Brood XIII
Encyclopedia
Brood XIII is one of 15 separate broods of periodical cicadas that appear regularly throughout the midwestern United States
. Every 17 years, Brood XIII tunnels en masse to the surface of the ground, lays eggs
, and then dies off in several weeks.
Although entomologist C. L. Marlatt
published an account in 1907 in which he argued for the existence of 30 broods, over the years a number have been consolidated and only 15 are recognized today as being distinct. Brood XIII is among the 12 different broods with 17-year cycles.
Its most recent appearance was in the spring and early summer of 2007, throughout an area roughly enclosed by northern Illinois
, eastern Iowa
, southern Wisconsin
, and a narrow strip of Indiana
bordering Lake Michigan
and Michigan
. It will emerge again in 2024 and 2041.
"The 1½ inch long black bugs do not sting or bite. Once they emerge, they spend their short two-week lives climbing trees, shedding their crunchy skins and reproducing. They can number up to several hundred thousand per acre."
suburb of Highland Park
, there was a concern about how the cicadas might drown out the music at the Ravinia Festival
during May and June, the peak months of cicada activity. According to the Chicago Tribune
, Ravinia adjusted the schedule so that Chicago Symphony Orchestra
(CSO) concerts took place in July, after the outbreak in 2007. Other concerts before this time could have been moved indoors if the noise of the cicadas would have detracted from the music. However, the dates of all concerts, except those for the CSO, took place as scheduled.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Every 17 years, Brood XIII tunnels en masse to the surface of the ground, lays eggs
Egg (biology)
An egg is an organic vessel in which an embryo first begins to develop. In most birds, reptiles, insects, molluscs, fish, and monotremes, an egg is the zygote, resulting from fertilization of the ovum, which is expelled from the body and permitted to develop outside the body until the developing...
, and then dies off in several weeks.
Although entomologist C. L. Marlatt
Charles Lester Marlatt
Charles Lester Marlatt was an American entomologist. Born in 1863 at Atchison, Kansas, he was educated at Kansas State Agricultural College , where he was assistant professor for two years...
published an account in 1907 in which he argued for the existence of 30 broods, over the years a number have been consolidated and only 15 are recognized today as being distinct. Brood XIII is among the 12 different broods with 17-year cycles.
Its most recent appearance was in the spring and early summer of 2007, throughout an area roughly enclosed by northern Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, eastern Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, southern Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, and a narrow strip of Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
bordering Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
and Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. It will emerge again in 2024 and 2041.
"The 1½ inch long black bugs do not sting or bite. Once they emerge, they spend their short two-week lives climbing trees, shedding their crunchy skins and reproducing. They can number up to several hundred thousand per acre."
Ravinia
In the northern ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
suburb of Highland Park
Highland Park, Illinois
Highland Park is a suburban municipality in Lake County, Illinois, United States, about north of downtown Chicago. As of 2009, the population is 33,492. Highland Park is one of several municipalities located on the North Shore of the Chicago Metropolitan Area.-Overview:Highland Park was founded...
, there was a concern about how the cicadas might drown out the music at the Ravinia Festival
Ravinia Park
Ravinia Festival is the oldest outdoor music festival in the United States, with a series of outdoor concerts and performances held every summer from June to September. It has been the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1936...
during May and June, the peak months of cicada activity. According to the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
, Ravinia adjusted the schedule so that Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival...
(CSO) concerts took place in July, after the outbreak in 2007. Other concerts before this time could have been moved indoors if the noise of the cicadas would have detracted from the music. However, the dates of all concerts, except those for the CSO, took place as scheduled.