen in the D.C. metro area in 2004 — will begin popping out of the ground as soon as soil temperatures reach 64 degrees, which researchers predict will be in May or June.

Once they're above ground, the cicadas will head to the tops of trees. Dr. Michael Raupp, known for his Bug Guy blog and a professor emeritus of entomology at the University of Maryland, said this is where a cycle of romance, sex, birth, and death takes place.

It will all start with the male cicadas blasting a loud call to attract mates. Once they pair off, the females lay eggs in small tree branches.

The collective song of male cicadas calling for mates can reach up to 100 decibels. Think of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle with straight pipes constantly running outside your window.

To learn more about Brood X cicadas, hop on Zoom at 4 p.m. on May 17 for the "Celebrate Cicadas and Other Cool Bugs!" event. You can also join by dialing 301-715-8592. The Meeting ID is 967 8124 2399.

They’re coming… Don’t hide from the cicadas – celebrate them! Learn more about their fascinating lifespans at an educational @MCPL_Libraries event on Mon. May 17th at 4 PM. On hand will be Jessica Karunaratne from the University of Maryland's Cicada Crew: https://t.co/AqLESfyTGL pic.twitter.com/5ZjwWmUVhE
— FriendsoftheLibrary (@FOLMC) April 28, 2021

SEE ALSO:

• You Can Eat 17-Year Cicadas As They Emerge In Maryland
• Billions Of 17-Year Cicadas Will Emerge; MD Epicenter In 2021
• Cicadas Swarm And Copperheads: Yes, It's A Thing In Maryland