Exploring the rare and fascinating emergence of billions of Periodical Cicadas after years spent underground, culminating in a synchronized mating ritual and mass appearance in Illinois and other states.
The last time these exact cicada broods emerged from the ground at the same time, Thomas Jefferson was president. The red-eyed bugs come out looking for love and change forest ecosystems forever. Vox’s Benji Jones thinks it’s magical.
This show was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Herman, and hosted by Rebeca Ibarra.
Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast
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