'Total invasion' Swarm of 17-year Cicadas projected to emerge in Tennessee this year

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A swarm of 17-year Cicadas is projected to emerge in Tennessee this year.

In fact, theUniversity of Tennessee’s Institute of Agriculture says multiple swarms of 17-year and 13-year Cicadas are projected to emerge in the Volunteer State over the next several years.

The first swarm,Brood X, a 17-year Cicada distribution, is excepted to emerge this year.

When Cicadas come to town – residents know it and it’s something that sticks with them.

“As a kid, we had an island in our driveway because it was circular. There were so many you couldn’t see the grass,” FOX 17 News reporter and Nashville native Alex Apple said. “As a kid, that blows your mind.”

The high-pitched, shrill sounding songs of these insects always creates a buzz.

“It’s a total invasion,” FOX 17 News reporter and Nashville native Harriet Wallace said. “If you’re not from here, you won’t believe it until you see it.”

According to UTIA, two races of periodical Cicadas exist, 13-year and 17-year.

After shedding their skins, the males noisily climb to the treetops, hoping to attract females, who lay their eggs there. Those eggs fall to the ground.

The tiny nymphs that emerge, repeat the cycle, by burrowing underground.

“They’re awful, they’re everywhere, they’re ugly,” longtime Nashvillian and FOX 17 News Sports Anchor Dave Foster said. “They were in the bats, the gloves, the baseball field.”

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2021: Brood X, 17-year Cicadas

Brood X, a 17-year Cicada distribution, last emerged in May 2004, UTIA noted in its map of “Periodical Cicadas.” The department wrote that there was “no significant detections” of the insect in middle and west Tennessee. However, UTIA’s map shows Wilson, Dekalb, Hickman, Wayne, Lincoln and Franklin counties shaded. These Cicadas are expected to re-emerge in 2021.

2024: Brood XIX, 13-year Cicadas

The Brood XIX, a 13-year Cicada, emerged in May 2011 and is expected to make a comeback in 2024. Counties shaded on the map show nearly all of middle Tennessee.

2025: Brood XIV, 17-year Periodical Cicada

Brood XIV, a 17-year periodical Cicada distribution, last emerged in May 2009. They are expected to re-emerge in 2025. UTIA’s map shows 71 Tennessee counties shaded out.

2028: Brood XXIII, 13-year Cicadas

The Brood Brood XXIII 13-year Cicadas last emerged in May 2015 and are projected to re-emerge in 2028. UTIA maps show the insects concentrating in the west part of the state.

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