According to The New York Times report on April 4th, it is anticipated that by the end of April, two broods of periodic cicadas will emerge across 16 states in the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States, with numbers possibly reaching up to a trillion, marking an exceedingly rare event not seen for centuries.
These cicadas differ from the smaller annual cicadas that appear each year. Forested areas, including urban green spaces, are expected to witness a higher concentration of cicadas compared to agricultural regions. Floyd W. Shockley, an entomologist at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, mentioned, "A trillion cicadas, each measuring a little over an inch, if lined up end to end, could cover 15.8 million miles. To put it differently, this cicada convoy could make 33 round trips to the moon."
Cicadas
Image Source: Getty Images
When do cicadas arrive? The first batch of cicadas is expected to emerge in late April. According to retired biology professor Gene Kritsky from St. Joseph's University, their appearance is dictated by temperature. "First, the soil needs to reach 17.8°C, about 6 inches deep, and then the next heavy rain, that's when they really burst out."
They emerge from the ground using their front legs, their ruby-red eyes scanning for a suitable spot to mature steadily. A few days after their emergence and molting, the males start their buzzing calls, endeavoring to find mates. It's a slow crescendo of noise, akin to a chorus, possibly louder than an airplane.
Kritsky notes that the first wave of cicadas will emerge in northern Louisiana, southern Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, northern Georgia, and western South Carolina.
Then, they will appear in central North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and northern Arkansas, followed by southern Missouri, southern Illinois, and western Kentucky. Finally, cicadas will emerge in central and northern Missouri, Illinois, northwestern Indiana, southern Wisconsin, and eastern Iowa.
These cicadas will breed for six weeks in the Midwest and Southeast.
Cicadas do not bite or sting, nor do they carry any diseases. Due to their limited flying ability, they are often seen on city streets. However, experts believe these insects are beneficial to the environment, serving as natural tree caretakers. The holes they leave behind when emerging from the ground help aerate the soil, allowing rainwater to seep in and nourish tree roots during hot summers. When cicadas die, their decomposing bodies also provide essential nutrients for trees.
John R. Cooley, a biology professor at the University of Connecticut, advises people living in these areas to let nature take its course. "The forest is their home, and they are part of the forest. Don't kill them. Don't try to spray insecticides or anything like that, as it will only lead to a bad outcome because the harm from insecticides is too great," Cooley says.
