A double emergence of cicadas

Not only will the summer be “graced” by a canticle chorus of cicadas, but 2024 will see a double emergence of the short-lived insects. Huh?

Listen to a field of cicadas

This year will see two separate batches of periodical cicadas emerge en masse and spread across much of the eastern half of the U.S. These insects crawl out of the ground once every thirteen or seventeen years for a rush of mating and egg-laying until all the adults die. At the same time, the next generation is tucked underground, all the while growing and feeding, until it’s their turn to emerge. It’s an unusual but ancient lifecycle that has become part of the fabric of Eastern U.S. forests. And it will be on full display this spring—an infrequent occurrence.

Below is a table showing the years of future co-emergences, and a map displaying the areas of the U.S. able to witness this occurrence.