It's that time again and Brood X, 17-year Cicadas have emerged in Tennessee and states prepare for a "total invasion."
Margaret Carmona snapped photos of dozens of Cicadas near her home in the Washington County/Green County area on Monday.
These Cicadas are emerging after 17 years underground. When the entire brood emerges, backyards can look like undulating waves, and the bug chorus is lawnmower loud.
The University of Tennessee’s Institute of Agriculture says multiple swarms of 17-year and 13-year Cicadas are projected to emerge in the Volunteer State over the next several years.
When Cicadas come to town – residents know it and it’s something that sticks with them. The high-pitched, shrill sounding songs of these insects always creates a buzz.
“It’s a total invasion,” FOX 17 News reporter and Nashville native Harriet Wallace said. “If you’re not from here, you won’t believe it until you see it.”
According to UTIA, two races of periodical Cicadas exist, 13-year and 17-year.
After shedding their skins, the males noisily climb to the treetops, hoping to attract females, who lay their eggs there. Those eggs fall to the ground.
The tiny nymphs that emerge, repeat the cycle, by burrowing underground.
Here's a look at Cicadas emerging by the year:
2021: Brood X, 17-year Cicadas
Brood X, a 17-year Cicada distribution, last emerged in May 2004, UTIA noted in its map of “Periodical Cicadas.” The department wrote that there was “no significant detections” of the insect in middle and west Tennessee. However, UTIA’s map shows Wilson, Dekalb, Hickman, Wayne, Lincoln and Franklin counties shaded. These Cicadas are expected to re-emerge in 2021.
2024: Brood XIX, 13-year Cicadas
The Brood XIX, a 13-year Cicada, emerged in May 2011 and is expected to make a comeback in 2024. Counties shaded on the map show nearly all of middle Tennessee.
2025: Brood XIV, 17-year Periodical Cicada
Brood XIV, a 17-year periodical Cicada distribution, last emerged in May 2009. They are expected to re-emerge in 2025. UTIA’s map shows 71 Tennessee counties shaded out.
2028: Brood XXIII, 13-year Cicadas
The Brood Brood XXIII 13-year Cicadas last emerged in May 2015 and are projected to re-emerge in 2028. UTIA maps show the insects concentrating in the west part of the state.