(WWJ) -- Brood X cicadas only emerge from the ground every 17 years, and they are due to arrive in southeast Michigan this month.
Michigan State entomologist Howard Russell told WWJ's Beth Fisher that it’s the male cicadas that are responsible for making that infamous noise, which could be expected to get fairly loud as mating season begins.
“They vibrate this membrane on their abdomen and that makes a very loud buzzing sound,” Russell explained. “For whatever reason, that attracts females.”
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Russell says the noisy insects will only be around the metro Detroit area until the end of June as they conclude their life cycle.
At that point, the Brood X cicadas aren’t expected to return to southeast Michigan until 2038.