A once-in-a-lifetime cicada emergence expected in 2024. Will North Carolina be buzzing?

Molly Wilhelm, Wilmington StarNews
·2 min read

For the first time in over two centuries, two distinctive cicada broods are set to emerge simultaneously.

The Brood XIX is anticipated to emerge in North Carolina and 13 additional states in what promises to be a significant natural event. A second group, known as Brood XIII, are expected to be seen in a handful of states across the Midwest at the same time.

This dual emergence hasn't occurred since 1803, according to Smithsonian Magazine. Overlap between the two broods might occur in central Illinois and eastern Iowa.

But what exactly is a cicada brood, what's different about Brood XIX and Brood XIII, and where can you expect to hear the buzzing song of these insects across North Carolina?

What is a brood?

More generally, the term brood refers to a group of insects or animals.

Brood XIX and Brood XIII are periodical cicadas, meaning their emergence occurs at specified intervals in time.

"All periodical cicadas of the same life cycle type that emerge in a given year are known collectively as a single 'brood,'" according to the University of Connecticut (UConn).

There are 12 different broods of 17-year cicadas and three broods of 13-year cicadas, each designated by a different Roman numeral. Nearly all of the periodical cicadas in a given region emerge in the same year. Though, synchronization between the broods across different regions happens in varying years.

What's unique about Brood XIX and Brood XIII?

Brood XIX has a 13-year life cycle and is the largest of all periodical cicada broods, according to UConn.

Four different species of cicada are included within Brood XIX:

  • Magicicada neotredecim.

  • Magicicada tredecim.

  • Magicicada tredecassini.

  • Magicicada tredecula.

Two of these species, Magicicada neotredecim and Magicicada tredecim, are similar in appearance and song, according to Cicada Mania. However, when these species overlap, Magicicada neotredecim will alter their song to a higher pitch to differentiate themselves among females.

In contrast to Brood XIX, Brood XIII has a 17-year life cycle. This brood contains three distinct species:

  • Magicicada septendecim

  • Magicicada cassini

  • Magicicada septendecula

The two broods will not align in their emergence again until 2245, according to Smithsonian Magazine.

When will the cicadas emerge in North Carolina and where?

Beginning in mid-May and ending in late June, billions of cicadas are expected to make their emergence to mate and lay eggs.

This is typically around the time when the soil eight inches beneath the ground has reached 64 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Cicada Mania's 2024 forecast.

After 13 years underground, Brood XIX cicadas will be seen in following North Carolina counties, according to the cicada-dedicated webpage:

  • Buncombe County

  • Cabarrus County

  • Chatham County

  • Davidson County

  • Davie County

  • Gaston County

  • Guilford County

  • Mecklenburg County

  • Montgomery County

  • Randolph County

  • Rowan County

  • Stanly County

  • Union County

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 2024 cicada emergence: Will North Carolina see the Brood XIX insects?