Cicadas areinvading the U.S.asBrood XIVcontinues to make their way to over a dozen U.S. states. Brood XIV, the second-largest ofperiodical cicadabroods, began emerging in the spring with most of the buzzing and clicking being heard inwestern North Carolina, southern Kentucky and parts of Tennessee. Gene Kritsky, a professor at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, told USA TODAY that the sightings are expected to occur in 13 U.S. states this year. Since early May, sightings in the Asheville, North Carolina area have risen from 140 to 739, according to Kristsky's group, Cicada Safari, which crowdsources and reviews data on the insects. Brood XIV emerges every 17 years, meaning the last time they came around was when former President George W. Bush was in office and the average price of eggs was only$1.99. The cicada brood usually knows it's time to emerge when the ground temperature reaches about 64 degrees, 8 inches below the surface. With cicadas flying around the U.S., pictures of the photogenic creatures have popped up. See the insects as they enjoy their time in the sun. Contributing: Anthony Robledo, Saleen Martin, Elizabeth Weise & Janet Loehrke/ USA TODAY Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Cicadas from Brood XIV invade parts of US: See photos
