Cicadas Are Here: What You Need to Know

Trillions of cicadas are emerging across multiple states in a rare, two-brood event. Broods XIX and XIII are making an appearance in the Southeast and Midwest, with users of the Cicada Safari app spotting them in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, Illinois, and parts of Iowa.

"[U]sers can confirm their sightings of cicadas with pictures, look at a map of other cicada sightings, join a leaderboard, and learn more information about cicadas."

The two broods are expected to emerge in a total of 17 states, their arrival signaled by a soil temperature of 64 degrees at 8 inches underground. The last time these broods emerged together? 1803, when Thomas Jefferson was president.

What's All the Noise About?

Male cicadas are the noisy ones, synchronizing their calls to produce congregational songs to establish territory and attract mates. These 13- and 17-year brood cicadas are particularly loud due to their massive numbers.

So, are they dangerous? No, but they're definitely making their presence known.