Billions of cicadas have emerged over recent weeks across 15 US states, and while they have not had a widespread impact in New Jersey, they are quite visible – and noisy – in several pockets of the Garden State.
The cicadas of Brood X (there are 15 types of cicadas that scientists lump into separate groups, or broods) have emerged from the ground where they have been hibernating for the past 17 years.
When they emerge, the three-inch-long insects with bright red eyes fly around for about a month, not causing any harm (they don’t bite), but annoying many with their incessant buzzing. The noise from cicadas can reach 90-100 decibels – as loud as a lawnmower.
In New Jersey, the cicadas have affected a small portion of the state, having been seen – and heard – in Princeton, Hopewell, Lambertville, Kingwood, and Clinton, but we have not received any reports of the insects in Lakewood.
Residents have described the sound as an irritation that could slowly sap your resilience and drive you crazy.
“It is so loud and endless, that you need to find a way to tune out the sound. Otherwise, you’ll end up institutionalized,” one person told TLS.
A TLS reader – Floral & Shrub – sent in a video of the creatures flying, along with the sound of their high-pitched buzzing, taken during a job in Princeton. The videos can be watched below.
Cool! Thanks!
not cool at all whoud not want them here at all
Thanks floral and shrub!!!! Great job!
Mamish hilarious to see the juxtaposition of this post and the previous one.
The sun being partially blocked by the moon? – “wow, niflaos haborei”. An insect that somehow knows exactly when 17 years are up and its time to come out from underground to lay eggs and then to die? “its driving people crazy”.
May these plagues and soon.
GD speed.
Gossage out!
Had great experience with Floral&Shrub landscaping!
Chaim is a great guy !
I rather listen to the sounds of nature then people’s constant nagging about everything under the sun .