Why do cicadas come around every 17 years?

Cicadas that emerge every 17 years are part of a specific group known as periodical cicadas, which have synchronized life cycles. This lengthy developmental period allows them to avoid predators that might specialize in eating them, as the sheer numbers that emerge at once overwhelm potential threats. The 17-year cycle is thought to have evolved as a strategic adaptation to environmental factors and predator-prey dynamics, ensuring their survival and reproductive success.