This is the year! It’s the year when “Brood X” will dig their way out of the ground and make their presence known in a big way.
These are the insects we often refer to as “17-year locusts” but they are no locusts.
There are many broods other than “Brood X” and also broods with a 2- to 13-year cycle but this brood seems to have a larger population than the others.
The nymphs live underground eating fluid from tree roots. They emerge in unison to become adults, mate and repeat the cycle.
They’re not the prettiest bug around but they’re certainly not harmful to humans.
Periodical cicadas provide food to just about every type of wildlife. The biggest negative impact is their damage to plants. It’s not like the images on TV of locusts destroying thousands of acres at a time – after all, these are not locusts. The damage comes from them laying their eggs in tender twigs of plants. The twigs may die off along with the flowers or potential fruit and nuts grown from the flowers. This process is indirectly destroying some crops.
So watch, listen and enjoy this rare treat – and don’t get too grossed out!