CHICAGO – With warmer temperatures in and around Chicago this weekend, you may be wondering how long it will be before “Cicada-geddon” happens.
Despite spring weather conditions, the main factor favoring the appearance of cicadas is soil temperature.
Typically, cicadas wait until the ground eight inches below reaches 64 degrees before emerging. The ground is currently around 47 degrees.
We still have a bit of a wait, as the soils probably won’t reach 64 degrees until late May or early June.
And they will probably stay until the end of June, according to Cicada Mania.
What broods of cicadas will Chicago see?
The two broods that will emerge simultaneously in 2024 are Brood XIX (13-year-old cicadas) and Brood XIII (17-year-old cicadas). A U.S. Forest Service map shows where both are typically found, marked in brown and light blue. (Credit: United States Forest Service)
The double emergence of cicadas this summer is a rare phenomenon.
It is estimated that 50,000 to 1.5 million cicadas per acre will emerge after spending several years underground.
Two broods of cicadas are expected – Brood XIII and Brood XIX. The last time these cicada broods were observed at the same time was in 1803, according to a previous report.
Swarms are expected to invade backyards in Illinois and several other states.
There are more than 190 known varieties of cicadas in North America and most species emerge each year. However, some periodic broods of cicadas typically stay underground for 13 or 17 years.
RELATED: Map: here is where double broods of cicadas will emerge in 2024
Can cicadas bite or sting?
There is good news and bad news here. Cicadas do not bite or sting; however, they can pierce and suck.
If they try to get you, it’s not because they are malicious or angry; instead, they may simply mistake you for a tree, which is usually where they get their nutrients, according to Cicada Mania.
If a cicada lands on you, just try to brush it off and go about your business. Do not try to hold them in a closed fist, as this could injure them.
Read more about our cicada coverage below:
yahoo
