The Cicadas Are Coming, Illinois Braces for a Rare Dual Emergence

Illinois is getting ready for another amazing natural spectacle following the solar eclipse. In 2024, the state will see an unusual event where two different groups of cicadas, the 13year ones (Brood XIX) and 17year ones (Brood XIII), will come out at the same time. This rare meeting will result in billions of these loud critters popping up all over, grabbing the attention of both scientists and locals.

Understanding the Emergence

Cicadas have a unique sound and spend much of their lives underground before coming up to find mates and then pass away. Residents in northern Illinois will mostly see Brood XIII, while those in southern parts can expect Brood XIX. Some places will have both.

What to Expect Them,

Timing, Cicadas usually show up around the second half of May or in June. They start to come out when the soil about 8 inches down gets to be 64 degrees Fahrenheit, often right after it rains.

Locations, you’ll see a lot of Brood XIII throughout Northern Illinois, and they might pop up in some areas of Indiana, Wisconsin, and Ohio too. Brood XIX is known for showing up over a wide area. They’ll be found in Southern Illinois and go all the way down to Georgia.

Climate Change and Cicada Behavior

Cicadas might come out earlier if it gets warm sooner because of climate change. We saw something like this in 2017 when Brood X made an unexpected early appearance in Washington D.C. So that makes people think that what used to be their normal schedule could be changing because of changes in the weather.

The Role of Cicadas in the Ecosystem

Cicadas are important for their ecosystems. After they come out of the ground, cicadas become an important food for wildlife. Birds, squirrels, and pets such as dogs eat them. This eating frenzy helps to keep the cicada numbers in check and makes sure enough of them survive to continue their species.

Environmental Impact,

Cicadas live under the earth sucking on root sap for many years before they come out, which makes the soil better.

When they come out all at once and then die, they leave behind lots of nutrients in the soil that help plants grow.

What to Expect in Your Neighborhood

If lots of cicadas showed up in your area last time, you’ll probably see a lot again this year. But if there’s been a lot of building or digging around where you live, there might not be as many cicadas this time around.

Experts warn not to use pesticides to try to get rid of cicadas. These chemicals usually don’t work and can hurt other animals.

Enjoying the Phenomenon, people should see the arrival of cicadas as an interesting but short-lived part of nature. Cicadas are safe for people and give us a chance to watch something in biology that doesn’t happen often.

Preparations and Precautions

The thought of billions of bugs might be overwhelming, but cicadas are not a threat. They won’t bite or sting you, and they don’t want to come inside your house. When they come out, it helps the environment in important ways.

Local Responses

In Chicago, local leaders have let everyone know when to expect the cicadas and ensured that even though they’re loud, they won’t be around long.