TULSA, Okla. — For the first time in more than 200 years, two different types of periodical cicadas will emerge in the Midwest at the same time.
This has led to some social media rumors that this will bring a “cicada-pocalypse” for several states including Oklahoma.
But the Tulsa master gardeners want you to know they are not expecting that to happen here in Oklahoma.
FOX23 spoke to a Tulsa horticulturist about what we can expect this year with our cicadas.
“Here in Oklahoma, we have annual cicadas that emerge every year, but we also have periodical cicadas that stay underground for 13 or 17 years,” said Brian Jervis with the Tulsa County OSU Extension Center. “In some states, both of these broods will emerge at the same time.”
“Everybody is saying apocalypse for cicada or lots of insects are going to happen,” Jervis continued. “Yeah that could happen, but just not here in Oklahoma”
Jervis said the sound of cicadas can be quite beautiful, but some fear it could be deafening this year due to two different types of periodical cicadas emerging at the same time in the Midwest for the first time in more than two centuries.