Sustainability Environment

‘They’re heeeree!’: Trillions of cicadas are crawling out of the earth and invading social media

by Jenna Romaine | May 19, 2021 | May. 19, 2021

Story at a glance

  • As Brood X cicadas emerge from underground, people are documenting them on social media.
  • The cicadas are emerging in 15 states and jurisdictions.
  • The brood will emerge in the trillions, covering surfaces en masse and emitting the sounds of a nonstop lawnmower.

Trillions of Brood X cicadas have begun to creep from beneath the earth and swarm above ground, and like most events, the emergence is invading not only the public but also social media.

Emerging from the ground for the first time in 17 years, Brood X cicadas are appearing in 15 states and jurisdictions: Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

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The brood will emerge in large quantities, covering surfaces en masse and emitting the sounds of a nonstop lawnmower.

As the cicadas and people fresh out of quarantine converge outside, it’s being documented on social media.

After the cicadas have spent 17 years underground, and most of the country spent 15 months indoors, it’s hard to say who is more excited to be out and about.

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