SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – 2024 has been dubbed the year of the cicada, and for good reason. Millions upon millions of noisy bugs will be emerging from the ground. While parts of the U.S. will see a rare double-brood emerging, the Ozarks will only experience Brood 19.

There will be an army of cicadas, but Missouri Department of Conservation’s Francis Skalicky says they are harmless.

“Anytime something like this happens, there is a worry factor involved. This is not something to worry about. They don’t sting, they don’t bite, and they do minimal damage to trees,” explains Skalicky.

The nuisance factor won’t last long, as the 13-year cicada invasion will be short-lived across the Ozarks.

The full article is available at ozarksfirst.com.

(Story by Natalie Nunn, ozarksfirst.com)