This Spring, Millions Of Cicadas Are Set To Emerge In Indiana After 17 Years Underground

Well, folks, it's that time of year - well, that time of the century - again. It's going to be one of those years, where we're serenaded with the sounds of (literally) billions of cicadas. Some folks find the sounds insufferable, but others seem to find a certain comfort in the constant buzzing of the little fellas. One thing is for sure: Spring 2021 is going to be chock full of them!

This year is the year that countless members of "Periodical Cicada Brood X" will emerge from their underground slumber.

These cicadas, often referred to as "locusts" despite the fact that they are not true locusts, begin popping up from the depths once the soil around 8 inches beneath the surface reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit. This usually occurs after a nice, warm spring rainstorm.

Despite the fact that these critters emerge only every 17 years, they seem to have an affinity for the number 15 as well: they'll be visiting 15 states this year and at least 15 different locations around Indiana.

Some states affected by the coming cicada wave include neighboring Illinois and Kentucky. Some notable areas of the Hoosier state that can expect to hear the familiar buzzing include Indianapolis, French Lick, Bloomington, Nashville, and more.

When it comes to insects, cicadas might be pretty loud, but they're ultimately harmless.

In fact, if you'd like to summon some tiny minions to be at your beck and call, you can try mowing the lawn or using a weed-whacker in the afternoon; cicadas tend to think the sound of lawn equipment is noise from other cicadas, and they'll usually come to say hello by perching on the shoulders of the equipment user. They don't bite, and sometimes they can be kind of cute (okay, maybe not really...maybe).

The last time 17-year-cicadas emerged in Indiana and surrounding states was in 2004.

They come out around mid-May and continue to gather through June. They're not to be confused with the little green cicadas that visit us every year - these guys are special. After all, 17 years is a long time to hide underground, right?

Interestingly, some of these little guys have a weird internal clock and came out early; there was a short wave of some of these cicadas which emerged in 2017, and a few more in 2020.

Those years won't have anything on 2021, though. Expect literal billions of cicadas this spring; they show up in enormous numbers for a clever reason. When there are too many of them to even count, predators are outnumbered and any losses can be easily made up for.

The cicadas of Brood X are relatively large insects with black, orange, and red bodies.

Usually, their eyes are red, but sometimes you'll find a unique specimen with white, gray, blue, or even multi-colored eyes. They've got five eyes and sometimes they seem to be looking right through you - you know, like when you just want to mow your lawn in peace.

One thing seems to be for sure: Indiana summers just wouldn't be what they are without that ever-familiar buzzing in the background of everything you do.

We feel like they're much more soothing than obnoxious; to us, they mean the return of good times with good friends, afternoon swims, hiking, and light showers.

Intriguingly, there is also a species of cicadas that emerge every 13 years. It's an immensely rare treat to be alive for years during which both the 13 and 17-year varieties emerge; the next time this serendipitous event occurs, it'll be the year 2115. For some reason, we have doubts that we'll be able to catch that one.