"2024: Unprecedented Cicada Invasion Sweeps Midwest After 200-Year Absence"

In 2024, the Midwest will experience a rare event with the emergence of two cicada broods, a phenomenon not seen since 1803. Billions of cicadas will appear from late April through June, with one brood on a 13-year cycle and the other on a 17-year cycle. The Great Southern Brood will be present in 15 states, while the Northern Illinois Brood will be prominent in Illinois, parts of Wisconsin, Indiana, and southwest Michigan. This overlap may lead to genetic crossing and the potential for a new brood. Although cicadas are not harmful, their loud mating calls and large numbers may pose a nuisance, requiring cleanup.