In 2024, two broods of periodical cicadas are expected to invade the United States at once. This is a rare event that will occur for the first time in more than 200 years, writes ScienceAlert.
Periodical cicadas, which are found in North America, spend most of their lives underground and rise to the surface only once every 17 or 13 years. Within a month, they find a mate, reproduce, lay eggs and die. The larvae are then born and immediately buried underground to await the next infestation.
The Great Southern brood cicadas, designated by the Roman numeral XIX and occupying the states of Tennessee, Georgia, Texas and Alabama, are expected to surface in May. They were last seen in 2011, which is 13 years ago. At the same time, the invasion of Brood XII, which inhabits Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, will begin. It rises to the surface once every 17 years.
