The Biggest Insect Emergence on the Planet: A Celebration of Natural Wonders
In an extraordinary spectacle that unfolds once every two decades, the Earth awakens to one of nature’s most remarkable phenomena: the emergence of cicadas. After spending a staggering 17 years underground, these elusive creatures break free to grace the landscape in an awe-inspiring display of life and renewal. This year marks a significant milestone, as BBC Earth celebrates 20 years of the iconic “Planet Earth” series by bringing this phenomenon into the spotlight.
The emergence of these insects is not merely a display of numbers; it’s a remarkable event that reveals the intricate cycles of life and the rhythms of our natural world. As millions of cicadas surface, their distinct songs fill the air—a powerful, almost symphonic chorus born from years spent hidden beneath the surface. Their emergence ignites the ecosystem, offering a feast for predators while showcasing their critical role in the food chain.
Narrated by the beloved Sir David Attenborough, this captivating episode dives deep into the life cycle of these extraordinary insects. With stunning cinematography, viewers are taken on a journey through the forests and fields, witnessing firsthand the intricate behaviors and adaptations that have allowed these creatures to thrive in relative secrecy for nearly two decades.
The return of cicadas is not just a testament to their resilience but also a reminder of the delicate balance that sustains life on Earth. This phenomenon not only highlights the wonders of evolution and survival but invites viewers to reflect on the broader implications of biodiversity and conservation. As we celebrate 20 years of “Planet Earth,” we are reminded of the ongoing relationship between humanity and the natural world, and the importance of preserving these delicate ecosystems for future generations.
With its stunning visuals and profound insights, this episode encapsulates the essence of “Planet Earth.” It’s a celebration of nature’s wonders, inviting all to witness a phenomenon that transcends time and captivates the imagination. As these ancient creatures emerge from their long slumber, they remind us of the beauty and complexity of life on our planet—a narrative that continues to unfold with every passing year.
Watch the video by BBC Earth
Video “The Biggest Insect Emergence on the Planet | 20 Years of Planet Earth | BBC Earth” was uploaded on 04/23/2026 to Youtube Channel BBC Earth




































Loved the content, keep it coming!
I love the cicadas; we have them here in eastern Pennsylvania, but their emergence is nothing like what is depicted here. They sing for mates, and their singing goes on for a few days at most. I wish it happened every year!
seen a squirrel eat one at a campground boy they are noisy
My husband and I used to live in a home in Virginia that was the location of a big "hatch out" of cicadas and it was fascinating to watch – and hear! I smiled all the way through this video, as it brought back great memories! Friend would come over to watch them crawl up the trees, and on the back wall of our home.
If annual cicadas exist alongside 17-year ones, do predators in those regions actually gain a “training advantage,” or are the periodic swarms still too overwhelming to matter?
I eat them raw & alive or dead then fried. They are all over the place, they land on you – hair, face, arms, back, legs, etc. One almost few right into my mouth. They cling to the house.
为什么没有人抓来吃呢?非常好吃。
St. Louis and surrounding areas had a bumper crop of 17-year cicadas in 2024. I haven't had any luck using them as fishing bait. I do wish I had saved a bunch by freezing them for the upcoming winter so the birds and critters could have had some healthy protein through the cold months. Lord knows I could have filled my freezer! Love Sir David's voice. He's funny and his voice is so relaxing!
This is one of natures most fascinating events. I have experienced them a few times in Maryland. The don't eat but do drink water. They eventually lay their eggs in the smaller twigs (as well as any other limb) at the outside of the trees. The twigs die fall to the ground and the eggs become larva and escape to the ground and live off root juices. The tree looks like they are dying BUT this is natures way of pruning the limbs. The forest echoes with their drumming. Birds eat them and many only manage to eat the back end of the cicada body. The front can continue to fly for great distances. Then as quick as the arrive they disappear and the forests continue in the routine animal/insect noises.
How do all the eggs get underground for the next cycle?
Pro tip, if these emerge from your yard spread fescue seed down couple days later… free aeration.
In Israel?
What an incredible planet we get to live on!
Still way fewer bugs than in Windows 11
Imagine how may got trapped under concrete and steel
This is a very curious life cycle. I mean, it could be 17 months instead, or weeks. To live some… days, the ones that make it? At first glance, one could say it does not pay off. At least for the cicadas.
Sometimes life feels like the more impersonal thing of all. Meaning, it will thrive as a whole, no matter what.
I was in South Georgia during the 2024 brood emergence.
The SCREAMS lasted for weeks, day and night , I wish I could post videos in comments for y’all to hear them.
1:00 i think one of them opened up a little bit too early
They emerge every year, don't lie old man😂😂😂
Early stage Tyranid invasion.
Merly thousands u say…
Had this in my neighborhood growing up, and when my friends and I went on a bike ride, all you can hear is crunch because their bodies lined the roads and sidewalks
As Peter Gregory pointed out, Sesame Seeds
20 years underground, not a peep
17 years cycle. wow
be cicada
lies dormant and useless in Mama's basement for 17 years
leaves one day and climbs to the highest building in sight
removes your clothing of 17 years
SCREAMS FOR SEX
gets sex
dies with purpose
Wait ooh does it mean it takes them 17 years to hatch the eggs?
A perfect representation of how pointless life is
👋🫶
Its an unusual lifecycle may be the first thing to call attention. Here's another view on their vitality, & perhaps an unusually good luck. As an anti-predator strategy, marvelous. It takes a certain risk outside ecology. Geological catastrophes could wipe them out in a single season as the worst case scenario. Under extremely harsh environmental stress, they may have little, if any, reservation for a new generation. So, they may have, & actually might have, a unique vulnerability. The fact that they've survived so far even against such odds. Amazing.