Billions of Brood XIV cicadas are emerging across parts of the Eastern United States in a rare and thunderous natural phenomenon that occurs just once every 17 years. States including Georgia, southern Ohio, Kentucky, Massachusetts' Cape Cod, and Long Island, New York, are witnessing the noisy spectacle as periodical cicadas surface en masse after nearly two decades underground, reports AP.
Triggered by spring soil temperatures reaching 64°F (18°C), the cicada nymphs rise through the earth, producing a crunching sound as they march across lawns to climb trees, plants, and even people. There, they begin to molt, shedding their nymphal shells to reveal pale yellow adults with red eyes, three central ocelli, and delicate wings. Within hours, their bodies harden and darken, and they take flight.
The emergence soon becomes a sonic spectacle as male cicadas produce their characteristic high-pitched buzzing calls to attract mates—creating a volume that can leave ears ringing. Though harmless to humans, the sheer numbers and deafening sound make it an unforgettable experience.
After mating, females lay eggs in tree branches and die. The hatched nymphs fall to the ground, burrow beneath the surface, and the 17-year cycle begins anew.
While startling to some, the event is a celebrated part of nature’s rhythm. The mass emergence offers food for wildlife and even humans, and serves as a reminder of the power and beauty of cyclical life in the natural world.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
