Iconic Moment of the Week: Cicadas

After 17 years of living underground, the Brood X cicadas are out and living their best lives. While cicadas are harmless, they can cause significant problems in swarms.

Today, the White House Press plane broke down because cicadas infested its auxiliary power unit. The reporters had to wait an additional six hours for a new aircraft for their flight to England.

Cicadas are also responsible for a car accident in Cincinnati when a cicada flew in the driver's face, causing them to veer off the road (the driver did not sustain significant injuries).

Why are there so many cicadas? It is a defense mechanism for the chirping insects. Scientists believe cicadas wait underground for all of those years to have enough cicadas survive mating. Cicadas have so many predators that by emerging all at once, they will let their predators eat them until they are full and still have leftover cicadas to mate.

If you see a swarm of cicadas in the wild, DO NOT CALL THE COPS. DO NOT CALL EXTERMINATORS. DO NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT (this is my strategy will all bugs). Just back away slowly and give up the space they are in; they won.

Don't worry; the cicada season is almost over. There only emerge 4-6 weeks and should be gone by the end of June. Until then, lock your doors and seel off your press planes.