When are the Brood X cicadas emerging? Facts about the large and loud bugs that have sparked culinary and musical inspiration Billions of the 17-year variety of cicada will rise from the ground in the coming weeks. They are edible, and at least one song has been written in tribute. Author: WTOL Newsroom Updated: 12:58 PM EDT April 14, 2021 TOLEDO, Ohio — Brace yourselves; The cicadas are coming. Lots of them. After 17 years underground, billions of Brood X cicadas are set to emerge across the eastern and midwestern United States in the coming weeks. The buzzing creatures will start to pop up in an area bounded by Illinois to the west, New York to the east, and Georgia to the south.