This study uncovers a surprising link between cicadas and shorter lifespans, not because of the insects themselves, but because of the pesticide surges triggered by their emergence. In areas with heavy apple farming, the arrival of 13- and 17-year cicada broods led to a spike in pesticide use, exposing nearby pregnant women and young children. The result: boys born during these years in high-risk counties lived up to 10 months less as adults. While the effect was concentrated in a small population, it reveals how even limited pesticide exposure during pregnancy can have lasting impacts on health and longevity, raising red flags for broader pesticide use today.