Cicadas in Georgia 2024 | Everything you need to know
A newly emerged adult cicada from brood X suns itself on a leaf May 16, 2004 in Reston, Virginia - file photo. (Photo by Richard Ellis/Getty Images)
ATLANTA - This year, get ready for a symphony of cicadas as two broods, Brood XIX and Brood XIII, emerge in 17 states. This rare event hasn't occurred in 221 years (since Thomas Jefferson was president in 1803) and won't happen again until 2245. Trillions of these buzzing bugs are expected to surface in states across the Midwest and Southeast.
But…
13-year Brood XIX and 17-year Brood XIII do not overlap to any significant extent this year. They may co-occur in patches of woods, but these patches will be small in size. If there is an overlap, it will most likely occur in central Illinois.
In Georgia
In Georgia, we will only see one brood, Brood XIX(19), and only in a handful of counties.
However, if you are willing to travel, you could see all seven named periodical cicada species as adults in the same year, which will not happen again until 2037.
How many did you say?
Figuring out how many periodical cicadas are out there is a real tough nut to crack, for a bunch of reasons. People often throw around this crazy stat that there can be over a million of them crammed into just one acre.
So, if you add the number of acres in the 11 counties (list below) where Brood XIX is expected in Georgia, the total is roughly 2,411,740 acres. Now, multiply that by 1 million and that gives you 2,411,740,000,000 or two trillion, four hundred eleven billion, and seven hundred forty million. That is a lot. And, they could show up in even more counties!
Before y'all get too freaked out, keep in mind there about 2 million species of insects in this world that have been identified and about 91,000 species in the U.S., according to the Smithsonian. There is also an estimated 73,000 in the U.S. that have not been identified. It's also estimated that there are anywhere from about 124 million to 425 million insects per acre and insects outnumber humbans about 200 million to 1.
What Happens During an Emergence?
When cicadas emerge, it's a sight to behold. After years underground as nymphs, millions of cicadas climb onto trees and structures, shedding their old skins to reveal winged adults. Male cicadas then serenade females with their loud calls, leading to mating and egg-laying. Once hatched, the nymphs return underground to feed on tree roots until the cycle repeats.
What Exactly Are Cicadas?
Cicadas are a superfamily, the Cicadoidea, of insects in the order Hemiptera (true bugs, known for their distinctive droning noise and long, transparent wings. They spend most of their lives underground before emerging, mating, laying eggs, and starting the cycle anew.
Special Facts About Brood XIX
Brood XIX(19), also known as the Great Southern Brood, boasts a 13-year life cycle, making it the largest of all periodical cicada broods. It features two types of cicadas, Magiciada neotredcim and Magicicada tredecim, with similar appearances and songs. These cicadas have black bodies, red eyes, and clear, orange-tinted wings, with Magiciada neotredcim sporting more orange on its abdomen.
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When Can We Expect Them?
The majority of cicadas are expected to emerge around mid-May, although sightings have already begun in Georgia and in other states. They should be gone by the end of June.
But I hear cicadas all the time in Georgia!
Yes, you do. There are annual cicadas that appear every summer in Georgia. Here's list: Southern Grass Cicada, Olympic Scub Cicada, Northern Dusk Singing Cicada, Fall Southeastern Dusk-singing Cicada, Walker’s Cicada, Southern Resonant/Great Pine Barrens Cicada, Hieroglyphic Cicada, Davis’ Southeastern Dog-Day Cicada, Linne’s Cicada, Dark Lyric Cicada, Lyric Cicada, Costal Lyric Cicada and more.
Brood XIX in Atlanta?
There's no Brood XIX in Atlanta due to its young trees and extensive development. If you're eager to witness cicadas, you'll need to venture outside the city limits.
Where can I see them?
Well, if you live in Atlanta, you need to drive at least an hour or so away from the city. According to University of Georgia's entomology professor, Dr. Nancy Hinkle, your greatest chance to find cicadas are probably in the very western and northwestern part of the state.
List of Georgia counties for 2024:
This is a list of counties where they are expected in 2024 from the USDA Forest Service.
- Fulton County
- Cobb County
- Troup County
- Polk County
- Floyd County
- Chattooga County
- Walker County
- Catoosa County
- White County
- Jackson County
- Madison County
However, FOX 5 Atlanta has received photos from viewers of cicadas in several other counties, including Morgan, Murray, Columbia, Gordon, Walton, Elbert, Jones, Harris and McDuffie.
Also, here's a list of parks from Georgia Department of Natural Resources where cicadas have been spotted. According to DNR, these locations offer ideal conditions to enjoy the captivating cicada spectacle and there is still availability to book a stay GaStateParks.org/Reservations.
Additionally, here is a map where Brood XIX appeared in 2011. So, they could pop up in quite a few more counties.
Cicada FAQs
- Size and Lifespan: Adult cicadas measure 1 to 2 inches long with a wingspan of 3 to 4 inches and live for 4 to 6 weeks ABOVE ground. However, their total lifespans are 13 or 17 years.
- Diet: Adult cicadas don't eat (much) solid food but they do drink fluids to stay hydrated.
- Impact on Plants: While cicadas aren't interested in perennials or annuals, they may harm young trees and fruit trees by laying eggs in branches. Netting or cheesecloth can be used to protect trees.
- Safety: Cicadas don't bite, sting, or carry diseases, making them harmless to humans and pets. That means you don't need to kill them!
- Edibility: Yes, you can eat cicadas! They're tender just after emerging from their shells and can be cooked in various ways. Some people say they taste like shrimp, others say they taste like asparagus, and a few people have even compared their taste to peanut butter. Please note that cicadas can contain a high level of mercury. So, if you are allergic to shellfish, you probably should not eat them!
Fun Cicada Activities
- Fold origami cicadas.
- Download the Cicada Safari app to help track cicadas.
- Create art using cicada shells.
- Cicada recipes based on your Zodiac sign.
- Try making cicada chips or a stir-fry dish.