Are There Cicadas in Kansas?

Cicada Habitats in Kansas

Cicadas in Kansas are found mainly in areas with adequate tree cover and wood lots. Eastern Kansas, with its more abundant forests and riparian zones, hosts higher densities of cicadas than the western prairie regions. The Arkansas River valley in south-central Kansas provides excellent habitat. The Flint Hills of central Kansas contain scattered woodlands that support cicada populations. Waterways such as the Kansas River, Smoky River, and Republican River corridors offer ideal cicada habitat with shade trees and established vegetation. State parks and wildlife areas with mature trees consistently attract cicadas. Urban areas such as Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City, Kansas host cicadas in parks and residential neighborhoods with sufficient tree cover. The Smoky Hills region in west-central Kansas has enough trees to support cicadas in scattered woodlands. Cicadas depend on tree roots during their underground development, so any area with established trees can support them. Cicadas are less common in the western shortgrass prairie where tree density is naturally lower. For more on cicada in Kansas, see ourKansas cicada guide.

Emergence Timing in Kansas

In Kansas, annual cicadas typically emerge in mid-July and continue through August, with peak activity occurring in late July. The loudest choruses happen during the hottest parts of the day when afternoon temperatures rise into the 90s. Periodical cicadas follow their own schedule, emerging on 13-year or 17-year cycles. When a periodical brood emerges in Kansas, populations can be extremely high and the sound is overwhelming. These synchronized emergences occur roughly every other year in some part of the state. The length of the Kansas cicada season can vary based on temperature and moisture. Cooler summers may shorten the overall season. Heat and dry conditions do not typically harm cicada populations, as their underground nymphs access water through tree roots. Most cicada activity ends by early September as adult insects complete their reproductive cycle and die. Nymphs remain hidden underground for years developing before emerging. You can also browseKansas wildlife.

How to Identify Cicadas

Kansas cicadas typically measure between one and a half and two inches in length. Annual cicadas usually display dark brown or black bodies with clear transparent wings held tent-like over their backs. Periodical cicadas, including the 13-year and 17-year broods present in Kansas, show distinctive features. They have red eyes, black bodies, and red or orange markings on their wings. The wing structure is distinctive and provides a reliable identification feature. Cicada wings display prominent veins in a complex vein pattern that creates visible lines across the transparent surfaces. The body is strong and relatively chunky compared to many other insects of similar size. Male cicadas are generally more visible and active than females because they produce the loud buzzing and humming sounds used to call for mates. The sound-producing structures, called timbals, are located on the sides of the abdomen. Females typically remain quieter and are harder to spot. See all of ourwildlife guides.

Where Sightings Concentrate in Kansas

The highest concentrations of cicadas in Kansas occur in the eastern and central portions of the state. The Arkansas River bottomlands in south-central Kansas host dense cicada populations. The Flint Hills region, though primarily grassland, contains woodlands that support cicadas. River valleys including those of the Kansas River, Smoky River, and Republican River provide excellent habitat with mature trees. Eastern Kansas forests and woodlands consistently report strong cicada activity. Urban parks in Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City, Kansas attract significant cicada populations. Residential neighborhoods with mature tree canopies, particularly in eastern Kansas areas, host active cicadas. The Smoky Hills region in west-central Kansas has scattered woodlands that support smaller populations. Wildlife areas and state parks with trees attract cicadas. You are less likely to encounter cicadas in the western shortgrass prairie, though small populations may be present in scattered trees and shelter belts. ConsultingKansas wildlife resourcesprovides specific local information.

Cicada Life and Behavior

Cicadas feed exclusively on plant sap drawn through their needle-like mouthparts. Both adult cicadas and their underground nymphs obtain nutrition this way. For most of their lives, cicadas develop in the soil as nymphs, gradually growing through multiple molts over 2 to 17 years depending on the species. During this underground phase, nymphs feed on fluids extracted from tree roots. When conditions are right, nymphs dig to the surface and undergo their final molt, emerging as winged adults. Adult cicadas live for only three to four weeks after emergence. During this brief period, they feed, seek mates, and reproduce. Males produce sound by rapidly contracting specialized structures called timbals on their abdomens. Females recognize and move toward the male calls. After mating, females lay eggs in small slits cut into tree bark. These eggs hatch into nymphs that fall to the ground and burrow underground to begin their long development cycle.

Coexistence and Safety Information

Cicadas are completely harmless to humans. They do not bite, sting, sting, or attack. They are not poisonous or venomous. The sound they produce, while often loud and continuous during peak times, is a natural part of their reproductive behavior. Cicadas occasionally lay eggs in small branches of young trees, causing minor twig damage, but this rarely affects overall tree health. Established, mature trees easily recover from such damage. If you wish to protect young or newly planted trees, netting applied during peak emergence can prevent egg-laying. Cicadas actually benefit ecosystems by providing food for birds, spiders, wasps, and other animals. Their presence indicates a healthy environment with mature trees. Many people find the cicada chorus to be a pleasant soundtrack to late summer. There are no health risks or safety precautions needed beyond simply appreciating these insects from a respectful distance. Cicadas are an important part ofKansassummer wildlife.

Species Confused With Cicadas

Several insects in Kansas are commonly mistaken for cicadas. Grasshoppers are similar in size but have a different body structure with large powerful hind legs designed for jumping. Crickets produce sounds but have different body shapes and markings. Cicada killers are large wasps that hunt cicadas for food and are sometimes confused with cicadas themselves, though they are predatory insects. Katydids produce high-pitched calls and resemble grasshoppers more than cicadas. The whirring sound of spinning maple seeds dropping from trees can be confused with cicada sounds by those unfamiliar with both. The strong body, transparent wing pattern, and distinctive buzzing call help distinguish true cicadas from these lookalikes. Sound recordings and detailed photographs inKansas field guidesprovide excellent tools for accurate identification. Learning these distinctions enhances your appreciation for Kansas insect diversity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the buzzing sound that cicadas produce? Male cicadas create their famous buzzing sound using specialized structures called timbals on their abdomens. Rapid vibrations of these timbals produce the characteristic buzzing and whirring chorus sounds that can reach up to 90 decibels.

How long do adult cicadas live after emerging? Adult cicadas live for approximately three to four weeks after emerging from underground. They spend this time feeding on tree sap, calling to attract mates, mating, and laying eggs. Most of the cicada life cycle occurs underground as nymphs.

Do cicadas cause serious damage to trees? Cicadas do not eat leaves or cause significant damage. They feed only on sap. Minor damage occurs when females lay eggs in twigs, but trees easily recover. Young trees can be protected with netting during peak emergence if desired.

When should I listen for cicadas in Kansas? Annual cicadas create their loudest choruses from mid-July through August, with peak activity in late July. The warmest parts of the day, typically afternoon, produce the loudest sounds when temperatures reach the 80s or 90s.