Are There Cicadas in Nevada?
Cicadas are uncommon in Nevada and limited to specific areas in the southern part of the state. The high desert climate, limited tree coverage, and arid conditions make most of Nevada unsuitable for cicadas. They do occur occasionally in southern Nevada around the Las Vegas area and in parts of the Mojave Desert where vegetation provides suitable habitat.
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
- 817
- GBIF records
- June, July, August
- peak months
Yes, cicadas are in Nevada. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
1,089 verified observations on iNaturalist of cicada have been recorded in Nevada, most often in June, July, August.
When cicada are recorded in Nevada
Cicadas are uncommon in Nevada and limited to specific areas in the southern part of the state. The high desert climate, limited tree coverage, and arid conditions make most of Nevada unsuitable for cicadas. They do occur occasionally in southern Nevada around the Las Vegas area and in parts of the Mojave Desert where vegetation provides suitable habitat.
Where in Nevada Cicadas Are Found
Cicadas in Nevada are restricted to a small portion of the southern part of the state where enough vegetation and moisture exist for their survival. The area around Las Vegas, particularly in the foothills and canyon bottoms of the Spring Mountains and Red Rock Canyon, occasionally hosts cicadas. The Virgin River drainage in the northeastern tip of the state near Mesquite has potential habitat for cicadas as well. The Mojave Desert scrubland in southern Clark and Nye counties may support scattered populations, though they are not predictable. Central and northern Nevada, dominated by high desert, sagebrush-steppe vegetation, and limited tree cover, lacks the tree density and stable moisture conditions cicadas require. The higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada on Nevada's western border and the Great Basin desert in the north and east are unsuitable. VisitNevada's wildlife resourceto explore what animals do thrive in the state. TheNevada cicada guideprovides information specific to this region.
Season and Timing
When cicadas do occur in Nevada, they emerge in late summer during the hottest and driest months, typically July and August. Emergence requires specific soil temperature and moisture conditions that may not align every year. Some years may produce no cicada activity in Nevada at all if conditions are unfavorable. The nymphs spend years underground developing before emerging, and not all reach adulthood in the same season. Unlike the dramatic and predictable periodical cicada emergences of the eastern and midwestern United States, Nevada cicadas are scattered, unpredictable, and rarely numerous enough to produce the characteristic loud chorus. Periodical cicadas have not been documented in Nevada, and the state receives no coverage in brood prediction maps. Nevada residents are far more likely to encounter cicadas while traveling to neighboring states than within their own borders. The state's extreme heat and limited water availability create a challenging environment for cicadas. Checkthe national wildlife hubfor broader information about cicada presence in more favorable regions.
How to Identify a Cicada
Should you encounter a cicada in Nevada, its distinctive features will help you confirm the identification. Cicadas are large insects measuring about 1 to 2 inches in length with a strong, chunky body. The head is disproportionately large and features two prominent bulging compound eyes positioned on the sides, creating a distinctive appearance. Two pairs of transparent wings are held roof-like over the back at rest, creating a tent-like profile. The wings are mostly clear with visible veining patterns. A short, stout piercing mouthpart protrudes downward and is used to access plant sap. The abdomen is thick and often patterned with dark brown or black, sometimes with reddish or tan markings. Males of some species make buzzing or droning sounds, though desert species are often quieter than their eastern relatives. Shed nymph skins, called exuviae, are tan or light brown and cling to tree trunks and branches. For more on cicada in Nevada, see ourNevada cicada guide.
Where Sightings Concentrate in Nevada
The most likely places to encounter cicadas in Nevada are in riparian zones and canyon bottoms where water is more reliably available and vegetation is denser. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area has some suitable habitat for cicadas, particularly in areas with juniper and ponderosa pine mixed with desert shrubs. The Spring Mountains retain higher moisture and cooler temperatures that cicadas can exploit. The Virgin River valley in the far northeast provides a corridor of riparian habitat that may support cicadas. The Meadoview area and portions of the Mojave National Preserve on Nevada's southern edge have cicada potential. Residential areas in Las Vegas with mature trees can occasionally support them, especially properties with irrigation that maintains trees year-round. The great majority of Nevada remains too dry and too open for cicadas to establish. Sightings in the state are rare enough that they are noteworthy occurrences. You can also browseNevada wildlife.
Typical Behavior
Cicadas in Nevada, if present, follow the standard annual lifecycle of western species. Nymphs develop underground in the soil, feeding on xylem sap from tree roots over a period of two to five years depending on species and soil conditions. When soil warms to the appropriate temperature after reaching sufficient moisture, nymphs tunnel upward to the soil surface and molt into winged adults. The emergence process is vulnerable to drought, extreme heat, or lack of adequate moisture in Nevada's arid climate, which explains why cicada activity is so unreliable and rare in the state. Males produce sound through rapid vibrations of specialized abdominal structures called tymbals, though desert species are often quieter than their counterparts in humid regions. Females respond to male calls and mating occurs. Females lay eggs in small slits on tree branches using a specialized ovipositor. The eggs hatch as nymphs that burrow into soil to repeat the cycle. Cicadas feed exclusively on plant xylem and cause minimal damage. See all of ourwildlife guides.
Coexistence and Safety Notes
Cicadas in Nevada present no threat to humans or pets. They do not bite, sting, or carry diseases. They are entirely harmless and non-aggressive. Due to their extreme rarity in the state, most Nevada residents will never encounter a cicada. Trees in Nevada suffer minimal damage from cicada activity because insect populations remain small and scattered. The arid climate prevents the huge synchronized emergences that can cause significant twig damage in eastern states. Nevada has no special regulations regarding cicadas. They are native insects and part of the natural fauna, though their presence is minimal. No treatment or control measures are necessary or recommended. If a cicada is spotted in Nevada, it is an interesting observation worth noting and sharing with local naturalists or universities. Learning to identify and appreciate native insects contributes to ecological awareness.
Common Species People Confuse with Cicadas
In Nevada's desert environment, cicadas are unlikely to be confused with other common insects because they occur so rarely. Robber flies are predatory insects that might seem cicada-like due to their size, but they have more angular heads, longer legs, and much faster flight. Grasshoppers are abundant in Nevada but have powerful back legs built for jumping, longer antennae, and an entirely different body shape. Desert locusts are grasshoppers with swarming behavior that can be confused with insect swarms, but they lack the bulging eyes and roof-like wings of cicadas. Sphinx moths have similar wingspans when present but are more colorful and hold wings differently. Dragonflies near water are aquatic-dependent and have different eye placement and wing arrangement. Damselflies are slender and hold wings along the body. In Nevada's sparse insect diversity in many areas, true cicadas are distinctive enough that confusion is unlikely if one is encountered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are cicadas so rare in Nevada? Nevada's high desert climate, low rainfall, and limited tree cover make it unsuitable for cicadas, which require consistent moisture and abundant trees. Have periodical cicadas ever emerged in Nevada? No, Nevada is outside the known range of any major periodical cicada broods. Only annual species have rarely occurred in the state. Could cicadas establish in Nevada if irrigated? Possibly in heavily watered urban areas with abundant trees, though the extreme heat and low humidity would still present challenges to cicada development. Where is the nearest place to see cicadas reliably? Arizona and Utah, particularly in their northern and central regions, have more dependable cicada populations than Nevada.
Plan your cicada sighting in Nevada
817 verified cicada records have been logged in Nevada, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Nevada
- Death Valley National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Great Basin National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- California National Historic Trail · Find hotels
- Old Spanish National Historic Trail · Find hotels
More places to see cicada
More wildlife in Nevada