Great southern cicada brood to emerge at any time

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo (KBSI) – For the first time in over two centuries, two specific broods of periodical cicadas will emerge simultaneously.

According to the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), Brood 19, or the Great Southern Brood of cicadas will be emerging soon, with some reports that they are already emerging.

The cicadas will be singing in large numbers this spring and summer, but there is no need to worry, as they are not dangerous or poisonous.

Robbie Doerhoff, Forest Entomologist with the MDC, says that so many cicadas this year is beneficial for the ecosystem. They provide food for many different types of wildlife such as turkeys, fish, and other birds.

Some may worry that they could damage your yard or garden, but Doerhoff says they only eat trees and shrubs in very small amount for a short period of time.

It’s important not to use pesticides to prevent or kill the cicadas as they are harmless and provide nutrition for other wildlife.

The two broods that are emerging together only emerge every 13 and 17 years along with the annual cicadas we see every year.

Unusually warm weather may prompt the cicadas to emerge sooner than they normally would this year.

Although they are loud, and scary looking, the cicadas do not bite or sting. So it’s best to try and not interfere with their natural life cycle as best you can.