Rare co-emergence of massive cicada hordes expected this spring

Scientists are buzzing with excitement at the sight and sound of trillions of cicadas surfacing across much of America. This massive invasion involves two separate groups, known as broods, emerging simultaneously.

After a span of over 200 years, two broods, namely Brood XIX (also referred to as the “Great Southern Brood”) and Brood XIII (known as the “Northern Illinois Brood”), will emerge from beneath the surface at the same time.

According to experts, certain regions, particularly in America’s heartland, will be hit with a double whammy of cicada activity, although there is not a significant overlap between the two broods.

According to Evan Lampert, a professor in the Department of Biology at the University of North Georgia, cicadas will be a common sight in suburban areas. They will be found on trees, plants, and even flying in the air. The ground will be covered with their nymphs and exoskeletons.

According to Tamra Reall, an entomologist at the University of Missouri, observing the insects emerge from the ground to reproduce and lay their eggs before retreating back into the earth will be a truly remarkable experience.

“It’s truly enchanting, and that’s precisely why they’re called magicicada,” she explained. “Their genus name, magicicada, is a testament to the extraordinary and almost mystical nature of their existence.”

The upcoming total solar eclipse on Monday will further amplify the excitement surrounding this experience. Having both events occur in such close proximity will provide the public with a unique opportunity to witness science and nature working together in action.

Get ready for an incredible event this year – the historic cicada emergence! Brace yourself for what’s coming and prepare to witness an extraordinary natural phenomenon.

A once-in-a-lifetime cicada emergence

According to entomologists, residents in regions that regularly experience cicada emergences may not immediately understand the significance of this year’s event because some broods of cicadas emerge every year.

According to David Althoff, a professor at Syracuse University’s Department of Biology, the mass emergence of cicadas from beneath the ground will be quite different from the usual yearly occurrences. Residents in several states, including Maryland, Oklahoma, Illinois, Alabama, and Georgia, can anticipate the presence of cicadas from these periodical broods. The information comes from the University of Connecticut’s Periodical Cicada Information Pages.

Brood XIX, which has the largest geographic extent among all periodical broods, emerges every 13 years, while Brood XIII emerges every 17 years. The last time these two broods emerged together was in 1803, during the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. According to forecasts, they are not expected to co-emerge again for another 221 years, around 2245.

According to Keith Clay, a professor at Tulane University’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, it is uncommon for multiple periodical broods to emerge simultaneously in different parts of the country. The occurrence of two large broods appearing adjacent to each other is particularly rare.

Clay compared the situation to Halley’s Comet, dismissing it as a mere statistical anomaly.

Central Illinois is expected to witness a rare phenomenon known as the double brood emergence, according to entomologists. Among the regions where this is likely to occur, the area near Springfield is predicted to have the highest chance of contact between the two broods.

Catherine Dana, an entomologist at the Illinois Natural History Survey, expressed her anticipation for this event after years of anticipation.

When are the cicadas expected to emerge?

In mid-April, residents will start noticing holes emerging in their yards as the nymphs approach the surface.

According to entomologists, cicadas are anticipated to emerge from the ground later this month, as reported by ABC News.

According to Althoff, people can expect to hear the slow buildup continue into May, as the adults begin to surface in synchronicity.

“When they arrive, they do so rapidly,” Lampert stated.

Cicadas, according to the researchers, spend most of their lives underground, nourishing themselves on the roots of trees. As a result, when they emerge, they tend to gather in tree-filled areas.

After a few weeks of the distinct sound of male cicadas calling, the adult cicadas will descend to the ground while the nymphs retreat back into the soil.

Why cicadas emerge in mass numbers

The cyclical emergence of the periodical cicadas is considered a survival mechanism by scientists. This species lacks defenses and has a high mortality rate.

They resurface after long intervals, appearing in large numbers. This strategy increases their chances of survival despite being vulnerable to predators. It guarantees the continuation of their species, as they reproduce and establish a new generation before going back underground for another 13 or 17 years.

Birds, mice, and squirrels consume cicadas during the feeding frenzy, which can sometimes cause them to become overwhelmed. Additionally, ants and wasps are known to feed on cicadas.

According to entomologists, trillions of cicadas are expected to emerge above ground by late May during their periodical breeding time of four to six weeks.

Dana expressed her awe at this natural wonder of the world, emphasizing that there is no other organism in North America that possesses such an immense amount of biomass.

According to Althoff, the surfacing events happening periodically may serve as a mechanism to avoid interbreeding between different species.

Why cicadas are so loud

During their time above ground, cicada populations are a constant source of sound that can be heard everywhere.

