Cicadas Return After 17 Years

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Get ready, Tennessee, because millions of 17-year cicadas are about to make their grand entrance. 

Brood Fourteen, last seen in two thousand eight, will emerge when soil temperatures hit 64 degrees, expected in late April to early May. 

These loud but harmless insects will be seen across the state, especially in East Tennessee. While their buzzing may be intense, it serves a good purpose. 

Professor Midhula Gireesh of the UT Department of Entomology told News 12 that the noises they make are “through the organs called temples that they have. It’s actually the mating calls for females. The males are the only Cicadas that can make this annoying sound, like the sound they attract the females.”

Experts say they’ll disappear in about six weeks, just enough time to mate, lay eggs, and start the cycle all over again.