Brood X cicadas have begun emerging in Michigan. But the big show is yet to come.

[marmar]

(Detroit Free Press) It took awhile — 17 years — but a unique population of bizarre-looking, flying insects known as Brood X cicadas have finally begun their emergence to the surface in Michigan.

The big show is still to come later in June, when by the millions the cicadas with fire-engine-red eyes take to the trees, the males in a droning, buzzing chorus, trying to attract a mate. But some earlier arrivers have been reported at multiple wooded sites over recent days, particularly around Ann Arbor.

In a phenomenon scientists still don't fully understand, the Brood X cicadas — in southern Michigan, the District of Columbia and 14 other eastern U.S. states — spend 17 years in larval form underground, feeding on the sap of tree roots; then almost in unison emerge in their 17th spring.

Scientific research has shown the soil reaching a temperature of 64 degrees down to 8 inches deep seems to trigger the cicadas to emerge from the ground en masse. They climb into trees, molt into their adult, winged forms, and then it's loud buzzing, mating, laying eggs and dying for about a month. ...........(more)

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/05/28/cicadas-2021-michigan/7471201002/

[Siwsan]

1. I'm wondering how many we will see in the Flint area

I actually found one last year (I THINK it was last year). I had no idea what it was so I shared a picture on DU.

There are some little dime sized holes in several places on my property. Not sure if they are cicada related, or not. I guess time will soon tell.

[marmar]

2. From the map I saw, it seems like mostly the Ann Arbor area and extreme south central Michigan

[Siwsan]

3. Hopefully. Those little creatures really creep me out.

Having to deal with those would put a serious dent in my yard work time.

[luvs2sing]

4. They're out down here in the Columbus area..

but not in town. The metro parks on the north side are full of them, also in Powell, where our daughter lives. Our 5-year old granddaughter was been catching them. Down here by Worthington, we haven’t seen a thing.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

5. If they emerge today, they'll turn around and sleep another 17 years.

What a cold, wet, windy, miseable day. Not fit for cicadas.