Cicadas 2024. Science apr 30, 2024 6:01 pm edt. One of the most peculiar of north america’s natural wonders — the synchronized mass mating frenzies of big, obsessed insects called periodical cicadas.
These small winged insects roughly the size of a paperclip emerge at regular intervals in vast hordes known as broods, many millions or billions of individuals. Billions of periodical cicadas have emerged after spending 13 or 17 years underground.