What you’re seeing in Nazareth, Kentucky, is the emergence of Brood XIV of 17-year periodical cicadas, also known as the “Bourbon Brood.” These insects have spent the last 17 years underground as nymphs, feeding on fluids from tree roots. Now that the soil has warmed to the mid-60s Fahrenheit, they are surfacing in large numbers to complete their life cycle.
The cicadas crawl toward trees and other vertical surfaces to begin the process of molting. They shed their exoskeletons and emerge as winged adults, ready to mate. This is a natural and brief phase in their development and not a sign of harm or distress.
The cicadas do not bite or sting and are harmless to people and animals. Their presence may seem overwhelming, but it is part of a natural cycle that only happens once every 17 years. After a few weeks of activity, the adult cicadas will disappear. Their newly hatched young will burrow into the ground, beginning the cycle again, set to return in 2042.
This mass emergence is a rare and fascinating event, offering a unique look at one of nature’s most synchronized life cycles.