Once every 17 years: The periodical cicadas arrive

In 2016, the 17-year cicadas of Brood V hatched in eastern Ohio and nearby territory. The emergence (after the cicadas spent 17 years underground, growing from tiny to an inch-and-a-half long) involves billions of the insects, relatives of aphids. In some places there are as many as 200 per square yard.
They're harmless and actually beneficial. They're even edible, except near coal-fired powerplants, where they absorb dangerous levels of mercury.
These were photographed on College Green at Ohio University in Athens.

In 2016, the 17-year cicadas of Brood V hatched in eastern Ohio and nearby territory. The emergence (after the cicadas spent 17 years underground, growing from tiny to an inch-and-a-half long) involves billions of the insects, relatives of aphids. In some places there are as many as 200 per square yard. They're harmless and actually beneficial. They're even edible, except near coal-fired powerplan…  (read more)

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