Huge Insect to Emerge From 17-Year Slumber and Wreak Havoc Across Several States



An annoying “alien-like” insect is set to emerge from a 17-year slumber and wreak havoc across multiple states. Billions of “Brood XIV” cicadas are currently tunneling out of their underground homes, ready to swarm across 13 states by spring, including Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The timing of their emergence can be unpredictable, but typically the bugs begin to crawl out when the ground warms to 64º F, usually between April and June for most areas. Male cicadas cause chaos by making a high-pitched buzzing noise that’s as loud as a lawn mower and designed to attract females. Last year, the bugs were so noisy that Americans called 911 to complain. When they finally emerge after spending more than a decade underground sipping on tree root juices, the periodic cicadas do bring ecological benefits, including being a valuable food source for birds and other predators. The burrows dug by young nymphs to feed on sap also aerate laws and improve water filtration to the ground. Once they emerge, cicadas are active for 4-6 weeks before they vanish just as quickly as they came. Despite their noisy nature, they’re relatively tame.