A deafening chorus of trillions of periodical cicadas will herald their arrival this spring as they emerge from underground in a phenomenon not seen in generations. Both the 13-year and 17-year cicadas are expected to surface in the United States in mid-May, with these distinct groups converging for the first time since 1803, an event dubbed “cicada-geddon.”
Periodical cicadas spend most of their lives concealed beneath the soil. The imminent emergence of both Brood XIX (13-year cicadas) and Brood XIII (17-year cicadas) will occur once the ground temperature reaches 64 degrees. The southeastern states, including Georgia, will welcome the 13-year brood, while the 17-year counterparts will appear in Illinois. Their life cycles will synchronize once more in 2037, with the most significant cicada event slated for 2076 when the two largest broods emerge together, a spectacle described by leading cicada expert John Cooley as “cicada-palooza.”
Experts predict that hundreds of trillions, possibly even quadrillions, of cicadas will blanket the landscape, averaging 1 million per acre over millions of acres. However, some members of the broods have succumbed to a sexually transmitted fungal infection known as Massospora cicadina. This disease transforms cicadas into hypersexual “zombies,” their bodies erupting with a white substance as their genitals fall off. Further research into the specific implications of the fungus for other wildlife, humans, and the environment has yet to be determined.
Cicada-watchers in Illinois and Iowa can expect a front-row seat to the dual-brood emergence. Swarm sightings are also anticipated throughout Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. A map created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides a comprehensive guide to the emergence of both 13- and 17-year cicada broods from 2013 to 2029.
As the ear-splitting drone of countless cicadas and the sight of their molted exoskeletons fill the air, this unparalleled and extraordinary event serves as a reminder of the power and complexity of the natural world. The timing of the “cicada-geddon” provides the perfect opportunity for Americans across multiple states to witness the awe-inspiring mass emergence of these fascinating insects. With the knowledge that such a convergence has not occurred in over two centuries, many will be drawn to observe and partake in the unique, once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.
