Are There Cicadas in Massachusetts?
Yes, cicadas are present and established throughout Massachusetts, though they are somewhat less abundant than in warmer southern states. Annual cicadas emerge reliably each summer, and periodical cicadas have emerged in the state during recent decades. Residents in central and eastern Massachusetts regularly encounter these insects in wooded areas and suburban neighborhoods.
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
- 1,495
- GBIF records
- August, June, July
- peak months
Yes, cicadas are in Massachusetts. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
3,951 verified observations on iNaturalist of cicada have been recorded in Massachusetts, most often in August, June, July.
When cicada are recorded in Massachusetts
Yes, cicadas are present and established throughout Massachusetts, though they are somewhat less abundant than in warmer southern states. Annual cicadas emerge reliably each summer, and periodical cicadas have emerged in the state during recent decades. Residents in central and eastern Massachusetts regularly encounter these insects in wooded areas and suburban neighborhoods.
Where Cicadas Are Found in Massachusetts
Cicadas are found across all regions of Massachusetts, from the Atlantic coast near Cape Cod and Boston Harbor to the western Berkshire Mountains. They thrive in deciduous forests along the Charles River, Merrimack River valleys, and throughout central Massachusetts. Suburban areas around Boston and Worcester host abundant cicada populations in mature tree canopies. The Cape Cod region supports cicada populations in oak and pine mixed woodlands. Cicadas are well-established in the Pioneer Valley along the Connecticut River and in towns throughout Hampshire and Franklin counties. The forests surrounding the Quabbin Reservoir provide excellent habitat with dense tree cover. Explore more about Massachusetts wildlife by visiting theMassachusetts wildlife hubor checking ourcicada guidefor local sightings.
Seasonal Timing and Activity in Massachusetts
Annual cicadas in Massachusetts typically emerge from early June through late August, with peak calling activity occurring in July and early August when temperatures are warmest. Periodical cicadas follow their own emergence schedule based on their specific brood cycle, appearing every 13 or 17 years. When periodical broods emerge in Massachusetts, they create intense buzzing choruses that can last for several weeks. The calls are loudest during the hottest parts of the day and continue into evening hours. Underground nymphs spend years feeding on tree root sap before emerging as adults. Once they climb onto trees and shed their exoskeletons, males begin calling within hours. The entire adult phase lasts only four to six weeks before the insects complete their breeding cycle. For more on cicada in Massachusetts, see ourMassachusetts cicada guide.
How to Identify a Cicada
Cicadas are among the largest insects in Massachusetts, typically ranging from 1 to 2 inches in length. Their cylindrical bodies are usually black, brown, or tan with translucent wings folded tent-like over their abdomens when resting. Most Massachusetts cicadas have large compound eyes positioned on the sides of their heads and sturdy legs adapted for clinging to tree bark. Annual species often display reddish or orange patches on their wing undersides or abdomen. The specialized sound-producing organs called tymbals are visible on the sides of the abdomen in males and produce the loud buzzing call. Females lack these sound-producing structures and are generally silent. The piercing mouthparts are adapted for sucking plant sap and are pointed downward under the body. You can also browseMassachusetts wildlife.
Where Sightings Concentrate in Massachusetts
Cicadas concentrate heavily in areas with large established trees, particularly oak, ash, and hickory species that they prefer for feeding and egg-laying. Tree-lined suburbs throughout eastern Massachusetts including towns near Boston, Cambridge, and suburbs of Worcester support dense populations. The Berkshire region in western Massachusetts provides excellent habitat with its extensive hardwood forests and mountain slopes. Parks and preserves such as natural areas along the Charles River and around the Quabbin Reservoir have abundant cicadas during emergence season. Residential neighborhoods with mature street trees and shade trees attract significant numbers during summer months. Gardens and yards with large native trees host concentrated populations where adults gather to feed and reproduce. The older and more established the tree canopy in any location, the more likely you are to encounter cicadas. See all of ourwildlife guides.
Typical Cicada Behavior and Diet
Cicadas are herbivorous insects that feed exclusively on plant sap drawn from trees and shrubs through their specialized piercing mouthparts. Adult cicadas emerge from underground and immediately seek trees where they resume feeding and begin searching for mates. Males produce their loud buzzing calls by rapidly vibrating specialized abdominal structures called tymbals, creating one of the loudest insect sounds in nature. These calls serve to attract females for mating. Females locate calling males, mate, and then use specialized ovipositors to cut slits into tree twigs where they deposit eggs. Eggs hatch within a few weeks and the nymphs fall to the ground, burrow into the soil, and spend the next years feeding on root sap from nearby trees. This underground development phase defines most of the cicada life cycle. OurMassachusetts wildlife guidecovers more species you may run into.
Safety and Coexistence in Massachusetts
Cicadas are entirely harmless to humans and present no health or safety risk whatsoever. They cannot bite or sting, carry no diseases, and will not attack people or pets. The loud noise they produce during summer is their natural reproductive behavior and nothing more. Some residents find the sound enjoyable as part of the natural soundscape, while others may find it loud. Trees occasionally suffer minor cosmetic damage when female cicadas lay eggs in twigs, but this rarely harms the overall health of established trees. Many birds, squirrels, and other wildlife view cicadas as a valuable food source during summer months. Enjoying cicadas as part of Massachusetts natural ecosystem can enhance outdoor experiences. If the noise bothers you, spending time indoors or away from wooded areas during peak calling hours provides relief.
Species Commonly Confused with Cicadas
Several insects in Massachusetts are often mistaken for cicadas. Katydids or bush crickets produce loud calls in late summer and fall but have green, leaf-like wings and smaller bodies than cicadas. Grasshoppers are more compact with shorter antennae and shorter life cycles. Tree crickets produce distinctive trilling sounds but are much more delicate with slender bodies. Leafhoppers and spittlebugs may be found on plants but are considerably smaller. Awning clover hoppers lack the strong body and large compound eyes characteristic of cicadas. The most reliable way to identify a cicada is its large cylindrical body, prominent compound eyes, translucent wings, and distinctive loud buzzing call. If you spot a large insect clinging to a tree trunk and hear intense buzzing sounds during daylight hours, it is almost certainly a cicada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do cicadas make such loud sounds and is it something to worry about? A: Male cicadas produce their loud calls to attract females for mating. The sound is their primary reproductive strategy and poses no danger to people or property. Q: Can cicadas harm me, my family, or my pets? A: Cicadas cannot bite or sting and carry no diseases. They are completely harmless to humans and pets. They will not bother you unless you try to catch them. Q: How long do cicadas spend underground as nymphs? A: Annual cicadas spend one or two years underground, while periodical cicadas spend 13 or 17 years depending on the brood. This underground phase is when they grow from hatched eggs to adults. Q: Will cicadas kill or severely damage my trees? A: Cicada damage is usually minor. Female egg-laying creates small slits in twigs but rarely kills trees. Established trees recover quickly from this cosmetic damage.
Plan your cicada sighting in Massachusetts
1,495 verified cicada records have been logged in Massachusetts, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Massachusetts
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Cape Cod National Seashore · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Adams National Historical Park · Find hotels
- Boston African American National Historic Site · Find hotels
More places to see cicada
More wildlife in Massachusetts