The cicada invasion has begun! Discover where flying insects emerge

The historic cicada invasion is upon us!

Noisy flying insects known as cicadas have begun emerging from the ground and have been seen buzzing around North Carolina and South Carolina before eventually appearing in 15 other states.

The one- to two-inch-long insects rise from the ground and grow wings before beginning a mating frenzy that lasts several weeks.

Billions, if not trillions, of two groups of cicadas will appear in 17 US states in the coming months in a rare natural phenomenon not seen since 1803.

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It is the first time in 221 years that two types of cicadas (generations XIX and XIII) emerge from the ground at the same time, when Thomas Jefferson was president, and it is not expected to happen again until 2244.

The insects have robust bodies, bulging compound red eyes, and membranous wings with a three-inch wingspan.

The two generations together will span parts of 17 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin, according to the United States Forest Service.

The newly released video shows swarms of cicadas climbing a tree, while in other images the insects can be seen flying under the lights of a canopy, swarming on a nearby wall and crawling on the ground.

“It’s a pretty surprising phenomenon, I mean, it’s unique,” Eric Benson, professor emeritus and extension entomologist at Clemson University in South Carolina, told Fox News Digital last month.

“They are one of the longest-lived insects that we know of and the fact that one insect can be underground for 13 or 17 years, and then around the same time, they all come out of the ground in sync,” Benson said. “It’s amazing to me. It’s one of the coolest natural phenomena in the world.”

A USDA Forest Service map showing the emergence of cicada hatchlings from April to May 2024 in the eastern United States. Areas in red show where Brood XIII, a 17-year-old calf, is expected to emerge. Areas in blue show where Brood XIX, a 13-year-old calf, is expected to emerge. The area in yellow shows where these breeding emergencies are expected to overlap in Illinois. (USDA Forest Service graphic)

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There are about 190 species of cicadas worldwide, but only in the eastern United States can you find periodical cicadas, which emerge every 13 to 17 years.

Cicadas are not harmful to humans, pets, home gardens or crops, the EPA says. They are also a valuable food source for birds and mammals.

According to a video on social media, turkeys have been feasting on cicadas. The video, posted on X, shows a dead turkey with its crop open, revealing at least a dozen cicadas that the bird had been devouring.

“Even in history, Native Americans ate cicadas because all of a sudden they’re provided with all this amazing protein that falls into their lap,” Benson said.

The cicadas’ most active period is from now until early June, and they usually appear after a good rain when the ground temperature reaches 64 degrees, Benson explained.

“They crawl on a surface, usually a tree trunk, or it could be on the side of your house, a car, a fence or whatever. They’re insects, so they have to shed their skin to get to the surface.” next stage, and they will go through their final molt, where they will shed their immature skin and be in their adult skin, which will have wings,” Benson said.

“They will molt, they will expand their wings, they will harden and when they are ready they will fly towards the trees.”

He said eventually the cicadas will mate noisily and then the females will lay their eggs on tree branches. They will hatch and fall to the ground, where they will remain for the next 13 to 17 years before the process is repeated.

So many cicadas make noise at once in some places that sound levels can reach more than 90 to 120 decibels, equivalent to a gasoline-powered lawn mower or motorcycle, according to the report. US Forest Service says.

Meanwhile, mating cicadas will die and homeowners will hope the carcasses don’t land in their gardens, as they can smell bad if they die in large numbers together.

Several Generation XIX cicadas crawl on the ground at the University of North Carolina on May 1, 2024. Billions from two groups of cicadas will appear in 17 US states in a rare natural phenomenon not seen since 1803. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Females laying their eggs on small tree branches can damage young trees, and the EPA advises covering young trees with mesh or netting to keep the insects away.

Experts also advise homeowners to cover swimming pools, patio furniture or similar items from cicadas or their droppings when they are active.

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Generation Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.

The XIX brood emerges on a slightly shorter cycle of 13 years and is widely distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. total of 15 states, according to Shockley. The two generations together span parts of 17 states.

These two broods overlap only in a small area in central Illinois and sometimes Indiana. They are close enough to have some interbreeding between offspring.

A Brood XIX cicada crosses a brick path on the University of North Carolina campus on May 1, 2024. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)