What many have called the “cicada apocalypse” or “double cicada outbreak” of 2024 in the United States will have North Carolina on the map as one of the states that will see this periodic event in which millions of these insects emerge from the soil.
It is expected that in this spring and summer billions of cicadas will emerge, in an event described as a “once in a lifetime” event that will see the explosion of cicadas from two different generations.
Double brood of cicadas 2024 in United States
This phenomenon is also known as the double brood of cicadas. One generation lives in a 13-year cycle and the other in a 17-year cycle, but this year they will emerge from the ground at the same time.
This co-emergence of two generations of cicadas like the one in 2024, has not occurred in the United States since 1803, meaning that It only happens every 221 years . Furthermore, it will not be repeated until the year 2245.
Experts from the University of Connecticut, They have a dedicated page to this emergence of cicadas.
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What types of cicadas will emerge
There are two types of cicadas: annual and periodic. Annuals, as their name suggests, come to the surface every year. Periodicals take between 13 and 17 years, depending on their type.
The double brood of cicadas that will emerge in 2024 are known as Brood XIII and Brood XIX , (breed 13 and breed 19).
The moment they will come out is when the earth's temperature reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
The double brood of cicadas can be seen in at least 21 states in the United States, including North and South Carolina.
The breeding XIII arises every 17 years. The states where it will be seen are: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin.
When? They are expected to emerge from mid-May to June.
The breeding XIX arises every 13 years. The states where it will be seen are: Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, Tennessee and Virginia.
When? It will emerge from the end of April until the second week of May.
How to tell them apart
It is easy to distinguish annual cicadas from periodic cicadas. The annual ones usually come out later than the periodic ones. For example, annual cicadas of the genus “Neotibicen” tend to appear in August, while periodical cicadas do so in spring.
Although there are numerous species of annual cicadas, many of them are large and greenish. Periodical cicadas are smaller and mostly black, with bright red eyes and orange-tinged wings and legs.
A big hum cicada
Although this large group of insects is harmless, male cicadas can reach decibels similar to that of a lawn mower or jet plane.
The sound of cicadas is the main sign that they are off land. This hum will be heard for approximately six weeks.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) says these insects can create sounds that often reach 90 to 100 decibels, which is louder than a hair dryer.
To give you an idea, a subway train or a shouted conversation is usually between 90 and 95 decibels and a motorized lawnmower is 80 to 89 decibels.
Experts suggest some ways to deal with the noise of these insects: using sound-canceling headphones or relaxing sound machines.
They live a short time
Although there will be millions, their life cycle is short, only four to six weeks. Then the adults die, but leave behind a new generation. These will live underground until 2038.
Once the insects come to the surface, they quickly begin to mate, which is often the noise associated with cicadas.
They are not a threat to humans
These insects do not pose a threat to humans or animals. pets, cicadas do not bite or sting, nor are they poisonous, and pesticides do not work on periodic cicadas, according to experts.
Benefits of cicadas
- Cicadas are a valuable food source for birds and other predators.
- Cicadas can aerate lawns and improve water filtration into the soil.
- Cicadas add nutrients to the soil as they decompose.
How to protect young trees
Although cicadas do not pose a threat, newly planted trees and shrubs may experience some impact.
After mating, females lay their eggs on the new shoots of woody plants and prefer branches the width of a pencil, NIFA indicates.
Because these insects spend most of their lives underground, they feed on tree roots.
To protect young trees, they can be covered with mesh or netting with openings of ¼ inch or smaller. This will protect against damage that could occur when cicadas lay their eggs on small tree branches. These insects cannot harm larger, more established trees.
To learn more about cicadas in North Carolina and the rest of the United States, Visit the University of Connecticut's dedicated page
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