Rare ‘Dual Emergence’ to bring swarms of cicadas to Chicago this summer

This summer Chicago will experience the convergence of two cicada broods in what experts are calling a historic event. The thirteen-year and seventeen-year broods will emerge during the same cycle for the first time since 1803, according to the Smithsonian.

The Smithsonian notes that overlap between pairs of cicada broods happens on occasion. This year will mark an especially rare emergence, one that only occurs every 221 years. 

The last time such an event took place, Thomas Jefferson was the President. The two broods will not simultaneously emerge again until the year 2245.

According to a fact sheet from the University of Illinois, cicadas are some of the longest-living insects on earth, spending years underground feeding on tree roots before emerging in cycles of either 13 or 17 years.

As for how the cicadas will impact Chicago in 2024, the University of Illinois says the disruption to daily life will be minimal. Cicadas are known to be quite noisy, but the University notes that the chattering bugs pose no threat to the public.

“Most of Chicago will experience periodical cicada emergence in 2024”, reads the University fact sheet. “Besides the noise, which may be substantial, this large group of insects is harmless and can be appreciated and enjoyed by nature lovers of all ages.”

The cicadas are expected to begin emerging in May and June and will last for four weeks. While we can’t be certain just how many cicadas will swarm Chicago, one thing is clear: It's going to be a very buggy summer in the Windy City!