Chicago, Illinois – This spring and summer, residents in parts of the American Midwest are gearing up for a spectacular wildlife event: a rare double emergence of periodical cicadas. Trillions of these harmless insects will be making their appearance as Brood XIX and Brood XIII collide, singing their hearts out from Wisconsin to Louisiana, Maryland to Georgia, and many places in between.
The last time these broods overlapped was back in 1803, during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency and shortly after the completion of the Louisiana Purchase. Many of the states where the cicadas will emerge were not even part of the nation at that time.
This year’s phenomenon is of particular interest to researchers aiming to unlock the evolutionary mysteries of these insects that only emerge from the ground every 13 to 17 years.
Cicadas belong to the insect family Hemiptera and are known for their distinctive courtship calls. While adults are large, loud, and conspicuous, most of their life is spent underground as nymphs, feeding on the roots of trees and plants.
Broods do not necessarily represent distinct species, and each brood can contain multiple cicada species that emerge in different locations. In 2024, all seven cicada species will emerge, offering a unique opportunity for data collection that will not happen again until 2037.
One of the intriguing mysteries that scientists hope to investigate involves a parasitic fungus that infects adult cicadas, altering their behavior and turning them into what experts call “flying saltshakers of death.”
Furthermore, researchers are excited about studying a fungus known as Massospora that infects cicadas and influences their behavior. This fungus, which floods the insect with amphetamine and psilocybin, leads to interesting behavioral changes in infected cicadas.
One of the interesting findings that researchers want to delve into is the genetic differences between the 13-year and 17-year broods, which could shed light on how the fungus persists in these insects with unique life cycles.
Scientists are also curious about how cicadas impact the plants they feed on and how trees defend themselves against these herbivores. Cicada emergences have ecological benefits, providing nutrients for plant life and serving as a protein source for predators.
While this year’s cicada emergences may not necessarily result in twice the number of cicadas in a given area, they are sure to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for residents, particularly in Illinois where Brood XIX and Brood XIII will overlap.