Billions of Cicadas Set to Emerge in Midwest in 2024

Trillions of Periodical Cicadas Expected to Surface This Spring

Trillions of periodical cicadas are preparing to emerge from the ground this spring, bringing with them their deafening buzz. The last time these two broods emerged together was in 1987. This year, the emergence of Brood XIII and Brood XIX at the same time will create an unprecedented cicada spectacle.

A Once-in-a-Generation Event

Cicadas are ground-dwelling insects that spend most of their lives underground, feeding on the roots of trees. Every 13 or 17 years, they emerge en masse to mate and lay eggs. This year, Brood XIII and Brood XIX, which have been developing for 17 years, will emerge simultaneously.

Impact on the Midwest

Over a dozen states in the Midwest will be affected by the cicada emergence, including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The cicadas will be most noticeable in wooded areas, but they may also be found in parks, yards, and even inside homes.