Governor Hogan today issued a proclamation to declare May and June 2021 as Maryland Magicicada Months in order to recognize the return of the 17-year periodical cicada and general public awareness.

Only found in the eastern United States, the Brood X periodical cicadas only emerge every 17 years. They will begin to emerge in early May and will die off by the end of June.

From the press release:

“I encourage all Marylanders to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about these remarkable, harmless creatures,” said Governor Hogan. “For a few short weeks this spring, many across the state will have a front-row seat to witness a natural phenomenon that happens nowhere else on the planet.”

The Brood X cicada emergence is the largest of all broods, with possibly many billions emerging at the same time. Numbers will vary from place to place. Based on the 2004 Brood X emergence in Maryland, cicadas will likely appear in the following counties: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, eastern Garrett, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Washington. If you live in one of these areas and are surrounded by older trees, chances are their populations will be higher.

Brood X periodical cicadas made their last debut in spring 2004. Since then, cicada nymphs have been living underground, a couple of feet below the surface, feeding on sap from tree roots for the past 17 years. Now in spring 2021, Brood X adults are preparing to emerge when soil temperatures reach approximately 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

To prepare, find out of your area is expected to see Brood X cicadas. For more information and additional resources, visit the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s cicada webpage.

Stay tuned to Conduit Street for the latest.