Are you ready for swarms of cicadas to take over a 16-state area?

It’s rare, but occasionally two broods emerge at the same time. Brood XIII (comprising cicadas that emerge every 17 years) and Brood XIX (13-year cicadas) will both reproduce this spring.

Did you know?The last time Broods XIII and XIX emerged simultaneously was 1803.

Enter: the super brood

Does this mean the two broods can reproduce with each other? Will that result in even more cicadas during their next emergences?

We spoke to Dr. Gene Kritsky, a cicada expert at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, to find out. He let us know that since “the broods do not have a wide area of overlap” it is unlikely that they will reproduce with each other. However, he noted, “If there was an overlap, it could satiate the predators more quickly, resulting in generally more offspring from each brood.”

What this means

The good news? The majority of overlapping broods are concentrated in Illinois, so most cities are unlikely to see more cicadas due to the super brood, but it’s possible for cities like Indianapolis, St. Louis, Chicago, Kansas City, and Louisville. CEs: "In the NL, update this paragraph with: The good news? There is no overlap of broods in MKT City, so we are unlikely to see more cicadas due to the super brood. But it's possible." LOU, INDY, and KC use this copy: "The good news? While it is possible for overlap to occur near our city, it's unlikely we'll see more cicadas due to the super brood."

However, Brood XIX is coming to 13 states across the southeast and midwest, including North and South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Cicadas usually emerge when the soil hits 64 degrees, which begins in April for some places. Check the current soil temp in your area. CEs: In the NL, replace this paragraph with: "However, Brood XIX is coming. Cicadas usually emerge when the soil hits 64 degrees. Currently, our soil is at ~TK degrees." Use the link above to update your soil temp.

In other words, we're close to the event these cicadas have been waiting over a decade for. CEs: In the NL, replace the map below with the graphic provided to you. It is already uploaded in BSP. Search "cicada safari" in BSP or the "conversation" section in the Main Site article for a link to the canva graphic.

How you can help

Cicada Safari needs you to track cicada spottings. Mapping cicadas helps experts understand when broods may emerge. Per Dr. Kritsky, it also led to a discovery "that some 17-year cicadas can emerge four years early and may form a new brood."

Download the free app to track cicada spottings and submit your own photos.

Look for cicadas where there are trees, full sun, and low vegetation. Think: Parks and cemeteries. CEs: In the NL replace with specific park + cemetery. E.g., "Think: French Broad River Park and Riverside Cemetery."

Did you learn something today? Prove it by taking our cicada quiz. CEs: in the NL, delete this sentence and make this an engagement module.