For the first time in over 200 years, two groups of periodical cicadas will emerge at the same time — meaning billions of the insects will be buzzing around.
There are about 3,000 different species of cicadas globally, and in North America, there are seven species that emerge either every 13 years or every 17 years, saysHannah Burrack, PhD, an applied ecologist in the department of entomology (the study of insects) at Michigan State University in East Lansing.
In May and June, Cicada Brood XIX (13-year cycle) and Brood XIII (17-year cycle) will surface at the same time, bringing with them their loud buzzing (they can be as loud as a hair dryer) and molted exoskeletons.These two species have some of the largest populations, and together, they will cover most of the eastern United States, says Dr. Burrack.
The singing insects have already appeared in South Carolina, and they will continue to appear through June as far north as Michigan and Wisconsin. Thismap created by CBS News shows where you will be able to see cicadas in the United States this year.
If you’re wondering what to expect — or are just totally freaked out and worried about your health and your sanity — read on for expert answers.
Where Are You Likely to Spot the Cicadas?
If you live in a state that’s seeing cicadas this year, you’re more likely to find them in places that have trees, wooded areas, or shrubs that have been present for at least 13 or 17 years, says Burrack.
“The immature nymphs (baby cicadas) are feeding on the roots of those plants. State parks, your local city park, or areas with consistent wind cover are the places where you're most likely to have cicada populations present,” says Burrack.
Are Cicadas Loud? Will They Keep Me Up at Night?
In April, CBS News reported that in South Carolina, the cicadas in one county were so loud that some residents called the sheriff’s office asking why they could hear a “noise in the air that sounds like a siren, or a whine, or a roar.”
They may be noisy enough to hear in some rural areas, says Burrack. “If you live in a suburban or an urban environment, chances are you're probably not going to hear anything out of the ordinary soundwise. Whatever normal insect populations you normally hear is what you'll hear,” she says.
Besides, unless you work at night and sleep during the day, they won’t interrupt your sleep, says Burrack. “Cicadas are daytime active insects, so they won't make noise at night,” she says.
Can Cicadas Bite or Spread Disease?
Cicadas only feed on plants and trees, says Burrack.
“They don’t bite or sting people and they don’t spread any disease, to humans or any plant or animal that we know of,” she says.
On the off chance that a cicada lands on you, it’s probably not on purpose. They’re typically not interested in hanging out on people, and they wouldn’t stick around, she says.
Can You Eat Cicadas?
“You can eat cicadas, and there are lots of recipes you can find online,” Burrack says.
But some people should avoid consuming cicadas.
- People with shellfish allergies. Cicadas are sometimes called “land shrimp,” and they are related to shellfish, so don’t eat them if you have a known allergy.
- People who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Cicadas and shellfish accumulate mercury, which can harm a developing infant’s brain.
- Young children, for the same reasons as above.
- Anyone with gout or at risk for gout. Cicadas can cause gout flare-ups.
Be mindful that cicadas may have been munching on plants with harmful pesticides or other chemicals that may not be good for you. You also don’t want to eat cicadas that are already dead or listless. Finally, don’t eat cicadas that have a white chalk bottom instead of a tail; those have a fungal infection.
If you want to harvest some for later, rinse, dry, and freeze the insects. That kills them and preserves them for later consumption.
What Do Cicadas Taste Like?
Do they taste good? That depends on who you talk to. Some people say they have a pleasant nutty flavor, but they’ve also been described as “nature’s gushers” (and not in a complimentary way).
What if I’m Terrified of Bugs?
Cicadas are biologically fascinating, have no negative impact on people, and are important to the ecosystem, says Burrack.
If that doesn’t ease your “ick factor,” try to keep in mind that they’re not interested in people and their emergence is relatively short-lived.
“Remember, they occur mostly in places with long-term forest and shrub growth. If you are afraid of encountering cicadas, you might not want to spend time in those areas during spring and early summer — and after that, they’ll be gone,” she says.
How Long Will Cicadas Be Around?
Cicadas will be around for four to six weeks, says Burrack. “During that time they mate, lay eggs, and feed a little bit through their straw-like mouthparts,” she says.
Then they’ll either die of “cicada old age,” or be eaten by predators, she says — one potential reason they emerge in such large numbers on predictable schedules.
“The birds, reptiles, and small mammals that eat cicadas get full pretty quickly when they suddenly have hundreds of thousands of cicadas in their local habitat. So while some of them will be eaten, countless more will survive, and we think that's really what's driving the evolution of this unique life history,” says Burrack.
