Where Are The Cicadas In Maryland?
10. Say’s cicada – 
Say’s Cicada on a log | image by krisskinou via iNaturalist Scientific name : Okanagana rimosa rimosa The say’s cicada is named after the father of American entomology, Thomas Say. You can commonly find these cicadas in Washington county and northern counties in the central region of Maryland.
Contents
Where are cicadas found in Maryland?
Figure 1. Brood X periodical cicada. Photo Credit: Ward Upham, Kansas State University, Bugwood.org Periodical cicadas are native to the eastern United States and emerge once every 13 or 17 years – making them a rare sight to see! Maryland is home to three 17-year species – Magicicada septendecim, Magicicada cassini, and Magicicada septendecula. Figure 2. Mid-Atlantic Brood Map. Photo Credit: Cicadas.Info The Brood X cicada emergence is the largest of all broods, wi th many billions emerging at the same time. Numbers vary from place to place. Based on the last Brood X emergence in Maryland, they will likely appear in the following counties: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, eastern Garrett, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Washington.
Brood X cicadas synchronously emerge in large numbers as part of a predator satiation strategy. By coordinating their emergence, the sheer number of cicadas will allow for many to be eaten by predators while some of the population survives to procreate. Cicada predators include some birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and other insects.
( Cicada Crew UMD ) Figure 3. Brown periodical cicada nymph. Photo credit: Maryland Department of Agriculture Figure 4. Previous Brood X emergence. Photo Credit: Michael J. Raupp, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Entomology and Extension Specialist at the University of Maryland Extension In Maryland, Brood X will begin to emerge in early May 2021 and will die off by the end of June.
Why are there no cicadas on the Eastern Shore of Maryland?
Most people in the D.C. area are getting a buzzing, constant reminder that cicadas have emerged from their 17-year slumber. But people in Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore aren’t waking up to the Brood X alarm every morning. Michael Raupp, a professor of entomology at the University of Maryland, said those areas do not see periodic cicadas for a combination of reasons.
Many of these broods of cicadas evolved during periods of glaciation over the last 100,000 years or so. It could simply be that parts of our Eastern Shore was submerged underwater during times when glaciers receded and sea levels rose,” Raupp said. Humans could be a factor as to why these the loud insects are not seen (or heard) in those areas.
“Remember during our Colonial period much of that land was cleared for agriculture,” Raupp said. “And basically, cicadas depend on trees. Once we deforest an area, cicadas will be gone.” Raupp also said that cicada eggs do not do well in sandy soil that can be seen across the region. Luke Lukert Since joining WTOP Luke Lukert has held just about every job in the newsroom from producer to web writer and now he works as a full-time reporter. He is an avid fan of UGA football. Go Dawgs! Like WTOP on Facebook and follow WTOP on Twitter and Instagram to engage in conversation about this article and others.
Why are there no cicadas anymore?
Expert explains why cicadas have been missing from Australian summer in 2021 Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience 
The Australian is synonymous with hot, humid weather, barbecues, and the deafening shriek of cicadas buzzing in the back yard. But some Aussies have been quick to point out the noticeable absence of one of our most iconic sounds, and experts say they’re not alone. Aussies have noticed a distinct lack of cicadas this summer. (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett) “Last year, cicadas were much more numerous,” cicada expert Dr Lindsay Popple said. “Multiple species’ synchronised last year and came out together in numbers, so following on from that you’re bound to have a quieter season after that one.” Dr Popple said that the summer after a large emergence of cicadas is usually less significant due to the next generating spending a number of years bellow ground before resurfacing again. Cicadas actually spend the majority of their lifespan underground. (Angie Macias/WVU) “Another factor is that a lot of eastern Australia has had higher than average winter rainfall, and that produces conditions that are ripe for natural enemies of cicadas,” he added.
Most people are unaware that cicadas actually spend most of their life underground, only coming above ground when it’s time to mate. “So, it’s only the last part of their life cycle that they emerge and start making all that noise. “Once they’ve emerged as adults – it depends on the weather and conditions – but they can be above ground for just one or two weeks, particularly the smaller ones.” Dr Popple said that it may even be another few years until we see a mass re-emergence of the creatures again.
“I reckon around 2023 or 2024, it probably (won’t) be until then we get the big emergence,” he said. CONTACT US : Expert explains why cicadas have been missing from Australian summer in 2021
What kind of trees do cicadas not like?
Did you happen to hear a lot of noise this past May and June coming from the trees around your office building or home? That unique noise was the periodical, or 17-year, cicadas.I find it fascinating that periodical cicadas started as eggs back in 1999 and lived underground in the nymphal stage, feeding on sap from tree roots until recently emerging in 2016. 
People have asked me if the periodical cicadas will kill their trees or shrubs. In most cases, the answer is no. Periodical cicadas are technically parasites of trees and need trees to survive. They don’t damage trees by chewing leaves like other insects, but can damage young, tender tree branches while laying their eggs.
You may have noticed numerous brown hanging branch tips in trees this past summer—that’s the cicada damage called flagging. The term flagging is used because the leaves of a damaged branch will turn brown and look like a hanging flag. According to the Ohio State University Extension, “Over 270 species of tree, vine and woody shrubs have been documented as supporting the eggs of periodical cicadas.” Some of the preferred host trees of cicadas are maple, oak, hickory, beech, ash, willow, dogwood, hawthorn, magnolia, apple, pear, peach and cherry.
They avoid evergreen trees because the sap interferes with their egg nests. Cicadas pose the largest threat to ornamental and young deciduous trees because they have fewer branches and may not be able to tolerate the flagging. Shrubs, flowers and vegetables aren’t typically an ideal for cicada egg-laying and seem to only be used by cicadas if the emergence is particularly heavy in an area.
- Do note that branch dieback can be caused by other tree problem.
- To confirm cicada damage, check the branch behind the declining foliage and look for small slits in the branch where cicadas lay their eggs.
- If you haven’t seen or heard cicadas and don’t find the scars from egg-laying, the branch dieback may have been caused by something else and further investigation by a tree expert may be needed.
Luckily there are control tactics that can be used to protect young trees and shrubs, which have the most desirable branch size for periodical cicada egg-laying. Here are some of them according to the Ohio State University Extension:
Cultural Control – Delay Tree Planting: ” If a periodical cicada emergence is predicted, it may be best to postpone new orchard plantings until the following spring. Home gardeners are encouraged to delay planting until late summer or fall, after the adult cicadas have died.” Cultural Control – Prevent Egg-Laying: ” Trees in small orchards or yards can be protected with nylon netting or cheesecloth during the egg-laying period. The netting should have a mesh of no less than a quarter inch thickness and be placed over the trees when the first male songs are heard. The netting should be tied to the trunk beneath the lower branches and can be removed after adult activity has ended. Eggs may also be removed by pruning out destroyed twigs.” Chemical Control – Not Recommended: ” Insecticide treatments are typically not recommended. However, if young trees are present and cicadas are in the area, treatment may be warranted. Registered products may be applied to deciduous trees and shrubs. These products should be applied prior to egg-laying. Blooming trees and plants should be avoided to reduce nontarget effects to honeybees. During persistent cicada activity, short residual activity pesticides will need to be applied every week or two until flight ceases. Before using any pesticide, always read the label, follow the directions and take safety precautions.”
There have been several invasive insects found in Ohio that have caused serious damage to trees, but in most cases the periodical cicadas are not one of them. So mark your calendar for May 2033, sit back and marvel at the awesome 17-year cicadas. Your trees and shrubs should be safe!
