Millions of Cicadas Are Expected to Emerge After 17 Years Underground Because, of Course, It’s 2020

Cicadas cling to a tree in a forest preserve in Willow Springs, Ill., on June 11, 2007. The cicada is one of millions in the area that have emerged from the ground and taken to the trees during the past couple of weeks, part of a 17-year hatch cycle. Scott Olson/Getty Images

As if we didn’t have enough to worry about with giant murder hornets invading the United States and a global pandemic, millions of 17-year cicadas will emerge from the ground this year.

As many as 1.5 million cicadas per acre may emerge, and people living in Southwest Virginia, parts of North Carolina, and West Virginia could witness this unique phenomenon, Virginia Tech says in a news release.