It’s been 17 years since that familiar drone of the cicada has been heard in Georgia. But it’s about to come back in full force.

What’s known as the Brood VI Cicada (more commonly the 17-year cicada) has been lurking under Georgia soil since the year 2000. And in a few short months, once the temperature again becomes warm enough, they will emerge in millions to various parts of the southeast.

When the time is right, cicadas come up from the ground in order to mate and lay eggs.
Leslie/flickr
Conditions for them emerging must be incredibly specific. They’ll begin to appear once temperatures 8 inches underground reach 64 degrees.
Wikimedia Commons
In a bizarre yet fascinating phenomenon, these creatures will shed their outer skeleton as an important stage of their six-week above-ground lifespan.
Chace Nelson/flickr
Despite looking a bit alien-like, these large insects are totally harmless. That is, of course, if you don’t mind their buzzing.
iLike.sky/flickr
The drone of their infamous mating calls can actually be heard from up to a mile away.
jessicakelly/flickr
Once the female lays her eggs in the trees, they’ll eventually fall to the ground where the nymphs will take their turn with the 17-year-long nap.
Roni/flickr
After that, all will return to normal. That is…until the year 2023.
Chace Nelson/flickr

What do you recall from the year 2000 cicada invasion? Be sure to share your thoughts with us!

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