Brace Yourself Arkansas, Insect Brood Convergence In Spring ’24
Most bugs don't bother me that much, but these give me the willies, maybe it's because they're so big, maybe it's because they're so loud, but all I know is when they scream a lot of us do too. I'm talking about the dreaded cicada, and this year there will be more than we have ever seen in our lives emerging all at once. Joy!
Why, You Ask?
Brace yourself, there are many different broods of cicadas, and they emerge in 13-year, and 17-year cycles. Guess what is happening this Spring that hasn't happened since Thomas Jefferson was President? Two of the Brood's cycles will converge, and all will emerge at the same time. True, according to an article on NBCDFW.com, these giant, loud, obnoxious, flying, screaming, insects will all roll out of their sacks at the same time, and there are some areas where these Broods overlap.
This is the first time this brood convergence has happened since 1803, that's 221 years ago. We have never seen it, our parents have never seen it, and their parents probably never saw it.
The two groups are known as Brood XIII and Brood XIX.
The good news?
The two Broods don't overlap everywhere, just in certain areas in the Midwest. As you can see by the US Forest Service map below, Brood XIX is on the 13-year cycle and is found mostly in Arkansas and Missouri. Brood XIII, is on the 17-year cycle and is primarily in Illinois but the two Broods do overlap in areas. I would hate to be riding a motorcycle in those areas this spring, that's gotta hurt.
Face shields down this Spring!
Be safe out there.
LOOK: 20 of the biggest insects in the world
Gallery Credit: Andrea Vale
Gross Habits That Can Ruin Relationships
Gallery Credit: Lauryn Snapp
