Sentence:  Last spring, the periodical <WSD>cicadas</WSD> emerged across eastern North America. Their vast numbers and short above-ground life spans inspired awe and irritation in humans—and made for good meals for birds and small mammals. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Any of several insects in the superfamily Cicadoidea, with small eyes wide apart on the head and transparent well-veined wings.