In many areas during the summer, the buzzing symphony of flying insects fills the air. The males emit a high-pitched call that can be likened to a combination of rattling and the buzzing of bees, according to Althoff.

According to John Cooley, an entomologist at the University of Connecticut, the collective concert of these periodical cicadas is actually a symphony of mating calls. The cacophony of sizzling noise, buzz-click sounds, and droning, produced by the cicadas rising next to one another, can reach up to 120 decibels if you’re right inside that chorus. Cooley compares this to getting too close to a jet engine, emphasizing the deafening nature of the cicada chorus.

According to Clay, male cicadas have a unique structure called a tymbal located under their forelegs. This specialized structure resembles a washboard and is played by the cicadas using their legs.

How temperatures affect cicada emergence events

According to Lampert, entomologists typically rely on a general guideline to predict the emergence of cicadas. This guideline states that cicadas will begin to surface when the topsoil temperature in a particular region reaches approximately 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

According to Lampert, the first cicada sightings will occur in the southernmost states where the temperatures are the warmest.

Experts also mentioned that there is a possibility for cicadas to emerge earlier in the season due to rising global temperatures. However, this is something that is yet to be confirmed.

According to Clay, the volume of cicada calls is influenced by atmospheric temperatures. When it’s warmer outside, the cicadas become more vocal.

According to him, once the temperature drops below 75 degrees, the sound level of the adult male cicadas singing noticeably decreases.

Can you eat the cicadas?

Experts say that the sudden and widespread appearance of cicadas presents sustainable food options.

Cicadas, like many other bugs, are a rich source of protein. According to Dana, they serve as a food source for a wide variety of creatures, including fish, snakes, small mammals, large mammals, and birds. She believes that this event could potentially help compensate for the declining wildlife populations we have witnessed.

According to Reall, humans can also indulge in this bug feast as insects are indeed edible.

According to Clay, there are always some adventurous individuals who come together for a unique cicada potluck. During these gatherings, cicadas are incorporated into various dishes such as soups, bread, and brownies. Clay describes the taste of cicadas as similar to asparagus.

The University of Maryland published an online cookbook in 2021 titled “Cicada-licious,” which features menus for cicada dishes and cocktails that coincide with the emergence of periodical cicadas.

During a previous mass emergence a few years back, Sparky’s Ice Cream in Columbia, Missouri took advantage of the event by offering a unique treat – cicada ice cream. The insects were boiled and candied before being transformed into a cold creation reminiscent of a butter pecan flavor, according to manager Tony Layson.

Insectivores who are intrigued by the idea of trying cicadas should exercise caution when choosing where to gather their meal. It is important to avoid cicadas that have been collected from areas where insecticides or other chemicals have been used. Furthermore, it is recommended to cook the cicadas thoroughly before consuming them. As Dana advises, it is best to eat them while they are still soft and squishy, before their exoskeleton hardens.

What humans need to know about dealing with cicadas

According to Althoff, individuals with an aversion to bugs will find it impossible to avoid encountering cicadas.

“They’ll definitely catch your eye,” he remarked confidently. “There’s absolutely no doubt that they will grab your attention.”

Cicadas are harmless creatures that do not possess any poisonous or venomous qualities. They do not bite or sting. Althoff, an expert at Syracuse, advises his students to stay calm during cicada events and be mindful of their surroundings.

According to Althoff, mosquitoes do not pose a significant threat to humans in terms of physical harm. While they may be annoying, people should not be afraid of getting bitten.

According to Lampert, people may notice dead branches on trees as a result of the cicadas feeding on the sap.

According to experts, any damage cicadas may cause to plants at the surface is only temporary and is outweighed by the benefits they provide.

When cicadas emerge from the ground, they become a source of nourishment for various other species. As they perish and descend to the ground, their decomposition releases essential nutrients back into the soil.

Lampert suggests that individuals brace themselves for the “overwhelming sound” that accompanies a cicada emergence, particularly if they have never encountered it before.

How to help cicada researchers

In their quest to study these periodical cicada broods, researchers will heavily rely on citizen science.

Lampert recommended two scientific organizations, Cicada Safari and iNaturalist, where people can submit their photographs and sightings of the cicadas.

According to Althoff, the event will serve as a valuable reminder to individuals regarding the diverse range of insects that exist, particularly given that cicadas are not always readily visible.

According to the expert, insects are often perceived as bothersome and unwanted creatures that we tend to dismiss or avoid. However, he emphasizes that witnessing a large number of insects that have been concealed beneath the ground and suddenly emerge is truly remarkable.