ABC7 Chicago Cicada-Cast 2024 breaks down latest on Illinois emergence

There are 2 kinds of broods making their debut in Illinois right now
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
CHICAGO (WLS) -- There's been plenty of buzz about cicadas for months, and they're finally here.

There are two kinds of broods making their debut in Illinois right now.
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RELATED: When will the cicadas emerge? Chicago, Northern Illinois will see billions of noise-making bugs soon

For the first time in 221 years, both the 13-year and 17-year cicadas are emerging at the same time.

Chicago cicada invasion 2024: What to know about these loud, unique insects

But that double brood emergence can only be seen in a small section of the state, just north of Champaign and Springfield.

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In the Chicago area, the 17-year cicadas, along with the much larger annual, or Dog Day cicadas, are expected.

RELATED: What trees do cicadas like? How to protect your young, vulnerable plants from double brood emergence

Meteorologists Tracy Butler and Larry Mowry break it all down with some of Chicago's leading bug experts during Cicada-Cast 2024.

ABC7 Cicada-Cast 2024 breaks down latest on IL emergence


In-studio guests include Jim Louderman, insect division collections assistant at the Field Museum, and Spencer Campbell, the plant clinic manager at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle.

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Illinois Cicada Events


Meet a Scientist: Dr. Maureen Turcatel - Wednesday, May 15
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Meet a Scientist - Grainger Science Hub (Field Museum)

Meet a Scientist: Jim Louderman - Tuesday, May 21
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Meet a Scientist - Grainger Science Hub (Field Museum)

Cicada Pinning Workshop: - Wednesday, May 29
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7 - 9 p.m. - Cicada Pinning Workshop (Field Museum) - Tickets available here

In this after-hours special event, our Field scientists will lead you through the process of pinning a cicada with museum-grade materials and expertise. Come for the experience and leave with a beautiful piece of art.

Meet a Scientist: Alissa Doucet & Abigail Magland - Thursday, May 30
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Meet a Scientist - Grainger Science Hub (Field Museum)

Meet a Scientist: Tatiana Sepulveda, Diego Souza - Wednesday, June 5
11 a.m.- 1 p.m. - Meet a Scientist - Grainger Science Hub (Field Museum)

Bug Bites - Tuesday, June 11

5 - 8 p.m. - Big Star West Town (551 N Ogden, Chicago)









Tantalize your taste buds with adventurous bites created by Big Star's chefs-- think grasshopper tacos, ant mole, and more. The Field's scientists will be at the restaurant with a live bug zoo and insects from the museum's collection to keep the bug love going. The evening is first come, first serve or you can reserve seats ahead of time here.

Meet a Scientist: Diego Souza, Tatiana Sepulveda - Wednesday, June 12
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Meet a Scientist - Grainger Science Hub (Field Museum)

Meet a Scientist: Elizabeth Postema - Thursday, June 20

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Meet a Scientist - Grainger Science Hub (Field Museum)

Meet a Scientist: Bruno de Medeiros - Wednesday, June 26
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Meet a Scientist - Grainger Science Hub (Field Museum)

PlayLab PlayDate: Cicadas Take Flight Storytime & Craft - Wednesday, June 26
11 a.m. - noon - Crown Family PlayLab (Field Museum)
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The Crown Family PlayLab will be hosting a PlayLab PlayDate featuring cicadas! Families with 2-6 year olds are invited to this free, drop-in storytime and craft session exploring the cicada emergence taking place this spring and summer.

All Meet a Scientist programs are free with general museum admission. Admission information to Bug Bites and the Cicada Pinning Workshop can be found here.

Humane Indiana Open House
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 25
570 N. 450 E. Valparaiso, Indiana 46383

Blaum Brothers Distilling Co. & Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation
June 1 at Blaum Bros Distilling, Main St., Galena, Illinois
June 2 at Casper Bluffs Nature Preserve, 870 Pilot Knob Road, Galena, Illinois, 61036

Harold Washington Library
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 8
0 S State St. Chicago, Illinois 60605

Ryerson Woods Cicada Fest
Noon to 4 p.m. June 9
21950 Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods, Illinois 60015

Music Box Theater
6:30 to 9 p.m. June 12
3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, Illinois 606131 -- will be showing "Mothra"

What to expect as Illinois cicadas emerge
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