Are There Cicadas in Missouri?
Yes, cicadas are very common and widespread throughout Missouri, occurring reliably in both urban and rural areas during summer months. Both annual cicadas and periodical cicadas thrive in the state, with Missouri being home to particularly strong populations. Residents across the state including areas near the Mississippi River, Missouri River, and throughout the Ozark region 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
- 3,168
- GBIF records
- May, August, July
- peak months
Yes, cicadas are in Missouri. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
6,003 verified observations on iNaturalist of cicada have been recorded in Missouri, most often in May, August, July.
When cicada are recorded in Missouri
Yes, cicadas are very common and widespread throughout Missouri, occurring reliably in both urban and rural areas during summer months. Both annual cicadas and periodical cicadas thrive in the state, with Missouri being home to particularly strong populations. Residents across the state including areas near the Mississippi River, Missouri River, and throughout the Ozark region regularly encounter these insects.
Where Cicadas Are Found in Missouri
Cicadas are found across the entire state of Missouri, from the northern counties bordering Iowa to the southern Ozark region and along the Mississippi and Missouri river valleys. They thrive in deciduous forests throughout the state, particularly in oak and hickory forests of the Ozark Plateau. The Mississippi River valley supports abundant cicada populations from the north to south. The Missouri River floodplains and surrounding areas host significant populations. Northern Missouri's prairie-forest transitions provide good habitat. Southern Missouri's extensive forests near the Current River, James River, and White River support major populations. St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas with their numerous urban trees host dense populations. Explore theMissouri wildlife huband ourcicada guideto learn more about state wildlife.
Seasonal Timing and Activity in Missouri
Annual cicadas in Missouri typically emerge from early June through September, with peak calling activity occurring in July and August when temperatures are warmest. Periodical cicadas follow their specific brood emergence schedules and have appeared in Missouri during recent cycles, creating intense buzzing choruses that last for several weeks. Calls are loudest during the hottest parts of the day and continue into evening hours. Before emergence, nymphs spend years underground in Missouri soil feeding on tree root sap from nearby trees. Once adults emerge, they climb onto trees and shrubs, shed their exoskeletons, and begin their brief four to six week above-ground phase. Males begin calling within hours to attract females for mating. The entire reproductive cycle accelerates during the warmest summer days. For more on cicada in Missouri, see ourMissouri cicada guide.
How to Identify a Cicada
Cicadas in Missouri are large insects, typically measuring 1 to 2 inches in length with strong cylindrical bodies. Most Missouri species have black or brown coloring with translucent wings held tent-like over the abdomen when resting. Many species display reddish or orange patches on wing undersides or upper abdominal regions. Cicadas have large compound eyes positioned on the sides of their heads and sturdy legs adapted for gripping tree bark. The specialized sound-producing organs called tymbals are located on the sides of the male abdomen and produce the characteristic loud buzzing calls. Females lack these sound-producing structures and remain silent. The piercing mouthparts are adapted for drawing plant sap and point downward from the body. You can also browseMissouri wildlife.
Where Cicadas Concentrate in Missouri
Cicadas concentrate most heavily in Missouri wherever mature trees are abundant, particularly oak, ash, and hickory species favored for feeding and egg-laying. Tree-lined neighborhoods throughout St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and other Missouri cities support dense summer populations. Older residential areas with established shade trees attract significant numbers of cicadas. Parks along the Mississippi River valley and Missouri River floodplains support concentrated populations. State parks and natural areas with extensive tree cover host abundant cicadas. The forests of the Ozark region provide particularly rich habitat for large populations. Residential gardens and yards with large native trees provide concentrated feeding and breeding sites. The more mature and extensive the tree canopy in any location, the more abundant cicadas tend to be. 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 Missouri immediately begin feeding on available tree sap and search for mates. Males produce loud buzzing calls by vibrating specialized abdominal structures called tymbals, creating sounds that exceed 100 decibels. These calls function primarily to attract females for mating and reproduction. Females locate calling males, mate, and then use specialized ovipositors to cut precise slits into tree twigs where they deposit eggs. Eggs hatch within a few weeks and the nymphs burrow into Missouri soil to begin their extended underground development. Nymphs spend years feeding on root sap from nearby trees before eventually emerging as adults. This underground phase comprises the majority of the cicada life cycle. OurMissouri wildlife guidecovers more species you may run into.
Safety and Coexistence in Missouri
Cicadas are completely harmless to humans and pose no threat whatsoever to people or pets in Missouri. 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 Missouri residents enjoy the cicada sounds as part of the natural summer soundscape, while others may find the volume substantial. Trees can occasionally suffer minor cosmetic damage when female cicadas lay eggs in twigs, but this rarely causes serious harm. Missouri trees recover quickly from the small slits created during egg-laying. Birds, squirrels, and other wildlife rely on cicadas as an important summer food source. Respecting cicadas as part of Missouri's natural ecosystem enhances outdoor experiences. If cicada noise bothers you, spending time indoors or away from wooded areas provides relief.
Species Commonly Confused with Cicadas
Several insects in Missouri are frequently mistaken for cicadas. Katydids or bush crickets produce loud calls but have green leaf-like wings and smaller bodies than cicadas. Grasshoppers are more compact with shorter antennae and shorter lifespans. Tree crickets produce high-pitched trilling sounds but are much smaller and more delicate. Leafhoppers are considerably smaller and lack the strong body structure of cicadas. Cicada killers are large wasps that hunt cicadas but have yellow and black striped abdomens quite different from cicadas. The most reliable way to identify a Missouri cicada is its large cylindrical body, prominent compound eyes, translucent wings, and the distinctive loud buzzing call heard during daylight. If you encounter a large insect on a tree trunk making intense buzzing sounds, it is almost certainly a cicada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do Missouri cicadas produce such loud buzzing sounds each summer season? A: Male cicadas make loud buzzing calls to attract females for mating. This sound is their primary reproductive strategy and poses no danger. Q: Can cicadas bite, sting, or harm me or my pets in Missouri? A: Cicadas cannot bite or sting and are completely harmless to humans and pets. They carry no diseases. Q: How long do cicada nymphs spend underground in Missouri soil? A: Annual cicadas spend one or two years underground, while periodical cicadas spend 13 or 17 years depending on their specific brood. Underground development is crucial. Q: Will cicadas cause serious damage to trees in my Missouri yard? A: Cicada damage is usually minor. Egg-laying creates small slits in twigs but rarely kills or seriously harms trees. Established trees recover quickly from damage.
Plan your cicada sighting in Missouri
3,168 verified cicada records have been logged in Missouri, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Missouri
- George Washington Carver National Monument · Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Wilson's Creek National Battlefield · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail · Find hotels
More places to see cicada
More wildlife in Missouri