Are There Cicadas in Delaware?
Yes, cicadas are common throughout Delaware, appearing every summer with their distinctive calls. Both annual cicadas and periodical cicadas emerge in the state, particularly near the coastal plain and inland regions. Their loud buzzing songs are a signature sound of mid-summer evenings across Delaware.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Cassin's 17-year Cicada · Nick Tobler (Cowturtle) CC BY
Dark Lyric Cicada · Cecil Smith CC BY
Prairie Cicada · Peter Chen 2.0 CC BY
- 8
- species recorded
- 643
- GBIF records
- August, July, September
- peak months
Yes, cicadas are in Delaware. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
1,425 verified observations on iNaturalist of cicada have been recorded in Delaware, most often in August, July, September.
When cicada are recorded in Delaware
Yes, cicadas are common throughout Delaware, appearing every summer with their distinctive calls. Both annual cicadas and periodical cicadas emerge in the state, particularly near the coastal plain and inland regions. Their loud buzzing songs are a signature sound of mid-summer evenings across Delaware.
Where Cicadas Are Found in Delaware
Cicadas occur throughout all parts of Delaware, from the northern border along the Delaware River to the southern coastal areas near the Atlantic Ocean. The state's coastal plain habitat supports strong cicada populations, especially in the wooded areas inland from the beaches. Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, located in central Delaware north of Dover, is a reliable area to hear and see cicadas during their active season. The forests along the Christina River in the northern part of the state also host cicadas. In the southern regions, Nanticoke River bottomlands and upland forests from Seaford to the Maryland border contain cicada habitat. The mixture of deciduous and mixed forests throughout Delaware provides ideal conditions for annual cicada species. Visit/wildlife/delawareto learn about other wildlife in the state.
Season and Timing
In Delaware, annual cicadas typically emerge in mid-to-late summer, usually beginning in July and peaking through August and into early September. Some species appear earlier, starting in late June, while others may linger into October in warm years. Periodical cicadas, which emerge every 13 or 17 years on a brood cycle, also occur in Delaware but on predictable schedules. The timing depends heavily on soil temperature, as cicadas spend years as nymphs underground before emerging as adults. Once above ground, adult cicadas live for four to six weeks. The buzzing and clicking sounds that give cicadas their name are most loud and constant from late morning through evening hours. You can learn more about regional/wildlife/delaware/cicadapatterns to track local activity.
How to Identify a Cicada
Cicadas are sturdy insects, typically one to two inches long, with strong bodies and clear or smoky wings held tent-like over their backs. Most Delaware cicadas are brown, tan, or black, with some species displaying red or greenish coloring on the abdomen or head. Males produce the loud buzzing and rasping sounds using drumlike membranes called tymbals on their abdomens, while females are generally silent. Cicada eyes are simple and arranged differently from other insects, and their legs are short and adapted for climbing trees. The wings of cicadas have a distinctive pattern of veins. Molted cicada shells, called exoskeletons or exuviae, are commonly found clinging to tree trunks after emergence and are a telltale sign of cicada activity. These hollow shells are brown, papery, and often cluster together on tree bark near the ground. For more on cicada in Delaware, see ourDelaware cicada guide.
Where Sightings Concentrate in Delaware
In Delaware, cicadas concentrate in areas with mature or mixed-age forests and abundant trees. Oak, hickory, maple, and ash forests throughout the state are prime cicada habitat. The wooded areas within and around Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge consistently host active cicada populations. Prime habitat also includes the hardwood forests of central Delaware, particularly around Dover and Middletown, and the riparian woodlands along the Delaware River in New Castle County. Southern Delaware's longleaf pine and mixed hardwood forests near Nanticoke River also support strong cicada populations. Urban and suburban yards with mature trees, including elm, ash, and oak species, frequently have cicada activity. The cicadas concentrate in trees because nymphs feed on root sap, and adults lay eggs in tree bark. For more wildlife information, explore/wildlifeto find other insect species throughout the region.
Typical Cicada Behavior
Cicadas spend the vast majority of their lives underground as nymphs, typically three to five years depending on species, feeding on sap from tree roots. Once they emerge as adults, cicadas are focused on finding mates and reproducing. Males produce their distinctive sounds to attract females for mating. After mating, females lay eggs in slits they cut into tree twigs and bark, sometimes damaging ornamental or fruit trees but rarely causing serious harm to healthy trees. Adult cicadas feed on plant sap by piercing bark and twigs with their needle-like mouths. They are generally harmless to humans and do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases. Cicadas are also relatively weak fliers, preferring to climb and jump among branches. They are attracted to lights at night and may be found around porch lights or street lamps during their active season in Delaware. You can also browseDelaware wildlife.
Coexistence and Safety Notes
Cicadas are completely harmless to humans. They do not bite, sting, or carry disease, and the noise they produce, while loud and sometimes startling, is purely for mating communication. Their sound levels can reach 80 to 90 decibels in large groups, similar to heavy traffic or lawn mowers, but this is normal and temporary. In Delaware, there are no restrictions on cicadas because they are native and beneficial insects. They provide food for birds, squirrels, and other wildlife, making them an important link in the food chain. If cicada damage to ornamental trees is a concern in your yard, netting young trees or protecting tree bark with plastic sleeves can minimize egg-laying damage. However, most property damage is minimal on established trees. Cicadas pose no public health threat and should be appreciated as natural components of Delaware's summer ecosystem. Their emergence is a reliable and predictable natural phenomenon.
Species People Confuse with Cicadas
Cicadas are sometimes confused with grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids because all produce sounds associated with summer evenings. However, grasshoppers and crickets have long antennae and different body shapes compared to cicadas. Katydids have broad, flat wings that resemble leaves and make a distinct "katy-did" sound quite different from the cicada buzz. Another common confusion is with cicada killers, which are large wasps that hunt cicadas but are entirely different insects. Cicada killer wasps are solitary and do not form hives like honeybees. Some people also mistake the exit holes of cicada nymphs on tree bark for damage from other pests such as bark beetles. Cicada holes are typically circular and clean-edged, usually one-quarter inch in diameter, and form neat groupings on the soil surface near trees. True cicadas are harmless and benefit ecosystems, while understanding this distinction helps people avoid unnecessary concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are periodical cicadas in Delaware a sign of a brood emerging statewide? A: Periodical cicadas do occur in Delaware on their specific broods, but not all areas receive equally heavy emergence. The state may experience light, moderate, or significant years depending on which brood is active and local conditions. Q: Why are cicadas so loud? A: Male cicadas produce their loud buzzing sounds to attract females for mating. The sound is generated by rapidly vibrating drumlike structures called tymbals on the abdomen. Each species has a unique call pattern. Q: Do cicadas damage trees? A: Female cicadas lay eggs in tree bark, which may cause minor twig damage, but healthy mature trees recover easily. Newly planted or stressed trees may suffer more noticeably. Q: Can I collect cicada exoskeletons or exuviae? A: Yes, collecting shed cicada shells is legal and common. Many people keep them for educational or curiosity purposes. Children often enjoy finding and saving these natural artifacts from Delaware's/wildlife/delaware/cicadaecosystems.
Plan your cicada sighting in Delaware
643 verified cicada records have been logged in Delaware, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Delaware
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Chesapeake Bay · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- First State National Historical Park · Find hotels
- Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail · Find hotels
More places to see cicada
More wildlife in Delaware