Bensenville residents, the highly anticipated return of periodical cicadas is imminent. Brood XIII, also known as the Northern Illinois Brood, will soon emerge after 17 years, last making an appearance in 2007. This event promises to captivate us with one of the world's largest cicada emergences. Cicadas emerge annually in various parts of the eastern United States, with cycles repeating every 13 to 17 years. This year is particularly noteworthy as two broods are emerging simultaneously, a phenomenon not seen in over two centuries.
Northern Illinois is home to both annual and periodical cicadas. Annual cicadas, known as "dog day cicadas," make their appearance every year from July to September. Periodical cicadas, on the other hand, have longer lifespans, spending 13 or 17 years underground before emerging as adults for a brief 20-25 day period. They are smaller than annual cicadas, reaching a length of approximately 1.5 inches.
What to Expect: Chicago and surrounding areas may witness an astonishing number of cicadas, with up to 1.3 million cicadas per acre in floodplains and 133,000 per acre in upland areas. Late summer may reveal some tree damage from egg-laying, but rest assured, it's a natural pruning process that won't harm the tree's overall health.
Recommendations: While the Village of Bensenville will not be covering trees due to the abundance of small trees on the parkways, residents have the option to do so if desired. It's advisable to refrain from using insecticides on parkway trees, as they are generally ineffective and harmful to beneficial insects. Don't worry, cicadas pose no threat to humans or pets as they do not bite or cause harm.
More Information
