By the Numbers: Cicada clamor

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Historic emergence of two cicada broods will make for a noisy start to summer

Illustration by Krieg Barrie

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221 years

The last time that the 13-year Brood XIX, the largest group of periodical cicadas, emerged in the same year as the 17-year Brood XIII. The insects live for years underground until surfacing every 13 or 17 years during May and June to seek mates, making a noisy racket in the process.

4

The number of counties around Springfield, Ill., where the two major cicada broods might overlap in certain isolated areas, increasing the cacophony, according to the University of Illinois Extension office.

1 million

The conservative estimate proffered by University of Connecticut entomologists of cicada density per acre in areas where the bugs are present.

90 decibels

The approximate loudness of periodical cicadas, making the insects as loud as a lawnmower or motorcycle.

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