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Certain parts of the U.S. can expect the buzzy sounds of cicadas this summer because the hordes of Brood IX are expected to emerge for their mating season, which occurs once every 17 years. Per NPR:
“As summer nears, 2020 has another trick up its sleeve. This time, it's cicadas. A lot of cicadas.
In parts of southwestern Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia, it's nearly time for a brood of the insects to emerge for their once-in-17-year mating season. As many as 1.5 million cicadas could emerge per acre. And did we mention the bugs are known for their distinct — and overwhelming — chirping?
"Communities and farms with large numbers of cicadas emerging at once may have a substantial noise issue," predicts Eric Day of Virginia Tech's department of entomology. He tells Virginia Tech Daily, "Hopefully, any annoyance at the disturbance is tempered by just how infrequent — and amazing — this event is."
