Cicadas are insects that are known for their distinctive loud and long mating calls. They are found in many parts of the world, but are most commonly found in North America, particularly in the eastern United States. Cicadas have a unique life cycle, where they spend most of their life underground, typically 13 or 17 years, before emerging to mate and reproduce.The emergence of cicadas is known as a 'brood' and different broods emerge in different years. The most well-known broods are the 'periodical cicadas' that emerge on a 13 or 17 year cycle. These broods are divided into different groups known as 'Brood X', 'Brood IX', 'Brood XIII' and so on. This year (2023) is the emergence year of Brood X, which is one of the largest and most widespread broods, with cicadas expected to appear in parts of 15 states in the Eastern United States.Cicadas are not harmful to humans or animals, they do not bite or sting and their presence is more of a nuisance than a danger. They are also known to be edible and some people enjoy eating them as delicacy.Cicadas emerge from the ground during the warm months of the year, usually around May and June. They are most active during the day, and you can hear their distinctive calls during the hot summer months. After mating and reproducing, the adults will die, leaving behind the next generation of cicadas to begin their underground development.In conclusion, Cicadas are insects that are known for their distinctive loud and long mating calls. They are found in many parts of the world, but are most commonly found in North America, particularly in the eastern United States. Cicadas have a unique life cycle, where they spend most of their life underground, typically 13 or 17 years, before emerging to mate and reproduce. This year (2023) is the emergence year of Brood X, which is one of the largest and most widespread broods, with cicadas expected to appear in parts of 15 states in the Eastern United States. Cicadas are not harmful to humans or animals, they do not bite or sting and their presence is more of a nuisance than a danger.