GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — This spring something historic is expected to happen in the world of insects! Two broods of cicada's will emerge together, simultaneously in the United States for the first time since 1803!
Cicadas are known for their loud buzzing during the summer months. There are 3,000 known species of the bug. Some emerge every year, but others like “Brood 13” appear every 17 years, and “Brood 19” comes out every 13 years. They’re known as periodical cicadas.
This year both are expected to hatch at the same time across much of the Midwest, parts of the South and the Northeast.
Howard Russell is a retired entomologist from Michigan State University. He said something like this is rare, “They only occur in the eastern United States. So, when they do appear there, they can be pretty dramatic.”
Russell said when they do come out, female cicadas lay hundreds of eggs in tiny holes in tree branches and shrubs. After about six weeks, young cicadas called nymphs hatch and fall to the ground. They then burrow under the soil and attach to tree roots. “Once they emerge from the ground, you'll see the holes in the ground,” Russell said. “But the biggest thing is, you can hear the males. They are so loud. It’s just unbelievable how loud they can be.”
Russell said scientists don’t know why some cicadas hatch every year while others stay underground. But he adds when they do, there could be as many as 200,000 to 1-million insects emerging per acre.
If you’re not a fan of insects though, Russell said you don’t need to worry, “Unfortunately, I don't think anybody in Michigan is going to see either brood. The last time “brood 13” was surveyed, they didn't find any, at least from what I understand, none were found.”
If you would like to experience the anthropological phenomenon, Russell said you will have to travel to Illinois or south of Indianapolis in Indiana.
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