Are There Cicadas in Alabama?

Where Cicadas Are Found in Alabama

Cicadas occur across all regions of Alabama, from the Appalachian foothills in the northeast to the Gulf coastal lowlands in the south. In the north, the Tennessee River valley and surrounding mountain regions support healthy cicada populations. Central Alabama's Black Belt provides suitable oak and hardwood forest habitat throughout the year. The Gulf coastal plains and wiregrass flatlands in southern Alabama also host numerous cicada species. The Tallapoosa River, Cahaba River, and other river valleys create favorable microclimates for cicadas. Even suburban and urban areas throughout the state, particularly in Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile, have active cicada populations. Anywhere on the/wildlife/alabama/cicadayou're most likely to encounter cicadas in wooded areas, parks, and tree-lined neighborhoods. TheAlabama wildlife hubdocuments the variety of insects across the state, including these prominent summer residents.

When Cicadas Are Active in Alabama

Annual cicada species appear in Alabama from mid-May through August, with peak activity in June and July. The hot, humid Alabama summer provides ideal conditions for cicada emergences throughout the state. Periodical cicadas follow a completely different schedule based on their underground development time. The 13-year broods and 17-year broods that affect Alabama emerge on predictable cycles. When a periodical brood emerges, which can happen once per year or every few years depending on which brood is cycling, populations spike dramatically for a brief 4 to 6 week period. You can often predict emergence by noting the year, as many broods have documented Alabama schedules. The timing of both annual and periodical emergences makes Alabama's summer soundscape distinctive from other seasons. For more on cicada in Alabama, see ourAlabama cicada guide.

How to Identify Cicadas in Alabama

Cicadas in Alabama range from about 0.5 to 2 inches long, with most species falling in the 1 to 1.5 inch range. Their bodies are dark brown or black, often with pale markings on the wings or body. Most have reddish or orange eyes and a relatively broad, strong body shape. The wings are transparent or cloudy and fold tent-like over the back. Male cicadas produce the loud buzzing and clicking sounds, particularly during afternoon heat. Females are generally silent but structurally identical to males. Periodical cicadas in Alabama tend to be smaller and redder than many annual species. If you hear a loud, continuous buzzing in trees on warm summer days, you're almost certainly hearing cicadas. The sound is among the most distinctive features of Alabama's summer wildlife. You can also browseAlabama wildlife.

Where Cicada Sightings Concentrate in Alabama

Cicadas are most abundant in Alabama's forested areas and mature shade trees throughout the state. Oak-hickory forests are particularly attractive to cicadas across all regions. The Sipsey Swamp and surrounding forest habitat in northwest Alabama supports strong cicada populations. Talladega National Forest in central Alabama is another productive area for cicada observation. Cheaha State Park, home to Alabama's highest point, hosts cicadas in its hardwood forest zones. The Bankhead National Forest also contains suitable habitat. Urban areas with mature trees including Tuscaloosa, Auburn, and the suburbs of Birmingham consistently report cicada activity. Parks with old-growth trees like Linn Park in Birmingham are reliable locations. Riparian forests along the Tennessee, Tombigbee, and Coosa rivers concentrate cicada populations. When exploring the/wildlifesection of state resources, these documented hotspots offer the best opportunities to observe cicadas.

Cicada Behavior and Biology

Cicadas spend most of their life underground as nymphs, feeding on sap from tree roots. Annual cicada nymphs typically spend 2 to 5 years underground before emerging in Alabama. Periodical cicadas spend 13 or 17 years underground, depending on their brood type. Once they emerge as adults, cicadas climb trees and shed their hard outer shells, leaving behind empty exoskeletons. The newly emerged adults need to harden and dry before they can fly effectively. Adult cicadas feed on xylem fluid from tree branches, which they tap using their straw-like proboscis. The males' loud buzzing sound is produced by vibrating tymbals, specialized abdominal organs, and serves as a mating call. Cicadas do not bite, sting, or cause significant harm to trees. Their life cycle is synchronized with tree phenology and seasonal warmth throughout Alabama. See all of ourwildlife guides.

Coexistence and Safety Notes

Cicadas are completely harmless to humans. They do not bite or sting, and their presence poses no health risk whatsoever. While their loud buzzing can seem annoying to some, it is a natural seasonal phenomenon that lasts only a few weeks. Cicadas are actually beneficial to their ecosystem. Their emergence aerates soil, and their bodies provide nutrition to birds, small mammals, and other wildlife. In Alabama, cicadas have no legal protection status, though they are part of the natural wildlife area. Trees occasionally show minor twig damage from female cicadas laying eggs in branches, but this rarely harms tree health. Some species experience parasitism from flies, wasps, and other insects. If you wish to avoid cicada noise, you can retreat indoors, close windows, or spend time in less wooded areas during peak emergence season. Most Alabamians view the annual or periodical cicada emergence as a sign of healthy summer weather. OurAlabama wildlife guidecovers more species you may run into.

Species People Confuse with Cicadas in Alabama

The most common confusion involves large insects in the same summer timeframe. Katydids and bush crickets produce calls superficially similar to cicadas, but their sound is typically a gentler buzzing or chirping, not the loud whirring of cicadas. Grasshoppers are also active in summer, but they have longer legs and antennae relative to body size. Locusts refer to certain grasshoppers in some contexts and cicadas in others, creating naming confusion. Dragonflies appear in Alabama during summer but are aquatic or semi-aquatic insects with entirely different anatomy and behavior. Hornets and wasps are also present in summer but have wasp-like bodies, venomous stings, and different feeding habits. Mosquitoes and other small flies are occasionally confused with young cicada nymphs, though nymphs are much larger. Understanding these distinctions helps you identify what you're actually observing in the Alabama wildlife area.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Do cicadas cause damage to trees?** Most Alabama cicadas cause minimal damage. Female cicadas do create small slits in twigs to lay eggs, but these rarely harm tree health or structure. Healthy trees easily recover from this minor damage.

**How long do cicadas live as adults?** Adult cicadas typically live 4 to 6 weeks after emerging from the ground. During this time, they focus entirely on mating and reproduction. Periodical cicadas follow this same adult lifespan regardless of whether they spent 13 or 17 years as nymphs.

**Why do cicadas make so much noise?** Males produce loud buzzing and clicking sounds specifically to attract females for mating. The sound is the most reliable way males locate mates in a crowded forest. Different species have distinctly different call patterns.

**Are cicadas found everywhere in Alabama?** Yes, cicadas occur throughout Alabama's wooded regions, forests, and tree-lined areas. You can find them across the state if suitable tree habitat exists.