Ready for 'Cicada-geddon 2024'? When will Brood XIX cicadas emerge in Middle Tennessee

Summertime brings hotter temperatures, lake days, barbeques - and droves of cicadas producing that piercing, screeching sound most southerners have gotten used to.

2024 will see the emergence of Brood XIX cicadas, which have been dormant for the past 13 years. The cicadas will be emerging in the trillions due to a rare, double-brood event, what many are calling, "cicada-geddon." Cicada-geddon will include the 13-year brood Brood XIX and the 17-year Brood XIII.

Brood XIX will be found in 14 states including Tennessee and Brood XIII will be emerge in the Midwest. The two broods will likely overlap in Iowa and Illinois, according to Cicadamania.com. Tennessee will not see any overlap of the two cicada groups.

Here's what else to know about "Cicada-geddon 2024," and the brood which will soon be "screaming" in Tennessee's backyards.

Where will cicadas emerge in the United States? Check out the 2024 cicada map

When will cicadas emerge in Tennessee in 2024? Where will they emerge?

Brood XIX cicadas will emerge around mid-May in Tennessee through mid-June as the insects try to find mates before hibernating once again. Exact timing however, is weather dependant.

According to Cicadamania.com, cicadas will emerge in the following Tennessee counties: Blount, Cheatham, Clay, Davidson, Grundy, Hamilton, Jackson, Loudon, Macon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Putnam, Rutherford, Sequatchie, Smith, Stewart and Summer.

Why do cicadas 'scream?'

Male cicadas "scream" in order to attract mates. Females lack the structures known as tybals that produce sound, so only the males will "scream." Male cicadas begin screaming four or five days after they emerge.

Each species of cicada has a distinctive song they produce said the University of Illinois, and according to the National Institute of Health, the mating calls can reach over 90 decibels, as loud as a lawnmower, motorcycle or tractor.

What's the difference between Brood XIX cicadas and Brood XIII cicadas?

Both cicada broods are periodical, meaning they emerge in a given year instead of annually. There are 12 broods of cicadas with 17-year life cycles and three broods with 13-year life cycles. Brood XIII cicadas emerge every 17 years and Brood XIX cicadas emerge every 13 years.

According to the University of Illinois, there are multiple theories as to why the broods emerge in 13 or 17-year intervals. One theory is that the timing would make it difficult for predators to evolve life cycles that would sync with the cicadas. Another theory is that cicadas developed this life cycle due to the ice ages. It is believed that the colder temperatures of the time period slowed cicadas’ growth, extending their life cycle.

Both broods of cicadas are large-bodied, have large compound eyes, and are sometimes mistakenly called locusts, said the University of Illinois.

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter at @_leyvadiana

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: When will cicadas emerge in Nashville, Middle Tennessee in 2024?