Delaware

When do cicadas emerge? And, more importantly, are there cicadas in Delaware?

Published

2 years ago

May 4, 2024

When do cicadas emerge? And, more importantly, are there cicadas in Delaware?

Worried about swarms of loud bugs interrupting the rest of your spring? In over a dozen states, that will soon be a fear that comes to pass, as trillions of cicadas are preparing to emerge from the ground.

Luckily, the First State is safe from the massive double-swarm that promises plenty of buzzing for Americans across the Midwest and Southeast.

What is a cicada?

Most people recognize cicadas by their distinct sound and tendency to come out in droves that follow specific patterns. Some of these insects emerge every year, while others only emerge every 13 or 17 years, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Cicadas typically come out in the spring when the ground begins to warm up, and tend to stay out through late June. They have one goal—and no, it’s not to give people headaches and leave their carcasses lying everywhere.

Male cicadas produce “calling songs” to attract females to mate, according to the University of Connecticut’s Biodiversity Research Collections. These females then lay as many as 600 eggs in nests they make inside of living twigs. Once the eggs hatch six to 10 weeks later, they will drop from the trees, burrow underground and remain there to develop until the cycle begins again.

For annual cicadas, this happens every year, University of Connecticut research shows. But for periodical cicadas like the upcoming swarms, these emergences occur far less frequently.

What’s so special about this year’s swarms?

This spring will mark the first time since 2015 that a 13-year brood will emerge at the same time as a 17-year brood, according to the University of Connecticut. It will also be the first time that two specific broods—known as Brood XIX and Brood XIII—have co-emerged since 1803.

Despite this, experts say it’s unlikely that the broods will overlap in location. The 13-year Brood XIX will be spread across the Southeast and Midwest, while the 17-year Brood XIII will be more concentrated in the upper Midwest.

Cicada brood map

University of Connecticut research shows that the likeliest point of contact between the broods is in Springfield, Illinois. And while there are chances that the broods may co-occur in small patches of woods in Illinois, research shows the broods will not overlap “to any significant extent.”

Does Delaware have any cicadas?

Yes, Delaware has cicadas. Fortunately, they won’t be bothering you this season.

Cicada map 2024: Latest on Broods XIII and XIX as sightings are reported across the South

According to a cicada brood map from the United States Forest Service, part of the Department of Agriculture, Delaware is known to see Brood X, a species of the 17-year periodical cicadas.

Brood X cicadas last swarmed the state in 2021, meaning they are not due for another First State appearance until 2038.

Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com. For more reporting, follow them on X at @h_edelman.

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Delaware

Elon Musk-Led Overhaul of Delaware Business Law Upheld by State Court

Published

6 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Elon Musk-Led Overhaul of Delaware Business Law Upheld by State Court

The Delaware Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of an Elon Musk-inspired overhaul of state law that governs most major US corporations, handing a win to company founders, insiders and private equity owners who sought less restrictive business rules.

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Delaware

Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas

Published

18 hours ago

February 27, 2026

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Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas

RADNOR, Pa. – Authorities say a Delaware County school employee is accused of traveling to Texas to sexually assault a minor he met online.

What we know:

Michael Robinson, 43, was taken into custody near Radnor Middle School where investigators say he worked as a paraprofessional.

Investigators believe Robinson traveled to Tyler, Texas in the summer of 2024 to meet a minor he had connected with online.

Robinson, according to U.S. Marshals, allegedly sexually assaulted the teen over the course of a weekend.

Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas

Prosecutors in Smith County, Texas charged Robinson in December with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Under 15-years-old.

Robinson is being held at a Delaware County jail where he is awaiting extradition to Texas.

What they’re saying:

U.S. Marshals in Pennsylvania said Robinson’s arrest shows that “sexual predators will always be pursued relentlessly.”

The Radnor Township School District said Robinson has been placed on leave and will not have contact with students.

“Parents of the limited number of children to whom the employee was assigned were contacted by the administration immediately.”

The district said it is cooperating with law enforcement and has “no information indicating misconduct involving district students.”

Crime & Public SafetyDelaware CountyNews

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Delaware

Rehoboth cancels 2026 Polar Bear Plunge after major snowstorm

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Rehoboth cancels 2026 Polar Bear Plunge after major snowstorm

Rehoboth Beach has canceled the upcoming 2026 Lewes Polar Bear Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge as the Sussex County resort town continues dealing with the aftermath of last weekend’s snowstorm, organizers of the annual Special Olympics fundraiser said on Feb. 26.

“Rehoboth Beach is navigating significant challenges because of the snowstorm,” a Special Olympics Delaware email announced. “At present, the boardwalk and all beach crossings remain snow covered and many sidewalks throughout downtown Rehoboth are as well.”

The plunge and 5K had been rescheduled to March 1 after severe weather conditions in late January caused it to be moved from its original Feb. 1 date.

The plunge will not be rescheduled for this year.

Last weekend’s storm brought nearly 2 feet of snow to parts of Sussex, closing hundreds of roads when trees and wires were downed. There were also power outages across the county, including Rehoboth Beach which had to restore power to its wastewater treatment facility.

Plunging for a cause

The polar bear plunge is one of Special Olympics Delaware’s more popular fundraisers, drawing more than 4,000 participants last year.

In recent years, the event has been bringing in more than a million dollars for Special Olympics Delaware. Last year, plunge events drew $1.3 million, just shy of the record-breaking $1.5 million raised in 2024.

Alex Seymore, Special Olympics Delaware’s director of digital media, said the organization had already raised more than $1 million from this year’s event.

“We expect a small impact,” Seymore told Delaware Online/The News Journal. “But again, we’re showing that we’ve raised over a million dollars.

He added they are reviewing how the cancelation will impact them and their services.

“It’s been just a couple hours, so we’re not completely positive how it will impact things in the long run,” he said. “We’re thankful for everybody that’s helped raise this money through this time.”

What is still occurring

While the plunge and 5k and been canceled this year, there are other indoor events that will continue as scheduled:

Feb. 27

4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – pick up packets and souvenir sales for the Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach.

Feb. 28

noon to 2 p.m. Fire & Ice in the Atlantic Sands Ballroom, 1 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach.
2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Restaurant chili contest.
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – pick up packets and souvenir sales for the Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

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