periodical cicada

noun

1. seventeen-year locust.

Word History and Origins

Origin of periodical cicada¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

He’d noticed that back then, the periodical cicadas had a W on each wing, an obvious harbinger of war.

From Washington Post

The periodical cicadas crawling out of the soil are part of Brood X, a group that erupts once every 17 years when the soil reaches about 64 degrees.

From Vox

The current generation of periodical cicadas, Brood X, offers new fodder for scientists to study this unusual fungus.

From Washington Post

In one column that month, I mused on the reasons periodical cicadas were put on earth and decided that at least one purpose must be to provide lazy columnists something to write about.

From Washington Post

Brood X is the largest and most widespread group of periodical cicadas in the United States.

From Time

Among insects that attack roots, the periodical cicada (17 year old locust) may be noted.

From Project Gutenberg