Ode to Cicadas
Every 17 years, the notorious Brood X periodical cicadas crawl out of the earth by the billions to deafen Washington, D.C., After nearly two decades underground, they spend their few short weeks in the sun singing, mating, and dying so the next generation can start anew. The cicadas' distinctive sound and strange life cycle have captivated our human ancestors for millennia, inspiring songs, art, royal attire, and even some unique burial rituals.
From the Collections
There are about 3,000 species of cicadas worldwide and they all have a similar life cycle.