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Cicadas abuzz around Western Pennsylvania as summer progresses

Julia Felton
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AP
One of the millions of periodical cicadas in the area clings to a leaf after it emerged from a 17-year hibernation in Zelienople.
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CicadaMania.com
Brood VIII (8) of periodical cicadas in Western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and a slice of West Virginia will emerge this year as part of its 17-year life cycle. This group of insects last appeared in 2002 and will appear next in 2036.

The annual cicadas are buzzing in Western Pennsylvania, as the large insects emerge from underground for the hottest months of summer.

Cicadas are best known for their noises — mating calls coming from the males — that can be heard from dawn till dusk.

Joe Stavish, manager of community education at Tree Pittsburgh, said while they’re known for their sound, cicadas are easily identifiable by sight, too. Cicadas are big bugs — typically an inch or more — with four clear wings. Their bodies are dark in color, though some species have green or red markings. Their eyes are spaced far apart.

Cicadas tend to draw the most attention when the 17-year periodical broods emerge, with millions of the insects swarming at once. Pittsburgh won’t see another major brood like that until 2036 — but annual cicadas, which come out in smaller numbers, can be seen and heard in the area every summer.

“Annual cicadas live for three to five years as nymphs underground, and some emerge every year,” said Michael Skvarla, assistant research professor of arthropod identification at Pennsylvania State University. “Various species are active throughout the summer and will be around through fall, although many are more prevalent from late July and August onward.”

This year, Western Pennsylvania will mainly see three types of annual cicadas: Linnes Cicada; Dog Day Cicada, named for the dog days of summer, when they emerge; and Scissor Grinder Cicada, named for their abrasive sounds.

Different types of cicadas make unique calls. In all, Pennsylvania is home to 13 species of cicadas — including three species of periodical cicadas, Skvarla said.

While cicadas may be big and noisy, they’re harmless.

“They can’t bite you or sting you,” Stavish said.

“Cicada nymphs don’t cause long-term harm to trees, so they aren’t considered pests,” Skvarla said.

Cicadas actually provide environmental benefits. After the 17-year cicadas come in massive swarms, their bodies fertilize local forests, Stavish said. They’re also an important food source for an array of animals, including birds, small mammals, turtles, snakes and even fish.

“They’re very nutritious,” Stavish said. “A lot of things eat these insects.”

As cicadas become prevalent during the summer months, so do Cicada Killer Wasps, Stavish said. These wasps are bigger than cicadas and may look intimidating, but they’re not aggressive and don’t congregate in large nests like other wasps. As their name suggests, they’re known for killing cicadas, which female wasps use to feed their larvae in underground nests.

Rather than being alarmed at the large bugs emerging this summer, Stavish said people should take time to appreciate them.

“It’s something fun that’s in our backyard that most people hear, but don’t pay attention to,” he said. “Take notice of them. These are good insects to have around.”

Julia Felton is a TribLive reporter covering Pittsburgh City Hall and other news in and around Pittsburgh. A La Roche University graduate, she joined the Trib in 2020. She can be reached at jfelton@triblive.com.

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