Quick question: remember back in 2022 when we did the whole “emergence of cicadas” thing (again)? Well, guess what: it’s time to do it again – again! In 2024, something intriguing and incredibly rare is happening: two separate broods of cicadas – Brood XIX and Brood XIII, respectively – are set to emerge from their long-term slumber at the same time. The last time this “double emergence” of cicadas occurred was more than 200 years ago, so even if you’re not an insect person, this is still notably awesome. So let’s get ready to rumble with the double emergence of cicadas: 21st-century edition.

First and foremost, what's a "brood", anyway?
Carly Jane Casper/Flickr
Easy: a "brood" is defined as a group of periodical cicadas that emerge in the same year, and all of them have names designated by Roman numerals. Back in 1907, an entomologist assigned numerals to 30 different broods of the little fellas. As of the time of this writing, there are 12 broods of 17-year cicadas and three broods of 13-year cicadas.
This year, we'll be blessed with the emergence of two of these broods: XIX and XII.
Stan/Flickr
These are pronounced as the numbers they represent: XIX is Brood 19 and XII is Brood 12. It's interesting to note that each brood is NOT a specific species; these broods are made up of numerous species of regional cicadas. All that matters is that they emerge together consistently.
Luckily for those of us up here in Indiana, we only need to worry about the emergence of one of those Broods.
James Jordan/Flickr
The Hoosier State and parts of Illinois will be blessed with the presence of Brood XIII while folks in the southeastern US will be blessed with Brood XIX.

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Joelmills/Wikimedia
...and they're all the same kind of noisy. But, for some reason, we all still associate them with warmer days ahead, and that's good enough for me.
So, no worries, Hoosiers: we won't have to cope with two separate broods of cicadas all emerging in our neighborhoods at once.
patchattack/Flickr
Certain people might be quick to go out and try to find the little guys; it's pretty easy. Look in trees, on rocks, on tall blades of grass... anywhere a cicada can fit, a cicada might sit.
As for me, personally, I find these insects absolutely fascinating and can't wait to start spotting them!
C Smith/Flickr
Their weird charm is even in their name: they certainly put the "magic" in Magicicada.

When can we expect our guests this year? Cicadas typically begin emerging from their underground worlds during the last two weeks of May and into June. This won’t happen again for another 221 years, so it’s worth celebrating, in my opinion.

Expect the buzz to begin soon, Hoosiers, as spring will be here before we know it. Planning on hiking this year to listen to the cicada song? Me either. But if you are, you might want to check out AllTrails Plus for all the best trails and maps, which I’m not even sure how I ever hiked before I had it.

What are your thoughts? Are you stoked for the cicada emergence, or are you firmly in the “nope” club? Let me know!

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