Billions of cicadas are about to take over the Northeast


Seventeen years ago, President Bill Clinton was acquitted in impeachment proceedings, Bill Gates had just become the richest man in the world due to skyrocketing Microsoft stock, SpongeBob SquarePants debuted, and billions of cicadas buried themselves into the ground beneath the Northeastern United States. While no one will exactly be bringing the '90s back anytime soon, the 17-year cycle cicadas are about to reemerge for the first time into a totally different world.
As temperatures warm, billions of cicadas will begin to crawl out of the ground in Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, Fox News reports. The insects will complete their lifecycles after calling for, and finding, mates, then die after about a month or a month and a half. Three different species make up 2016's "Brood V."
When the cicadas eventually come out, the swarms are so big they create a racket and can be as dense as 1.5 million bugs per acre. But there is still some time yet to buy earplugs: Ground temperatures will need to hit 64 degrees before cicadas emerge to mate and lay their eggs. Then it will be another 17 years — 2033 — before the offspring come out again.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
‘Tariffs at their essence are an income transfer’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Why is Trump backtracking on the Hyundai immigration raid?
Today’s Big Question Backlash threatens investment in US manufacturing
-
The 9 restaurants to eat at this very moment
The Week Recommends They’re award-winning. Isn’t that reason enough?
-
Russia slams Kyiv, hits government building
Speed Read This was Moscow's largest aerial assault since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022
-
China's Xi hosts Modi, Putin, Kim in challenge to US
Speed Read Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Asian leaders at an SCO summit
-
Russian strike on Kyiv kills 23, hits EU offices
Speed Read The strike was the second-largest since Russia invaded in 2022
-
UN votes to end Lebanon peacekeeping mission
Speed Read The Trump administration considers the UN's Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to be a 'waste of money'
-
Israeli double strike on Gaza hospital kills 20
Speed Read The dead include five journalists who worked for The Associated Press, Reuters and Al Jazeera
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
Kyiv marks independence as Russia downplays peace
Speed Read President Vladimir Putin has no plans to meet with Zelenskyy for peace talks pushed by President Donald Trump
-
Trump halts Gaza visas as Israelis protest war
Speed Read Laura Loomer voiced her concerns over injured Palestinian kids being brought to the US for treatment and a potential 'Islamic invasion'