Billions of cicadas are set to reemerge this spring after 17 years in hibernation.
The Brood V cicada species has been underground since 1999 and will buzz about Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio once the soil reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the website CicadaMania.com.
This particular species may prove to be more of a nuisance for western Marylanders, as the cicadas make their appearance in May to mate and lay eggs for a period of four to six weeks. The website says Garrett County could see the bulk of this brood.
Male cicadas can be heard calling to females during the mating ritual. Females will then lay their eggs into tree branches and shrubs, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Once the eggs hatch, they'll head back underground to begin a new 17-year cycle, not to return until 2033.
There are 15 cicada brood cycles operating every 13 to 17 years, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Each cycle is assigned a roman numeral.
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