This year, residents of far western Missouri will have the chance to witness the emergence of a loud and widespread cicada species that appears only once every 17 years. Unfortunately, it seems that Kansas will not have the opportunity to experience this phenomenon.
According to a recent cicada map published by USA Today on May 7, 2024, cicadas belonging to “Brood XIII” are expected to emerge from the ground in an area that stretches as far east as Benton County, Missouri. This area is adjacent to Crawford County in southeast Kansas. The map was compiled using data from multiple federal agencies.
According to Rodrigo Mercader, an assistant professor of biology at Washburn University, Kansas will not experience the emergence of Brood XIII cicadas. Instead, the state will only see the non-periodical cicadas that appear annually.
According to Mercader, the emergence of Brood IV, which will bring the periodical cicadas to Kansas, is expected to happen in 2032.
In 2015, Brood IV cicadas emerged from their underground dwellings in Kansas after spending 17 years there, according to the expert.
People are eagerly anticipating the arrival of periodical cicadas for several reasons.
Periodical cicadas, known as “broods,” exhibit a fascinating natural phenomenon with at least 15 different cycles. These remarkable insects emerge from the ground either every 17 years or every 13 years.
After a brief period of a few weeks, the red-eyed bugs with black bodies and orange-tinted wings take to the skies. During this time, they engage in the important tasks of mating and laying eggs before ultimately meeting their demise. It is through the hatching of these eggs that the cycle of life continues for the next generation of cicadas.
According to Mercader, there are two main reasons why people are becoming increasingly fascinated by periodical cicadas this year.
This year, we can witness the emergence of several periodical cicadas from two distinct groups: Brood XIII, which emerges every 17 years, and Brood XIX, which appears every 13 years. While these broods have adjacent geographic areas, there is minimal overlap, and only small regions in central Illinois are anticipated to experience the presence of both broods. It is worth noting that the last time these two broods emerged simultaneously was in the year 1803.
Broad XIX periodical cicadas will emerge in a significant geographical region, making appearances in multiple states.
Where are periodical cicadas expected to appear this year?
Cicadas of various broods make their appearance in different regions across the eastern half of the United States at different times. Meanwhile, other species of cicadas can be found every summer.
Cicadas have not been observed in the western region.
A significant number of this year’s cicadas have already emerged from the ground.
