17 Years Ago, Ohio Was Invaded… And It’s About To Happen Again.

They’ve been waiting for 17 years—and soon they will emerge.

They lurk beneath the trees—underground and out of sight—awaiting the perfect, warm spring night. We’ve walked on them for years without notice, but once they’re here they won’t be ignored. They arrive in swarms, crawling up out of the earth in billions. They sing a loud, distinct song. Do you know what they are?

If you guessed cicadas, then you were probably old enough to remember their swarm across Ohio in 1999. Fast forward 17 years to now, and we can anticipate a similar situation here by spring; A cicada singing here. A cicada husk there. Cicadas EVERYWHERE.

According to CicadaMania.com, Brood V cicadas (commonly referred to as 17-year cicadas), will arrive by the billions this spring in Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Once the soil eight inches beneath the ground reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit, (often after a warm rain,) they will emerge. While this usually occurs by mid-May in Ohio, this year’s mild winter may cause them to emerge sooner.

David Remsen/Flickr

Although they take 17 years to emerge, their life span above ground is about six weeks.

Stephen Little/Flickr

In spite of their large size and startling appearance, cicadas cannot bite or sting. Their only defense is emerging by the billions.

Wikimedia Commons

It's common to see hundreds (or even thousands) in the same area.

Wikimedia Commons

James Kirkus-Lamont/Flickr

The Blonde Mule/Flickr

(Basically, everywhere you look in spring/summer of 2016, you're going to find one—or, you know, hundreds.)

For more information about the life of the cicadas and how they emerge, watch the video below:

What do you think of these interesting creatures? Do your remember their last signifiant swarm in Ohio in 1999? Share your thoughts and memories with us in the comments below!