Results for: Brood XIII

An unprecedented entomological event is unfolding in the Midwest and Southeast of the United States, as two broods of cicadas have simultaneously emerged for the first time in 221 years. This extraordinary occurrence, dubbed ‘cicada-geddon,’ has resulted in a staggering number of these insects rising from the ground, estimated to be in the billions or even trillions.

Comprising Brood XIII and Brood XIX, these cicadas follow 17- and 13-year cycles, respectively, making their co-emergence an extremely rare phenomenon. Dr. Gene Kritsky, founder of the Cicada Safari and a professor at the University of Connecticut, explains that such an alignment occurs only once every 221 years due to the prime nature of the cycles.

Beginning in April, the first cicadas of this dual emergence appeared, and the event is now in full swing. These juvenile insects, known as nymphs, hatch from the ground and undergo a remarkable transformation into adults, shedding their exoskeletons and ascending into trees to mate. Male cicadas produce a distinctive shrieking sound to attract females, who respond with a clicking call. After mating, the females lay their eggs, marking the completion of their life cycle.

As billions of cicadas emerge from underground after years of dormancy, residents in South Carolina have reported hearing loud ‘siren’ sounds. The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the noise is caused by male cicadas singing to attract mates. These red-eyed periodical cicadas, known as Brood X and Brood XIII, have not converged in centuries and are emerging in unprecedented numbers. While the noise may be annoying, cicadas pose no danger to humans or pets. This double dose of cicadas is a rare phenomenon that has not been seen for centuries and is estimated to involve trillions of insects across 16 states.

In the spring of 2024, a once-in-a-lifetime natural spectacle is set to unfold in the eastern United States. Two broods of periodical cicadas, Brood XIII (17-year cicadas) and Brood XIX (13-year cicadas), will co-emerge, creating a chorus of buzzing and chirping that will reverberate through wooded and suburban areas from Maryland to Iowa and southward. This remarkable event, only occurring once every 221 years, offers a fascinating glimpse into the life cycle and behavior of these unique insects.