Are There Cicadas in Michigan?
Yes, cicadas are common throughout Michigan, particularly in the Lower Peninsula where they emerge reliably each summer. Both annual cicadas and periodical cicadas occur in the state, creating loud buzzing sounds in woodlands and residential neighborhoods. Residents across southern and central Michigan regularly encounter these insects.
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
- 1,118
- GBIF records
- August, July, June
- peak months
Yes, cicadas are in Michigan. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
3,845 verified observations on iNaturalist of cicada have been recorded in Michigan, most often in August, July, June.
When cicada are recorded in Michigan
Yes, cicadas are common throughout Michigan, particularly in the Lower Peninsula where they emerge reliably each summer. Both annual cicadas and periodical cicadas occur in the state, creating loud buzzing sounds in woodlands and residential neighborhoods. Residents across southern and central Michigan regularly encounter these insects.
Where Cicadas Are Found in Michigan
Cicadas are found across both the Lower and Upper Peninsulas of Michigan, with populations being strongest in the Lower Peninsula where forests and suburban areas provide ideal habitat. They thrive in deciduous forests surrounding the Grand River, Kalamazoo River, and throughout central Michigan hardwood stands. The Saginaw Bay region supports abundant populations in mixed oak and maple forests. Cicadas are well-established around major urban areas including the Detroit metropolitan region, Lansing, and Grand Rapids where mature trees dot residential neighborhoods. Northern Michigan forests around Traverse City and the Mackinac Island region host cicadas, though populations may be somewhat sparser at higher latitudes. The Lake Michigan and Lake Huron shorelines have cicada populations in dune forests and sand areas. Explore more about Michigan wildlife by visiting theMichigan wildlife hubor ourcicada guide.
Seasonal Timing and Activity in Michigan
Annual cicadas in Michigan typically emerge from early June through late August, with peak activity occurring in July when temperatures are warmest across the state. Periodical cicadas follow their specific brood schedules and have emerged in Michigan during recent cycles, creating spectacular chorus events lasting several weeks. The calls intensify during the hottest parts of the day and continue through evening hours. Before emergence, nymphs spend years underground feeding on tree root sap throughout Michigan forests. Once adults emerge, they climb onto suitable trees, shed their exoskeletons, and begin their brief four to six week above-ground phase. Males call to attract females for mating during this period. The entire reproductive cycle accelerates during the warmest summer days when insect metabolism peaks. For more on cicada in Michigan, see ourMichigan cicada guide.
How to Identify a Cicada
Cicadas are large insects found in Michigan, typically ranging from 1 to 2 inches long with strong cylindrical bodies. Most Michigan species have black or brown bodies with translucent wings held tent-like over the abdomen when resting. Many species display reddish or orange patches on their wing undersides or the upper abdomen. Cicadas have large prominent compound eyes positioned on the sides of their heads and sturdy legs adapted for clinging to tree bark. The specialized sound-producing structures called tymbals are visible on the sides of the abdomen in males and are responsible for the loud buzzing calls. Females lack these sound-producing organs and do not produce the loud buzzing sounds. The piercing mouthparts are adapted for feeding on plant sap and are pointed downward. You can also browseMichigan wildlife.
Where Cicadas Concentrate in Michigan
Cicadas concentrate in Michigan wherever mature deciduous trees are abundant, particularly in oak, ash, and maple forests. Suburban neighborhoods throughout the Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids areas have dense populations during summer emergence season. Older residential areas with established shade trees attract abundant cicadas seeking feeding sites and egg-laying locations. State parks and natural areas including Huron-Manistee National Forests provide excellent habitat with extensive tree cover. Tree-lined parks along rivers such as the Grand River valley support concentrated populations. Gardens and yards with large native trees host notable numbers of cicadas during peak activity. The older and more extensively forested an area of Michigan is, the more likely you are to encounter cicadas during their emergence season. See all of ourwildlife guides.
Typical Cicada Behavior and Diet
Cicadas are herbivorous insects that feed entirely on plant sap extracted from trees through their specialized piercing mouthparts. Adult cicadas that emerge in Michigan immediately begin feeding on tree sap and searching for mates to reproduce. Males produce loud buzzing calls by vibrating specialized abdominal structures called tymbals, creating sounds that reach over 100 decibels. These powerful calls serve the primary purpose of attracting females for mating. Females locate calling males, mate, and then use specialized egg-laying structures called ovipositors to cut precise slits into tree twigs where they deposit their eggs. Eggs hatch within a few weeks and the nymphs fall to the ground, burrow into Michigan soil, and spend the next years feeding on root sap from nearby trees. This underground development phase comprises most of the cicada life cycle. OurMichigan wildlife guidecovers more species you may run into.
Coexistence and Safety Notes
Cicadas are completely harmless to humans and present absolutely no threat to people or pets in Michigan. They cannot bite or sting and carry no diseases. The loud noise they produce during summer is entirely their natural reproductive behavior. Some Michigan residents enjoy the cicada sounds as part of the natural summer soundscape, while others may find the volume bothersome. Trees can suffer minor cosmetic damage when female cicadas lay eggs, but this rarely causes serious harm to established trees. Michigan trees recover quickly from the small slits created by egg-laying. Birds, squirrels, and other Michigan wildlife rely on cicadas as an important food source during summer. Respecting cicadas as part of the natural ecosystem can enhance outdoor experiences. If cicada noise bothers you, spending time indoors or away from wooded areas provides relief.
Species Commonly Mistaken for Cicadas
Several insects in Michigan are often confused with cicadas. Katydids or bush crickets produce loud chirping calls but have green leaf-like wings and smaller bodies than cicadas. Grasshoppers are more compact insects with shorter antennae. Crickets are smaller and produce different sounds. Tree crickets produce high-pitched trilling but are much more delicate insects. Leafhoppers are considerably smaller and lack the strong body of cicadas. The most reliable way to identify a Michigan cicada is its large cylindrical body, prominent compound eyes, translucent wings, and the distinctive loud buzzing call produced during daylight hours. If you encounter a large insect clinging to a tree trunk making intense buzzing sounds, it is almost certainly a cicada and not another insect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do cicadas produce such loud buzzing sounds and should I be concerned? A: Male cicadas make loud buzzing calls to attract females for mating. The sound is purely for reproduction and poses no danger to people or property. Q: Can cicadas bite, sting, or harm people or pets? A: Cicadas cannot bite or sting under any circumstances. They are completely harmless to humans and pets and carry no diseases. Q: How many years do cicadas spend underground as nymphs? A: Annual cicadas typically spend one or two years underground, while periodical cicadas spend 13 or 17 years depending on the specific brood. This underground phase allows them to grow from eggs to full-sized adults. Q: Will cicadas damage my trees in Michigan? A: Cicada damage is usually minor. The egg-laying process creates small slits in twigs but rarely kills trees. Michigan trees recover quickly from this damage.
Plan your cicada sighting in Michigan
1,118 verified cicada records have been logged in Michigan, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Michigan
- Isle Royale National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- North Country National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- River Raisin National Battlefield Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Keweenaw National Historical Park · Find hotels
More places to see cicada
More wildlife in Michigan