Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) declared May and June “Magicicada Months” to honor the cicadas that take over the region every 17 years.
In his formal declaration issued Friday, the governor explained the interest and importance of the insects while reminding citizens that they are harmless.
“Periodical cicadas—Magiciada spp.—in Brood X are making their long-awaited, but brief adult reappearance in Maryland after 17 years living underground as root-feeding nymphs,” Hogan wrote.
Cicadas have multiple purposes from being food for other animals and fungi to pruning weak branches on a tree, according to the website Cicada Mania.
“The great popular and scientific interest in periodical cicadas remind us every 17 years of the need to protect the environment, as they are inseparably tied to the health of Maryland’s landscape and forest,” Hogan’s declaration states.
The governor also pointed out that the bugs have the same colors as Maryland’s state flag.
“Periodical cicadas proudly display the official colors of the Free State, with their beautiful yellow-orange wings, black bodies, and stunning red eyes.”
The reappearance of this bug also provides a “harmless, short diversion from the more serious aspects of modern life,” the governor noted.
The cicadas should be coming up from the ground soon and be around for the next two months. Then they will die or retreat to the ground for another 17 years.