Certain locations in Illinois are anticipating the springtime emergence of two periodical cicada broods. Brood XIII emerges once every 17 years, and Brood XIX emerges once every 13 years. This year they emerge together.
The roaring sound of cicada tymbals has noticeably quieted. The next generation of periodical cicadas is young and silent. After hatching from eggs laid in trees, they will fall to the ground and tunnel into the earth, where they will live in darkness for years. These days it is the lightning bugs who are putting on a show.
