Brood IX facts for kids
Brood IX (also called Brood 9) is a special group of periodical cicadas. These amazing insects appear regularly across the United States. They emerge from underground every 13 or 17 years. Brood IX is a 17-year brood. This means they only come out once every 17 years!
You can find Brood IX cicadas mainly in the states of Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina.
What Makes Periodical Cicadas Special?
Periodical cicadas are unique because they spend almost their entire lives underground. They live as young insects called nymphs. They feed on tree roots while they wait.
Their Incredible Life Cycle
Every 17 years, in certain parts of the eastern U.S., these cicadas dig their way to the surface. They come out in huge numbers, all at once! This big emergence happens over a few weeks. After they come out, the adult cicadas mate and lay their eggs. Then, they die.
The eggs hatch into tiny nymphs. These baby cicadas then burrow back into the ground. They will stay there for another 17 years. This long underground wait, along with so many cicadas coming out at once, helps them survive. Even if many are eaten by birds or other animals, enough survive to keep the brood going.
Brood IX cicadas were underground since 2003. They made their big appearance in the spring of 2020. Don't worry, Brood IX will not emerge at the same time as Brood X (another large group of cicadas) in 2021.
Where Do Cicada Broods Live?
