Brood XIV

Every 17 years, the cicadas of Brood XIV tunnel en masse to the surface of the ground, mate, lay eggs, and then die off in several weeks.

Although entomologist C. L. Marlatt published an account in 1907 in which he argued for the existence of 30 broods, over the years a number have been consolidated and only 15 are recognized today as being distinct.

Once they emerge, they spend their short two-week lives climbing trees, shedding their crunchy skins and reproducing.

In 2008 in Massachusetts, Brood XIV severely damaged trees in Mashpee and Falmouth.

That same year in North Carolina, the hatching caused major damage to many residential trees and small-scale non-industrial orchards, especially around Asheville.