Double Brood Emergence: A Rare Phenomenon in North American Cicadas

In a highly anticipated event, two periodical broods of cicadas are set to emerge simultaneously in the early spring. This rare occurrence, which last happened in 1803, will not happen again until 2245. Cicadas spend the majority of their lives underground, only emerging once every 13 or 17 years in specific regions. This year, both broods will emerge, resulting in billions of cicadas flooding the eastern regions of the United States. While some may liken this event to a biblical plague, cicadas do not cause any destruction and in fact, play a vital role in the ecosystem.