For 17 years they’ve been patiently waiting underground but soon, they’ll emerge. The 17-year cicada – specifically, brood V which was last seen in 1999 – will be making their grand introduction in spring 2016. Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are where this particular brood will emerge in epic proportions.

I know what you’re thinking… I see cicadas every year… and you’re right. There are several different types of cicadas, some of which are annual. The periodical cicadas however, come either every 13 or 17 years. You most likely recall brood X, another 17-year group which swarmed Maryland in 2004. If you don’t remember, let me refresh your memory…

The 17-year cicadas crawl up and out from from the darkness underground. They then find a nice tree to hang out on while they shed their exoskeleton and wait for their new wings and body to harden.
janesays / Flickr
This is what the typical cicada looks like. Its beady red eyes are unsettling to most.
JanetandPhil / Flickr
At first you may not even be aware that the periodical cicadas are back until your cat brings you this "gift."
gillianchicago / Fickr
Next thing you know, they're all over your shrubbery...
Wikimedia Commons

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Trees...
Wikimedia Commons
And OMG now they're invading your house!
James Kirkus-Lamont / Flickr
But you don't have to deal with the millions of cicadas for too long, because their lifespan above ground is only around six weeks. But they leave behind freshly laid eggs in branches...
John Kaminski / Flickr
And their decaying shells and corpses EVERYWHERE. Yay!
Anita Gould / Flickr

Check out this oddly inspiring video for even MORE information about the 17-year cicada.

NOTE: Depending on what region in Maryland you live in, you may see more or less concentrations of this brood. According to CicadaMania.com, the highest concentrations will be around Western Maryland, especially in Garrett County.

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