Prepare for the arrival of the cicadas: Here’s everything you need to know if you cross their path

With spring in full swing, a subterranean clock is ticking in more than a dozen states. Once the soil reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit, billions of periodical cicadas emerge after spending most of their lives underground. Different broods, or groups of cicadas, emerge every 13 or 17 years to mate. In 2024, two different broods will emerge simultaneously across different areas in the U.S. These cicadas serve ecological purposes but can also threaten saplings. An experiment is being conducted using biopesticides to control the cicadas and prevent damage to trees, offering a unique opportunity for future benefits. Despite the trouble they may cause, entomologists encourage embracing the unique biological phenomenon of periodical cicadas.

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