Rare Double Cicada Brood Emergence After 200 Years Celebrated by Google Doodle

Google has commemorated the rare phenomenon of a double cicada brood emergence with an animated Doodle, marking the first occurrence in over two centuries. This unique event involves the simultaneous emergence of Brood XIII and Brood XIX, two distinct groups of cicadas that are set to swarm various regions in 2024. The last time such a convergence happened was in 1803, making this year’s event a truly historic occurrence.

Brood XIII, typically found in northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, northwestern Indiana, southwestern Michigan, and eastern Iowa, emerges every 17 years. On the other hand, Brood XIX, primarily sighted in southern Illinois, Missouri, and parts of Virginia, follows a 13-year cycle. The overlap of these two broods, especially in central Illinois, is expected to create a spectacular and deafening display of cicada activity.

Trillions of cicadas are forecasted to emerge from the ground, signaling the start of their noisy mating season. The loud chorus produced by the insects, with some sound levels reaching 90 to 120 decibels, is equivalent to the noise generated by a gas-powered lawnmower. However, unlike most nocturnal pests, cicadas are diurnal creatures, serenading the daytime with their characteristic buzzing calls.

During their mating rituals, male cicadas utilize their tymbal membranes to create their distinctive sound, attracting female counterparts for reproduction. While the cacophony may deter some individuals, the cicadas’ presence poses no immediate threat as they neither sting nor bite. Despite their harmless nature, these insects can inflict damage to trees such as oak, hickory, apple, birch, and dogwood, which they feed on.

The concurrent emergence of Brood XIII and Brood XIX presents a unique opportunity for scientists and nature enthusiasts to witness a rare natural spectacle that occurs once every two centuries. As the cicadas swarm and fill the air with their symphony, communities across the affected regions will experience a profound intersection of nature’s cycles, showcasing the beauty and complexity of our ecosystem.