Are There Cicadas in Arkansas?

Where Cicadas Are Found in Arkansas

Cicadas occur across all regions of Arkansas, from the forested Ozark Mountains in the northwest to the Mississippi River delta region in the east. The Boston Mountains and Ouachita Mountains in northwestern Arkansas support strong cicada populations in their oak and pine forests. The White River basin creates favorable riparian habitat for cicadas throughout northern and central Arkansas. The Arkansas River corridor, running east to west across the state, provides excellent habitat. The Ouachita National Forest in central Arkansas hosts populations of several cicada species. Southern Arkansas flatlands and pine forests also support active cicada areas, particularly around the Saline River and Ouachita River valleys. Urban and suburban areas including Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Pine Bluff have cicadas in parks and tree-lined streets. TheArkansas wildlife hubincludes information about insects across the state's diverse forest types. Whether you explore/wildlife/arkansas/cicadafor state-specific details or search the broader/wildliferesource, Arkansas cicadas are documented throughout.

When Cicadas Are Active in Arkansas

Annual cicada species emerge in Arkansas from mid-May through August, with peak activity in June and July. The warm, humid Arkansas summer creates ideal conditions for emergence and activity. Periodical cicadas follow their own schedule in Arkansas. The 13-year broods and 17-year broods emerge on predictable cycles that have been documented for many decades. When a periodical brood emerges in Arkansas, populations explode for a 4 to 6 week period, creating an unforgettable soundscape. The specific years of periodical emergence are well-documented, so emergence events can be anticipated. The timing of both annual and periodical cicadas tracks the progression of heat and humidity throughout Arkansas's spring and summer. Early morning and late evening are quieter times, while the hottest afternoon hours produce the most intense buzzing. The sounds gradually diminish by August as temperatures cool and activity winds down. For more on cicada in Arkansas, see ourArkansas cicada guide.

How to Identify Cicadas in Arkansas

Cicadas in Arkansas range from about 0.5 to 2 inches in length, with most species falling in the 1 to 1.5 inch range. Their bodies are typically dark brown or black, sometimes with reddish or greenish tones. Most Arkansas cicadas have dark red or brownish eyes and a strong, barrel-shaped body. The wings are transparent or cloudy and fold tent-like over the back when the insect is at rest. Male cicadas produce the loud buzzing and clicking sounds you hear in summer, particularly during afternoon heat. Females are generally silent and structurally similar to males. Arkansas periodical cicadas tend to be smaller and redder than many annual species. If you encounter a loud, continuous buzzing coming from trees on a warm Arkansas day, you are almost certainly hearing cicadas. The sound is one of the most characteristic features of Arkansas summer wildlife and forest soundscape. You can also browseArkansas wildlife.

Where Cicada Sightings Concentrate in Arkansas

Cicadas are most abundant in Arkansas's forested areas and parks. Buffalo National River in northern Arkansas, particularly the river valley and surrounding forest, supports healthy cicada populations. The Ozark National Forest provides extensive suitable habitat with its oak-hickory forests. The Ouachita National Forest in central Arkansas is another productive area for cicadas. Pinnacle Mountain State Park near Little Rock hosts cicadas in its wooded areas. Tanyard Creek Falls area in Fayetteville concentrates cicadas in riparian forest habitat. The Mississippi River floodplain forests in eastern Arkansas provide suitable habitat as well. Wakefield Gardens and other urban parks with mature trees in Arkansas's cities report consistent cicada activity. Riparian forests along the White River, Arkansas River, and other major river valleys concentrate populations throughout the state. These documented locations provide reliable opportunities to observe or hear cicadas across Arkansas's diverse habitats. See all of ourwildlife guides.

Cicada Behavior and Biology

Cicadas spend the vast majority of their life underground as nymphs, feeding on sap from tree roots. Arkansas cicada nymphs typically spend 2 to 5 years underground before emerging as adults. Periodical cicadas spend 13 or 17 years underground, depending on their specific brood. Once ready to emerge, nymphs tunnel upward and shed their exoskeletons on soil, trees, or shrubs. The newly transformed adults need time to harden and dry before they can fly effectively. Adult cicadas feed on xylem sap from tree branches using a specialized straw-like proboscis to pierce the plant tissue. Males produce sound by rapidly vibrating tymbals, which are specialized abdominal membranes that amplify the buzzing sound. The buzzing serves as a mating call to attract females. Cicadas coordinate their emergence with tree phenology and warm temperatures, ensuring peak reproductive activity during favorable conditions.

Coexistence and Safety Notes

Cicadas are completely harmless to humans. They do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases of any kind. Their presence poses no health risk or safety concern whatsoever. While their loud buzzing during peak emergence can seem intense, it is a natural, temporary seasonal phenomenon lasting only a few weeks. Cicadas provide ecological benefits to Arkansas. Their emergence aerates soil, enriches it with nutrient-dense exoskeletons, and provides crucial food for birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Arkansas's wildlife depends on this seasonal protein source. In Arkansas, cicadas have no legal protection status, though they are natural wildlife of the state. Tree damage from female cicadas laying eggs in twigs is minimal and rarely affects tree health or function. Some cicada species are parasitized by flies and wasps that lay eggs in or on them. If cicada noise bothers you, spending time indoors or in open areas away from trees reduces exposure. Most Arkansans view cicada emergence as a sign of healthy summer conditions.

Species People Confuse with Cicadas in Arkansas

Several Arkansas insects can create confusion with cicadas. Katydids and bush crickets produce calls, but their sound is typically a gentler buzzing or chirping pattern rather than the loud mechanical whirring of cicadas. Grasshoppers are also active in Arkansas summer but have much longer legs and antennae relative to body size and a more angular body shape. Locusts as a common name sometimes refers to cicadas and sometimes to grasshoppers, creating terminology confusion. Dragonflies appear near water in Arkansas but have sleek bodies and totally different anatomy and behavior. Wasps and hornets are present in Arkansas summer but have slender bodies, stinging capabilities, and different feeding habits. Robber flies are large predatory insects but have distinctly different body forms and hunting behaviors. Sphinx moths might seem similar to non-specialists but have completely different anatomy and feed on flowers rather than tree sap.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Do cicadas cause damage to Arkansas trees?** Most Arkansas cicadas cause minimal damage. Female cicadas create small slits in twigs to lay eggs, but healthy Arkansas trees easily recover from this minor damage, which rarely affects tree function or overall health.

**How long do cicadas live as adults?** Adult cicadas typically live 4 to 6 weeks after emerging from underground. During this entire period, their sole focus is mating and reproduction. The adult lifespan is the same regardless of whether they spent 2 or 17 years as underground nymphs.

**Why do male cicadas make such loud sounds?** Males produce loud buzzing and clicking specifically to attract females for mating. This sound is the most effective method for males to locate mates in dense forest habitat. Each cicada species has a distinct and recognizable call pattern.

**Are cicadas found throughout Arkansas?** Yes, cicadas are found across Arkansas wherever suitable tree habitat exists. From the Ozark mountains in the north to the pine forests in the south, cicadas emerge during summer months every year.