The United States is gearing up for the largest cicada invasion in 200 years. Several species of cicadas that have been buried for decades are all coming to the end of their cycle at the same time, leading to an exceptional invasion expected in about a month or two.
Every year, millions of cicadas swarm the eastern and southern United States, in cities like Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta, and sometimes New York. However, in 2024, the University of Colorado announces that tens of billions of cicadas will emerge from the ground between May and June. While some cicadas emerge from the ground every summer, this is not the case for other species, with their eggs remaining buried for years before the insects emerge.
Two subspeciessubspecies will complete their cycles, of 13 and 17 years respectively, at the same time this year. These periodical cicadas will surface very noisily, singing, once the soil temperature reaches 17 to 18 °C, which is why not all US states will be affected at the same time. Once above ground, these cicadas will only live for a few weeks with the sole purpose of reproducing.
A Completely Harmless Invasion
The last time such an invasion occurred in the United States was in 1803. 15 states were affected: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North and South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Cicadas are not afraid of humans and might crawl into clothing or land in hair. The University of Colorado emphasizes that there is no need to worry, as this natural invasion is harmless both to humans and crops. On the contrary, it will bring joy to birds and rodentsrodents that feed on them. The cicada carcasses that are not consumed will fall to the ground, acting as excellent fertilizer for plants.