Get ready for an extraordinary natural spectacle in 2024! This spring, two different broods of cicadas will emerge simultaneously, creating a rare and synchronized event that hasn’t happened since 1803. Billions of these winged insects will make their appearance across the Midwest and the Southeast, captivating and at times annoying observers with their mesmerizing mating ritual.
The convergence of two different broods is a once-in-a-lifetime event. While it’s possible for a 13-year brood and a 17-year brood to occasionally emerge together, the specific pairing of cycles only occurs once every 221 years. The two broods at the center of this remarkable phenomenon, known as Brood XIII and Brood XIX, happen to have adjacent habitats with a narrow overlap in central Illinois. The last time these broods emerged together, Thomas Jefferson was president!
These periodical cicadas are unique insects that spend most of their lives underground, feeding on tree roots. After either 13 or 17 years, depending on the brood, they tunnel to the surface to reach maturity and engage in a month-long, noisy search for a mate. The cicadas typically emerge in the spring when the soil reaches a temperature of around 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
The blue map dots denote Brood XIII cicadas, and the red dots represent areas where Brood XIX has emerged in the past. These areas are likely to have periodical cicadas in 2024. (Image source: Cicada Safari)
Brood XIII cicadas predominantly appear in the Midwest, centered in Illinois but stretching into Wisconsin, Ohio, and Iowa. Brood XIX cicadas have been spotted over a much larger area, including Missouri, Illinois, Louisiana, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland.
When these insects emerge, they do so in massive numbers, creating quite a ruckus with their high-pitched buzzing or mating song, which can reach up to 100 decibels—roughly equivalent to the noise of a motorcycle or a jackhammer. Although harmless to humans, the sheer quantity of cicadas can result in a few noisy weeks and leave a carpet of insect carcasses behind.
This fascinating spectacle attracts some people while repelling others. In fact, some individuals are so intrigued that they plan vacations to witness the event, while others prefer to escape the swarm. Regardless, it’s an experience like no other.
In late April, the cicadas of Brood XIX will begin to emerge from underground in parts of the Southeast. As temperatures warm throughout the Southeast and Midwest, more cicadas will surface from May to June. Once above ground, they shed their nymph exoskeletons, unfurl their wings, and undergo the final stages of development. The entire mating process lasts about six weeks, giving these insects a narrow window to find a mate, lay eggs, and complete their life cycle. By July 1st, they will disappear, leaving behind memories and, of course, coffee meetups and pie conversations among enthusiastic observers.
This unique event isn’t just a source of curiosity but an opportunity for scientific research. Scientists are eager to track the cicadas’ range and gather data on their adaptations and changes between cycles. During this dual emergence, they are particularly interested in whether cross-breeding will occur between these two distinct broods.
So mark your calendars for 2024 and prepare to be amazed by this rare natural phenomenon. And if you happen to come across these incredible insects, don’t forget to report your sightings on the Cicada Safari app. Let’s embrace the wonder of nature together!