When will cicadas descend upon Columbus, Georgia?
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Summers in Georgia can get a bit noisy with the company of some incessantly chirpy guests.
By guests, we mean bugs.
Annual cicadas crowd Columbus trees every summer, but this year, the Peach State may see a rare occurrence — periodical cicadas, which emerge every thirteen or seventeen years.
According to cicadasafari.org, there’s four different species of the thirteen-year cicadas: Magicicada tredecim, Magicicada neotredecim, Magicicada tredecassini, and Magicicada tredecula.
As for the seventeen-year insects, there’s only three species: Magicicada septendecim, Magicicada cassini and Magicicada septendecula.
Based on the calendar year the periodical cicadas emerge, they’re placed into a “geographic brood.” This year is “Brood XIIII” and “Brood XIX,” also known as The Great Southern Brood.
If that all looks like gibberish to you, here’s the important part: “For the first time since 2015 a 13-year brood will emerge in the same year as a 17-year brood.”
Does that mean the River City will be overran by flying, shrieking bugs?
Not necessarily.
In this map provided by the USDA Forest Service, it’s predicted Russell County will see some activity from Brood XIX, but Brood XIIII is concentrated to the northern U.S.
Since Russell neighbors Muscogee, it’s possible some of our new chirpy friends may wind up in Columbus, but it’s worth noting that cicadas aren’t exactly known for their outstanding travel skills. A study found they rarely flew distances over 50m.
When we can expect to see these cicadas? We have a couple months. They typically emerge when temperatures reach about 64 degrees, and for Georgia, that’s usually April or May.
Loud chirping aside, cicadas can actually help the environment. So if your lawn winds up littered with cicada corpses, just remember — it may give your soil extra nutrients.
As for now, enjoy the peace of a shriek-free backyard.
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