Cicada Invasion: A Brief Overview of the Invertebrates Taking the United States by Storm

Cicada broods have seemingly taken over the United States’ Southeast and Midwest states. How many of these pesky invertebrates have taken over 17 states? Trillions. 

Brood XIII and Brood XIX have co-emerged in 2024, after spending approximately 13-17 years underground. This is the first time the broods have co-emerged since 1803. The last cicada emergence took place in 2021, which consisted of Brood X cicadas. 

Evidence suggests that climate change has and will continue to throw off the cicadas’ schedule. Soil temperatures rising earlier in the season causes the brood’s untimely appearance. 

This year's cicada invasion is expected to end by mid-June to July. And those who are not fond of the chirping cicadas likely won’t have to suffer the co-emergence again – it only comes every 221 years.