At the end of April, it is estimated 213 billion cicadas will emerge in Monroe County.
Brood X, one of the largest groups of periodical cicadas and known for its loud mating call, will come out of the ground across the Eastern United States after 17 years spent underground.
Armin Moczek, IU professor of biology, said this group of cicadas will be massive, with half a trillion cicadas emerging in Indiana, starting in late April or early May.
“It is the godzilla of geographical cicadas,” Moczek said.
While most cicadas have a two to four year life cycle, about three cicada species have a 13 to 17 year life cycle, including Brood X.
Different broods have a different geographical expansion. Brood X will appear across the Eastern U.S., with dense populations appearing across Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and parts of Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
