Billions of Cicadas Arrive in Massachusetts Any Day Now, in an Event Not Heard or Seen in 200 Years

Just as a rare eclipse of totality mesmerized millions of us across 13 states, it's now time for another rare event, featuring cicadas.

In this first full month of spring, several states and millions of people will most definitely hear before they see incredible amounts of cicadas emerge from the ground. The sight has not been seen or heard in over 200 years.

What makes this a rare moment, according to Scripps News, is that it involves cicadas with a 13-year life cycle and a 17-year life cycle reaching adulthood at the same time. As I mentioned above, that hasn't happened in over 200 years.

According to Scripps News, the next time this will happen will be 2245, when Brood XIII and Brood XIX cicadas both reach adulthood.

Here is an incredible map from the United States Department of Agriculture, where the billions could even reach the trillion mark. As you can see from the map, it appears Massachusetts and Connecticut are the two New England states that will experience this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Around 25 states in the Midwest, South, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast are where these two groups of cicadas will emerge from underground at some point this month (April 2024). As you're reading this, maybe they already have.

This may feel and sound like a scary movie, with massive amounts of cicadas (even into the trillions) spread out across the most populated part of the United States. But there's nothing to be afraid of at all, according to Scripps News. Cicadas don't bite or sting. As a matter of fact, there's nothing hazardous for us humans or our pets at all. Maybe they're just creepy. Even wild animals are just fine.

This event will last around six weeks, which is how long adult cicadas can live as they mate and lay new eggs before their shells will litter the ground.