Being a bug stinks

There are these bugs, secedes. They grow underground for seventeen years, then, one night, all of the larva hatched from eggs laid during the last mating season, seventeen years ago, burst from the ground, climb up a tree, and finally become adults. The next day, many of the bugs are eaten because they aren't very graceful, or smart, or fast, then the survivors mate, the females lay their eggs, then all of them die. Looks like someone got the short end of the stick. Blackwolf770

Could be worse, could be bacteria and just die for one reason or another.

Damn spell check, making me spell words wrong.

You are referring to the periodical cicadas:

Like you said, they only come out once every 17 years.  The last time they came out was the Spring of 2004.  I remember it quite vividly... good times, good times. 

They get laid so hey, its OK.Guiltfeeder566