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they're referred to as broods, and more than a dozen states will experience these two types of cicadas at the same time, which liesch says will create a much louder and at times annoying noise. >> you see a grove of trees behind us with singing male cicadas, that might be in the range of 70 to 80 decibels, which could be similar to a vacuum cleaner. but if you are really close, it could be more in the range of 90 to 100 decibels, which is really, really loud. >> reporter: while the noise from cicadas can be a little disruptive, overall they do produce some environmental benefits, such as being a valuable food source for insects and other predators, as well as improving water filtration into the ground. >> that is going to be very similar impacts to if you paid to have your lawn aerated. >> reporter: the cicadas are expected in big numbers. hundreds of trillions of them, maybe more, across 16 states. for cbs news, emily fannon, madison, wisconsin. straight ahead on the "cbs
so rare it hasn't happened since 1803. for all you history buffs that's the same year napoleon sold the louisiana territory to thomas jefferson. here's emily fannon of our cbs affiliate wdjt in milwaukee. >> reporter: around mid-may cicada noise will be in full swing. and while this high-pitched buzzing occurs every year throughout the midwest, experts say this year will be unique due to a rare emergence of cicadas that hasn't happened since the 1800s. >> we just had that solar eclipse recently. you only have so many opportunities in your life to see and witness something like that. and the cicadas are very similar. >> reporter: pj liesch is an extension entomologist at university of wisconsin, madison. he is also referred to as the wisconsin bug guy. >> these are the cicadas we'll be seeing emerge in large numbers this year. >> reporter: parts of southern wisconsin will experience these periodical cicadas, which only emerge every 13 or 17 years, a cycle scientists don't have a clear answer for.
Wisconsin holds the dubious honor of being the worst state in the nation for wrong-way driving fatalities. While several factors, including some bad traffic engineering and our aging population, play