Periodical cicadas are coming in 2021, but probably not to Missouri.

University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Tamra Reall says Missourians may see some straggler cicadas from other states but not the massive swarms of noisy insects that more eastern states will see. She says the next brood to emerge in Missouri will not appear until 2024.

Periodical cicadas, as opposed to their larger annual counterparts, emerge every 13 or 17 years in late May to early July.
Cicadas are noisy and overwhelming.

This heavy-bodied insect features large, red compound eyes and membranous wings. Adults are an inch long and have a 3-inch wingspan.

While some find them annoying, periodical cicadas are mostly harmless, according to Reall. They might damage young trees when the female deposits her eggs into small stems. You can prevent this by covering with cheesecloth or mosquito netting. Generally, healthy trees will do fine without chemical treatment, she says.

For more information
“Periodical Cicadas in Missouri” (MU Extension publication G7259), extension.missouri.edu/g7259.
“Periodical cicada Brood X (10) will emerge in 15 states in 2021,” CicadaMania.com.