Are There Cicadas in Iowa?

Where Cicadas Live in Iowa

Cicadas are found throughout Iowa wherever deciduous and mixed forests provide suitable habitat. The Mississippi River valley along Iowa's eastern border supports strong cicada populations. The Cedar River, Des Moines River, and other river corridors offer excellent cicada habitat with abundant shade trees. The Loess Hills region in northwest Iowa also hosts healthy cicada colonies. State parks such as Ledges State Park, near Boone, provide ideal conditions with steep wooded banks and mature trees. Rural areas with farmsteads containing old-growth trees frequently support cicadas. Urban centers including Des Moines, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids host cicadas in parks and residential neighborhoods. The cicada population in Iowa depends on tree density and species composition. Areas with mature oak, hickory, and maple trees attract the most cicadas. Even small woodlots and shelter belts can support small cicada populations. For more on cicada in Iowa, see ourIowa cicada guide.

Seasonal Timing in Iowa

In Iowa, annual cicadas typically emerge in mid-July and peak in late July and August. The loudest choruses usually occur during the hottest parts of the day when temperatures reach the 80s or 90s Fahrenheit. Periodical cicadas follow their own emergence schedule, appearing on 13-year or 17-year cycles. When a periodical brood emerges in Iowa, which occurs roughly every other year in some part of the state, populations can be extremely dense. These broods create some of the loudest natural sounds in the state. The length of the cicada season depends on temperatures and weather patterns. Cooler than average summers may shorten the season slightly. Most cicada activity concludes by early September as adult insects reach the end of their short lives. Nymphs remain underground for years, slowly growing and developing beneath the soil. You can also browseIowa wildlife.

Identifying Iowa Cicadas

Most Iowa cicadas measure between one and a half and two inches long. Annual cicadas typically have dark brown or black bodies with transparent wings that fold tent-like over their backs. Periodical cicadas, which include the prominent 13-year and 17-year broods found in Iowa, display distinctive red eyes, black bodies, and red-marked wings. The wing structure is a key identification feature. Cicada wings have prominent veins arranged in a complex pattern that creates visible lines across the transparent wings. The body is strong and somewhat chunky compared to other insects of similar size. Males are generally more visible than females because they produce the loud buzzing and whirring sounds used to attract mates. The sound-producing structures, called timbals, are located on the sides of the abdomen and are visible on close inspection. Females lack these sound-producing structures and are typically quieter. See all of ourwildlife guides.

Where to Find Cicadas in Iowa

The highest concentrations of cicadas in Iowa occur in mature deciduous forests along river valleys. The Mississippi River bottomlands in the northeast support particularly dense populations. The Cedar River and Des Moines River corridors in central and southern Iowa host active cicada colonies. The Loess Hills woodlands of northwest Iowa provide excellent habitat. Ledges State Park near Boone consistently reports strong cicada presence. In urban areas, parks with large, old-growth trees such as those in Des Moines and Iowa City attract cicadas. Residential neighborhoods with mature tree canopies host significant cicada populations. Rural farmsteads with trees surrounding homes and outbuildings often have cicadas. The limestone bluffs and wooded ravines alongIowa'srivers provide some of the best cicada habitat. You may also find cicadas in smaller numbers in grassland areas with scattered tree cover, though the strongest choruses occur in forested regions.

Cicada Behavior and Feeding Habits

Cicadas feed exclusively on fluids from plant xylem, using their needle-like mouthparts to pierce tissues and extract sap. Both adult cicadas and their underground nymphs consume plant fluids this way. For the majority of their lives, cicadas develop in the soil as nymphs, gradually growing larger through multiple molts over 2 to 17 years. During this underground phase, nymphs feed on fluids from tree roots. When environmental conditions are right, nymphs tunnel to the surface and shed their final exoskeleton, emerging as winged adults. Adult cicadas live for only three to four weeks, spending this brief time seeking mates and reproducing. Males produce their famous sound by rapidly vibrating specialized timbals on their abdomens. Females do not produce sound but are attracted to the males' calls. After mating, females cut slits in tree bark and insert eggs. The cycle then begins again underground.

Living With Cicadas

Cicadas pose no threat to human health or safety. They do not bite, sting, or attack anything. They cause no pain or injury. The primary concern for many people is simply the loudness of their sounds during peak emergence. The noise is entirely natural and part of Iowa'ssummer wildlifeexperience. Young and recently planted trees may experience minor branch damage when female cicadas lay eggs in bark, but established trees recover easily from this. Tree damage is rarely severe enough to require intervention. Cicadas actually benefit ecosystems by serving as an important food source for birds, spiders, and other predators. Their presence indicates a healthy environment with mature trees. Some people apply netting to young trees during peak emergence to prevent egg-laying if branch damage is a concern. However, for most residents, simply enjoying the natural symphony of cicada sounds is the best approach.

Insects That Look Like Cicadas

Several insects in Iowa resemble cicadas and cause confusion. Grasshoppers are similar in size but have different body proportions and powerful hind legs built for jumping. Crickets also produce sounds but have different body shapes and coloring. Cicada killers, which are large wasps found in Iowa, sometimes get confused with cicadas themselves, though these are predatory insects that hunt cicadas as food for their larvae. Katydids produce high-pitched calls and resemble grasshoppers more closely than cicadas. The whirring sound of helicopter seeds from maple or ash trees can be mistaken for cicada calls by those unfamiliar with both sounds. Knowing the strong body shape, transparent wing pattern, and distinctive buzzing of true cicadas helps distinguish them. Sound recordings and photographs inIowa field guidesprovide excellent references for accurate identification.

Common Questions About Iowa Cicadas

Why do cicadas make such loud buzzing sounds? Male cicadas produce sound using specialized structures called timbals located on their abdomens. These timbals vibrate rapidly to create the characteristic buzzing and humming calls that can reach 90 decibels or more.

How long do cicadas stay above ground after emerging? Adult cicadas live for approximately three to four weeks after emerging from the soil. They spend this time feeding, calling, mating, and reproducing. The vast majority of their life cycle occurs underground as nymphs.

Can cicadas harm my garden or trees? Cicadas do not eat leaves or damage plants significantly. They feed on sap. Minor damage from egg-laying rarely affects tree health. Established trees easily recover any damage. Young trees can be protected with netting if desired.

When is the best time to observe cicadas in Iowa? Mid-July through August offers the best viewing and listening opportunities. Peak cicada activity occurs during the warmest parts of the day, typically afternoon hours when temperatures are highest.