Cicada Emergence 2024 Map. Periodical cicadas are insects that emerge in large numbers every 13 or 17 years, mainly in the eastern and midwestern united states. They spend most of their lives underground as nymphs, feeding on tree roots.

For the first time in 221 years, this spring will see billions, if not trillions, of cicadas. The two cicada broods were projected to emerge in a combined 17 states across the south and midwest.