Dr. Gene Kritsky is encouraging citizen scientists nationwide to join the free mobile Cicada Safari App to help researchers document this historical emergence.
CINCINNATI, Ohio — With billions of cicadas preparing to emerge across the eastern United States, Dr. Gene Kritsky of Mount St. Joseph University is urging citizen scientists to download its free Cicada Safari app and help researchers document this year’s historic emergence.
Developed by cicada expert, Dr. Kritsky, the Cicada Safari app collected more than 560,000 photos during the last major cicada event in 2021. This data provided unprecedented accuracy in mapping cicada broods and their emergence patterns.
“We are already seeing significant activity in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia, with a major emergence predicted to hit Cincinnati and surrounding areas around May 12,” said Dr. Kritsky. “We rely on the public’s help to gather real-time, verifiable data that advances our understanding of cicadas and environmental changes.”
The app allows users to photograph cicadas, automatically tagging submissions with precise location data. Researchers then verify the species and track their distribution, which is critical information that helps monitor the impact of urbanization, deforestation, and climate shifts over time.
Dr. Kritsky’s emergence model, which has a 90% accuracy rate, is based on April’s average daily temperatures and has reliably predicted cicada appearances in previous cycles, including in Chicago.
“Citizens play an essential role in helping us gather this data, especially as new media attention renews interest in cicadas,” Kritsky said. Recent national coverage, including in USA Today and Time Magazine, has brought renewed focus to the phenomenon, making this the perfect moment to get involved.
The Cicada Safari app is free to download on iOS and Android devices. For more information or to start tracking cicadas near you, visit www.cicadasafari.org.
Check out Dr. Kritsky's feature in TIME Magazine, Among Other Media!
- TIME Magazine: After 17 Years Underground, the Cicada Brood XIV Is Coming
- USA Today: Cicada map 2025: Here's where Brood XIV has already been spotted
- Smithsonian Magazine: Watch for Cicadas: Billions From Brood XIV Will Soon Emerge After 17 Years Underground
About the Mount
As a Catholic institution rooted in the values of the Sisters of Charity, Mount St. Joseph University excels at serving the common good. Undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students at the Mount are inspired to think beyond the classroom and redraw the bounds of what’s possible for their futures. This is accomplished through individualized educational experiences, a safe, secure campus environment, and an all-in commitment from faculty and staff to inspire students to reach their highest potential. The Mount fosters life-long learners who serve, care, and contribute to the world beyond their front doors.
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