The cicada invasion has commenced! Discover the locations of the emerging flying insects.

The historic cicada invasion is upon us!

Cicadas, noisy flying insects, have started emerging from the ground and are buzzing around North Carolina and South Carolina. They will eventually appear in 15 other states.

The small bugs emerging from the ground are developing wings and engaging in a frenzied mating behavior that lasts for several weeks.

In the upcoming months, billions or even trillions of two species of cicadas will emerge in 17 U.S. states, marking a rare natural occurrence not witnessed since 1803.

In 221 years, two types of cicadas, brood XIX and XIII, have emerged simultaneously, which occurred during Thomas Jefferson's presidency, and it is predicted that this event will not occur again until 2244.

The bugs have robust bodies, enlarged compound eyes, and membranous wings that span three inches.

According to the United States Forest Service, the two broods together will cover parts of 17 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

A new video has emerged, depicting cicadas climbing trees, flying under canopy lights, swarming walls, and crawling on the ground.

Eric Benson, a professor emeritus and extension entomologist at Clemson University in South Carolina, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital last month that it is a unique and amazing phenomenon.

"Benson stated that these insects are among the longest-lived and can remain underground for 13 or 17 years before emerging simultaneously. He found this phenomenon fascinating and considered it one of nature's cooler wonders."

In the eastern United States, there are periodical cicadas that emerge every 13 or 17 years, while there are approximately 190 species of cicadas worldwide.

The EPA states that cicadas are not harmful to humans, pets, gardens, or crops, and they serve as a valuable food source for birds and mammals.

A social media video posted on X reveals that turkeys have been feasting on cicadas, as evidenced by a dead turkey with its crop cut open, showing at least a dozen cicadas inside.

In history, Native Americans consumed cicadas as a source of protein due to their sudden availability.

Cicadas are most active from now until early June, and they emerge after rain when the ground temperature reaches 64 degrees, as Benson explained.

Benson explained that insects typically crawl on surfaces such as tree trunks, houses, cars, fences, or any other available surface. In order to grow, they must shed their skin, going through a final molt where they emerge in their adult form, complete with wings.

"When they're ready, they'll molt, expand their wings, harden up and fly up into the trees."

Eventually, cicadas will mate in a noisy manner, and females will lay their eggs on tree branches. These eggs will hatch and fall to the ground, where they will remain for 13 or 17 years before the cycle repeats.

The U.S. Forest Service predicts that the sound levels in some areas could exceed 90 to 120 decibels due to the large number of cicadas making noise at once, which is equivalent to the noise of a gas-powered lawnmower or motorcycle.

As the mating cicadas die off, homeowners will hope that the dead bodies do not land in their gardens, as they can emit a foul odor when they die in large numbers together.

To protect young trees from harm caused by females laying their eggs on small tree branches, the EPA advises covering maturing saplings with mesh or netting.

It is advised by experts to protect pools, patio furniture, and other similar items from cicadas or their waste during their active period.

Cicadas belonging to Brood XIII emerge every 17 years and are predominantly found in specific regions of northern Illinois, eastern Iowa, southern Wisconsin, and a few counties in extreme northwestern Indiana, as stated by Floyd Shockley, an entomologist at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History in Washington.

According to Shockley, Brood XIX has a shorter 13-year cycle and is found in 15 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The two broods together cover parts of 17 states.

Overlapping only in a small area in central Illinois and sometimes in Indiana, these two broods are close enough to have some interbreeding.