Cicadas, cicadas, cicadas, when will it end

First, a look at the 17-year cicadas we are all talking about- BROOD X. They last emerged in 2004, and trillions of them have returned in 2021. When the Brood X cicada last emerged in 2004, it left billions of baby cicadas behind. Periodical cicadas, as they are known, spend most of their lives underground, they go at least eight inches to the soil. Their emergence is controlled genetically. When soil temperatures at a depth of eight inches reach the correct level, they will appear once again every 17 years.

Annual cicadas are always around. They, like their longer-lived relatives who spend a lifetime underground, behave in the same way; emerge, find a temporary tree home, molt, mate and die.

There are an amazing 3,390 different species of cicadas in our world, over 80 reside in California alone!

Every continental state has no less than four species of cicadas.

Importantly, beyond driving many of us crazy as we attempt to enjoy the great outdoors on summer evenings, they really do no harm and serve as a food source for several bird species.