Brood X is almost here. Billions of cicadas to emerge in eastern US Love is in the air this spring in the eastern United States, where billions of cicadas will soon appear in the biggest emergence event since 2004. The insects are part of a group called Brood X — also known as the Great Eastern Brood — which is expected in a geographical range stretching from Tennessee to New York. These cicadas have been subterranean for 17 years, tunneling and feeding beneath the soil. When they are back above ground, finding a mate will be, understandably, a top priority. The loud, buzzing drone cicadas make is actually a mating song emitted by male insects, flexing a drumlike organ called a tymbal.