Are There Cicadas in Mississippi?
Yes, cicadas are very abundant and widespread throughout Mississippi, thriving in the state's warm climate and extensive forests. Both annual cicadas and periodical cicadas occur in Mississippi, with the state experiencing particularly strong populations due to long hot summers. Residents across the Mississippi River delta, coastal regions, and forest areas encounter cicadas reliably each summer.
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
- 1,087
- GBIF records
- August, May, September
- peak months
Yes, cicadas are in Mississippi. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
1,882 verified observations on iNaturalist of cicada have been recorded in Mississippi, most often in August, May, September.
When cicada are recorded in Mississippi
Yes, cicadas are very abundant and widespread throughout Mississippi, thriving in the state's warm climate and extensive forests. Both annual cicadas and periodical cicadas occur in Mississippi, with the state experiencing particularly strong populations due to long hot summers. Residents across the Mississippi River delta, coastal regions, and forest areas encounter cicadas reliably each summer.
Where Cicadas Are Found in Mississippi
Cicadas are found across the entire state of Mississippi, from the northern regions near the Tennessee border to the Gulf Coast and everywhere in between. They thrive in deciduous forests along the Mississippi River valley and throughout the state's abundant hardwood forests. The Pearl River region supports dense cicada populations in cypress and tupelo swamp forests and upland hardwoods. Delta regions with their mix of agricultural and woodland areas provide excellent habitat. The piney woods of southern Mississippi host significant populations. Coastal regions near the Gulf of Mexico support cicadas in maritime forests and oak groves. Stream valleys throughout the state including the Yazoo River, Big Black River, and numerous smaller waterways support thriving cicada populations. Visit theMississippi wildlife hubor check ourcicada guidefor more information.
Seasonal Timing and Activity in Mississippi
Annual cicadas in Mississippi typically emerge from early May through September, with peak activity occurring in July and August when temperatures are at their highest. The long hot summers in Mississippi provide ideal conditions for sustained cicada activity throughout the season. Periodical cicadas follow their brood-specific schedules and have emerged in Mississippi during recent cycles, creating spectacular buzzing choruses. Calls intensify during the hottest parts of the day and continue into evening hours. Underground nymphs spend years feeding on tree root sap throughout Mississippi forests before emerging. Once adults emerge, they immediately begin feeding and searching for mates. Males begin calling within hours to locate females. The entire above-ground phase lasts only four to six weeks before the breeding cycle completes. For more on cicada in Mississippi, see ourMississippi cicada guide.
How to Identify a Cicada
Cicadas in Mississippi are large insects, typically 1 to 2 inches long with cylindrical bodies adapted to the warm climate. Most Mississippi species have black or brown bodies with translucent wings held tent-like over the abdomen when at rest. Many species display reddish or orange patches on wing undersides or upper abdominal areas. Cicadas have prominent compound eyes positioned on the sides of their heads and sturdy legs designed for clinging to tree bark. The specialized sound-producing structures called tymbals are located on the sides of the male abdomen and produce the characteristic loud buzzing calls. Females lack these sound-producing organs and do not produce buzzing sounds. The piercing mouthparts are adapted for extracting plant sap and point downward. You can also browseMississippi wildlife.
Where Cicadas Concentrate in Mississippi
Cicadas concentrate heavily throughout Mississippi wherever mature trees are abundant, particularly oak, ash, and hickory species. Tree-lined neighborhoods in Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi, and other cities support dense summer populations. Forested parks and natural areas throughout the state host abundant cicadas during emergence season. The piney woods of south-central Mississippi provide extensive habitat for large populations. River bottomlands along the Mississippi River valley and Pearl River support particularly dense concentrations. Residential neighborhoods with large shade trees experience significant cicada activity. Gardens and yards with native trees host concentrated populations where adults feed and reproduce. State parks and forests throughout Mississippi support thriving cicada populations. The warmer southern regions and longer growing season provide ideal conditions. See all of ourwildlife guides.
Typical Cicada Behavior and Diet
Cicadas are herbivorous insects that feed exclusively on plant sap extracted from trees through their specialized piercing mouthparts. Adult cicadas emerging in Mississippi immediately begin feeding on tree sap from available trees and search for mates. Males produce loud buzzing calls by vibrating specialized abdominal structures called tymbals, creating sounds that can exceed 100 decibels. These calls serve the critical function of attracting females for mating and reproduction. Females locate calling males, mate, and then use specialized ovipositors to cut slits into tree twigs where they deposit eggs. Eggs hatch within weeks and nymphs burrow into Mississippi soil to begin their extended underground development. Nymphs spend years in the soil feeding on root sap from nearby trees before emerging as adults. This underground phase comprises most of the cicada life cycle. OurMississippi wildlife guidecovers more species you may run into.
Coexistence and Safety Notes
Cicadas are completely harmless to humans and pose no threat to people or pets in Mississippi. They cannot bite or sting under any circumstances and carry no diseases. The loud noise they produce during summer is purely their natural reproductive behavior. Some Mississippi residents enjoy the cicada sounds as part of the natural summer soundscape, while others find the volume substantial. Trees occasionally suffer minor cosmetic damage when female cicadas lay eggs in twigs, but this rarely causes serious tree damage. Mississippi trees recover quickly from the small slits created during egg-laying. Birds, squirrels, and other wildlife rely heavily on cicadas as an important summer food source. Respecting cicadas as part of Mississippi's natural ecosystem enhances 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 Mississippi are frequently confused with cicadas. Katydids or bush crickets produce loud calls in late summer but have green leaf-like wings and smaller bodies. Grasshoppers are more compact with shorter antennae. Tree crickets produce trilling sounds but are much smaller and more delicate. Leafhoppers are considerably smaller insects lacking cicada body structure. Cicada killers are large wasps that prey on cicadas but have striped yellow and black bodies unlike cicadas. The most reliable way to identify a Mississippi cicada is its large cylindrical body, prominent compound eyes, translucent wings, and distinctive loud buzzing call produced during daylight. If you find a large insect on a tree trunk making intense buzzing sounds, it is almost certainly a cicada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do Mississippi cicadas produce such loud buzzing sounds every summer? A: Male cicadas make loud calls to attract females for mating. This sound is their reproductive strategy and poses no danger. Q: Can cicadas bite, sting, or harm people or pets in Mississippi? A: Cicadas cannot bite or sting and are completely harmless to humans and pets. They carry no diseases. Q: How many years do cicada nymphs spend underground in Mississippi soil? A: Annual cicadas spend one or two years underground, while periodical cicadas spend 13 or 17 years depending on their specific brood cycle. Q: Will cicadas damage the trees in my Mississippi yard? A: Cicada damage is usually minor. Egg-laying creates small slits in twigs but rarely kills trees. Established trees recover quickly from this damage.
Plan your cicada sighting in Mississippi
1,087 verified cicada records have been logged in Mississippi, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Mississippi
- Gulf Islands National Seashore · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Natchez Trace Parkway · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Shiloh National Military Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site · Find hotels
- Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument · Find hotels
- Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument · Find hotels
More places to see cicada
More wildlife in Mississippi