'Biblical' plague coming to Washington

No, it's not lobbyists. It's not political reporters. It's not summer interns. It's cicadas. (Link courtesy RandomWalks)

For those who are tired of the Washington Post's registration screen, here's the whole article (it's not long):

Infestation of Brood X Cicadas Forecast

Millions of cicadas are expected to infest the nation's capital and parts of Maryland and Virginia this spring. Periodical cicadas, who've been underground for 17 years, will tunnel out of the ground, fling their winged bodies through the air and sound off day and night. Bug experts say their coming will be of biblical proportions.

Some cicadas emerge annually in the eastern United States. Others come out every two to 13 years. But this variety, known as Brood X, invades every 17 years.

The last time they covered the Washington area was in 1987, when remnants of cicadas covered roadways and sidewalks. Residents pulled them out of their hair. And the bugs drove some outdoor events, such as weddings and graduations, inside.

When exactly they emerge will depend on the weather.

The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History is planning a cicada exhibit in May, complete with sounds and live specimens.

I can't wait for Al Franken to go on the air about that.