Trillions of cicadas are about to emerge from 15 Eastern states

Trillions of cicadas are about to emerge from 15 Eastern states. Scientists say Brood X is one of the biggest for these bugs, which emerge only once every 17 years.

Section:Gallery

Mon., May 10, 2021

An adult cicada is seen in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Trillions of cicadas are about to emerge from 15 states in the U.S. East.

Carolyn Kaster Associated Press
An adult cicada hangs upside down just after shedding its nymphal skin, early Wednesday, May 5, 2021, on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. The cicadas of Brood X, trillions of red-eyed bugs singing loud sci-fi sounding songs, can seem downright creepy. Especially since they come out from underground only ever 17 years.

Carolyn Kaster Associated Press
Translucent wing of an adult cicada just after shedding its nymphal skin early Wednesday, May 5, 2021, on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. The cicadas of Brood X, trillions of red-eyed bugs singing loud sci-fi sounding songs, can seem downright creepy. Especially since they come out from underground only ever 17 years.

Carolyn Kaster Associated Press
A dirt-covered cicada nymph crawls up, Sunday, May 2, 2021, in Frederick, Md. The cicadas of Brood X, trillions of red-eyed bugs singing loud sci-fi sounding songs, can seem downright creepy. Especially since they come out from underground only ever 17 years.

Carolyn Kaster Associated Press
An adult cicada hangs upside down on a tulip tree leaf in Washington, Thursday, May 6, 2021. The cicadas of Brood X, trillions of red-eyed bugs singing loud sci-fi sounding songs, can seem downright creepy. Especially since they come out from underground only ever 17 years.

Carolyn Kaster Associated Press
An adult cicada begins to shed its nymphal skin, Tuesday, May 4, 2021, on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. The cicadas of Brood X, trillions of red-eyed bugs singing loud sci-fi sounding songs, can seem downright creepy. Especially since they come out from underground only ever 17 years.

Carolyn Kaster Associated Press
A dirt covered cicada nymph is seen Sunday, May 2, 2021, in Frederick, Md. The cicadas of Brood X, trillions of red-eyed bugs singing loud sci-fi sounding songs, can seem downright creepy. Especially since they come out from underground only ever 17 years.

Carolyn Kaster Associated Press
An adult cicada is seen, in Washington, Thursday, May 6, 2021. The cicadas of Brood X, trillions of red-eyed bugs singing loud sci-fi sounding songs, can seem downright creepy. Especially since they come out from underground only ever 17 years.

Carolyn Kaster Associated Press
The abdomen of a cicada nymph stick out of mulch and soil, Sunday, May 2, 2021, in Frederick, Md. Trillions of cicadas are about to emerge from 15 states in the U.S. East. The cicadas of Brood X, trillions of red-eyed bugs singing loud sci-fi sounding songs, can seem downright creepy. Especially since they come out from underground only ever 17 years.

Carolyn Kaster Associated Press
An adult cicada sheds its nymphal skin, early Wednesday, May 5, 2021, on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. The cicadas of Brood X, trillions of red-eyed bugs singing loud sci-fi sounding songs, can seem downright creepy. Especially since they come out from underground only ever 17 years.

Carolyn Kaster Associated Press
An adult cicada rests after shedding its nymphal skin on the bark of an oak tree early Wednesday on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. Trillions of cicadas are about to emerge from 15 states in the U.S. East.

Carolyn Kaster Associated Press
An adult cicada is seen, in Washington, Thursday, May 6, 2021. Trillions of cicadas are about to emerge from 15 states in the U.S. East. The cicadas of Brood X, trillions of red-eyed bugs singing loud sci-fi sounding songs, can seem downright creepy. Especially since they come out from underground only ever 17 years.

Carolyn Kaster Associated Press
A cicada nymph crawls Sunday, May 2, 2021, in Frederick, Md. The cicadas of Brood X, trillions of red-eyed bugs singing loud sci-fi sounding songs, can seem downright creepy. Especially since they come out from underground only ever 17 years.

Carolyn Kaster Associated Press
A cicada turret is seen at he base of an oak tree Tuesday, May 4, 2021, on the University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md. Cicada nymphs create turrets above the tunnel hole where they eventually emerge. Trillions of cicadas are about to emerge from 15 states in the U.S. East. Scientists say Brood X (as in ten, not the letter) is one of the biggest for these bugs which come out only once every 17 years.

Carolyn Kaster Associated Press