Brood X, one of the largest broods of cicadas, is set to emerge after 17 years underground this summer.
The bugs have been lurking beneath the surface since 2004, feeding on sap from the roots of plants, according to Michael J. Raupp, emeritus professor of entomology at the University of Maryland. Once they’re mature, the “big brood” will emerge in 15 states where they’ll spend two to four weeks in late May and early June “courting, mating, flying, driving people crazy, being eaten by everything” including humans like Raupp.