Billions of cicadas emerged across the southeastern United States this spring in a natural phenomenon known as a “super brood.”

Known as the “Great Southern Brood” or “Brood XIX,” this group emerges once every 13 years when soil temperatures reach about 64 degrees F. The insects are active above ground for six to eight weeks, mate and lay eggs in trees, then die.

“The University of Alabama Museum is a great place to visit,” said Dr. John Abbott, entomologist and chief curator of research and collections at the University of Alabama Museum. Provided insight These creatures seem to have taken over the state in just a few weeks.

“They're harmless. They can't bite,” Abbott said. “They can grab you if you pick them up, but they won't cause you any pain or harm.”

Abbott pointed out that cicadas are not as much of a threat to plants and crops as some believe.

“Despite their high populations, they have been feeding underground on tree roots for the past 13 years. The adults feed on tree sap but only in rare circumstances do they actually harm trees.”

As for the incessant buzzing, Abbott assured concerned people that the volume the insects make is not dangerous to humans.

“I don't think it would affect your hearing, but you could hear loud noises during a major disaster,” Abbott said. “I've heard things up to 100 decibels, which is about the same as standing next to a lawnmower engine.”

He also dispels the myth that copperheads are attracted by the mere sound of cicadas.

“The sound doesn't matter, but the presence of the cicadas may. Periodical cicadas appear in large numbers to satisfy their predators. Their large numbers keep predators satisfied, but most cicadas survive and continue to reproduce. Their large numbers (think an all-you-can-eat buffet) can attract predators such as raccoons, coyotes, birds and snakes.”

“Copperheads eat cicadas, so having lots of them makes them more attractive to snakes.”

Austin Shipley is a staff writer for Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on X. @Shipley Austin