In Newberry County, South Carolina, the emergence of periodical cicadas has created an unusual situation, with residents repeatedly calling the sheriff’s office to report what they believe are sirens or loud roars. The source of these noises, however, is none other than the male cicadas, which are currently engaged in a chorus of mating calls after spending over a decade underground.
The influx of calls to the sheriff’s office has prompted a response from Sheriff Lee Foster, who took to Facebook to inform the public about the natural phenomenon. According to Foster, some individuals have even flagged down deputies to inquire about the origins of the noise.
This year, trillions of red-eyed periodical cicadas have emerged from underground across the eastern United States, including Newberry County. These insects, known for their long dormancy periods of either 13 or 17 years, have synchronized their emergence, resulting in vast broods.
The collective songs of these cicadas can reach deafening levels, comparable to the roar of jet engines. Scientists studying these insects often don earmuffs to protect their hearing, a precaution that Sheriff Foster now understands the necessity of.
Despite the annoyance that the cicadas’ noise may cause, Foster emphasizes that they are harmless to both humans and pets. The resurgence of these insects, referred to as Brood XIX, marks the onset of their 13-year cycle. This particular brood is the largest in the nation geographically and is currently making its way through the southeastern United States, leaving countless boreholes in the ground.
Climate change is contributing to the earlier emergence of cicadas, as the ground is warming to the optimal temperature of 64 degrees sooner than in the past. Initially brown in color, the cicadas gradually darken as they mature. Following the appearance of cicadas in Georgia and the Southeast, another brood, Brood XIII, will emerge in Illinois after a 17-year dormancy period.