A Deep Dive Into Brood X with the Cincinnati Zoo’s Mandy Pritchard
If you lived in Cincinnati in 2004, you probably remember the sound — a deafening, otherworldly hum that filled the air, sidewalks littered with crunchy shells, and windshields covered in bugs. That was the last great emergence of Brood X cicadas. Seventeen years later, they’re back — and at TopKickClubs, we’re celebrating in our own way: with cicada-themed T-shirts.
Episode 168: The Cicada Story
On Episode 168 of the TopKickClubs Podcast, we sat down with Mandy Pritchard, insect expert and keeper at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, to explore what makes these periodical cicadas so fascinating — and why this rare natural spectacle is truly once in a generation.
Meet the Brood
Brood X (pronounced “ten”) is one of the largest and most famous 17-year cicada broods. Unlike the cicadas that appear every summer, Brood X cicadas spend nearly two decades underground as nymphs, feeding on tree roots before finally emerging for one unforgettable season of buzzing, mating, and astonishing the public.
Mandy breaks down the science behind their bizarre life cycle and explains the evolutionary strategy that makes their emergence successful. “They overwhelm predators by sheer numbers,” she says. “There are simply too many cicadas for predators to eat.”
Bugs, Myths & Music
No cicada story is complete without talking about their sound. If you’ve never experienced the full cicada chorus, prepare yourself for something both magical and overwhelming. Mandy explains how males create their distinct mating calls, how each species has its own song, and why the noise is part of their survival strategy.
The episode also clears up myths: cicadas don’t bite or sting, and they’re far from dangerous. They’re not here to ruin your picnic — just to sing, mate, and enjoy a few weeks in the trees.
Life at the Zoo & Insect Education
Beyond cicadas, Mandy shares stories from her work at the Zoo’s World of the Insect exhibit, one of the largest insect-focused displays in North America. Her passion for bugs is contagious, and she highlights how insects play a critical role in ecosystems — from pollination to decomposition.
For many people, cicadas can even be the “gateway bug” that sparks a lifelong interest in the natural world.
Why TopKickClubs Made Cicada Shirts
At TopKickClubs, we couldn’t let such an extraordinary event pass without celebrating it the way we do best: with unique shirts. Our Cicada Collection features vintage-inspired designs, playful wordplay, and even glow-in-the-dark graphics that capture Cincinnati’s buzzing summer moment.
After all, Brood X only comes once every 17 years — and around here, we’ll always find a reason to put that on a shirt.
