You may soon hear cicadas buzzing in Kentucky SHARE LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Seventeen years ago, Smarty Jones won the Kentucky Derby, Ernie Fletcher was the governor of Kentucky and "Seabiscuit" lost the Oscar for Best Picture to "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King." What You Need To Know The cicadas have been underground for 17 years Millions are expected to emerge this month The insects will mate, lay eggs and die within a few weeks The male cicadas attract females through a loud buzzing noise The year 2004 was also the last time one of the largest groups of periodical cicadas, known as “Brood X,” emerged from the ground before mating, laying eggs and dying.