Are There Cicadas in Oregon?
Yes, cicadas are found in Oregon, though their presence and abundance vary significantly by region. Eastern Oregon, with its warmer summers and drier climate, hosts healthy cicada populations. Western Oregon is cooler and wetter, so cicadas are less common but do occur in some years and locations.
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
- 244
- GBIF records
- July, June, May
- peak months
Yes, cicadas are in Oregon. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
1,956 verified observations on iNaturalist of cicada have been recorded in Oregon, most often in July, June, May.
When cicada are recorded in Oregon
Yes, cicadas are found in Oregon, though their presence and abundance vary significantly by region. Eastern Oregon, with its warmer summers and drier climate, hosts healthy cicada populations. Western Oregon is cooler and wetter, so cicadas are less common but do occur in some years and locations.
Where Cicadas Occur in Oregon
Cicadas are most abundant in eastern Oregon, where drier summers and continental climate provide ideal conditions. The region east of the Cascade Range, including areas around Bend, Pendleton, and Baker City, regularly supports cicada populations. The Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon host them. The Wallowa Valley and Grande Ronde Valley regions have established populations. Cicadas also occur in the irrigated valleys of central Oregon, particularly near farms and ranches with abundant trees. Western Oregon west of the Cascades is cooler and wetter, making it less favorable for cicadas, but they do appear in the warmer years and in protected microclimates. The Willamette Valley sometimes supports cicadas, particularly in exceptionally warm summers. The Rogue River Valley of southern Oregon can have cicadas. Malheur County and Harney County in southeastern Oregon are reliable. Cicadas are less common in the coastal areas and the high Cascade peaks. The/wildlife/oregonguide covers Oregon's diverse regions and ecosystems. Learn more about regional variations at/wildlife.
Seasonal Timing and Regional Variation
In eastern Oregon, cicadas typically emerge in late June or early July when soil temperature reaches approximately 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Peak activity continues through August. The warm, dry eastern Oregon climate allows cicada populations to thrive with reliable emergence each year. In western Oregon, emergence timing is less predictable because the cooler, wetter climate does not consistently warm enough or remain warm long enough. Some years, warm spells trigger cicada emergence in the Willamette Valley and Rogue River Valley. Other years, the cool marine influence from the Pacific prevents establishment. This makes western Oregon cicadas opportunistic and variable. Periodical cicadas do not occur in Oregon, so all cicadas encountered are annual varieties. Eastern Oregon cicada season typically lasts from July through early September. Western Oregon emergences, when they occur, are usually shorter and less dramatic. The eastern Oregon season begins earlier and lasts longer than western Oregon. This regional difference reflects the fundamental climate distinction between Oregon's drier east and wetter west. For more on cicada in Oregon, see ourOregon cicada guide.
How to Identify Oregon Cicadas
Oregon cicadas are large insects, typically 1 to 2 inches long, with stout hard-shelled bodies. Most species are dark brown or black with reddish, orange, or cream-colored markings on the eyes, wing margins, and legs. The eyes are distinctive and often bright red or deep black. Wings are transparent or lightly smoky and held in a tent-like position over the back. The body is segmented with visible bands on the abdomen, particularly on males. Male cicadas possess a special sound-producing organ on the underside of the abdomen. Only males produce the loud buzzing or droning sound. The call of Oregon cicadas is identical in function to cicadas everywhere, serving to attract females for mating. The specific call pattern varies slightly by species and region. In eastern Oregon with abundant cicadas, the chorus can be quite loud. In western Oregon, individual calls are more easily distinguished. All Oregon cicadas produce their sound during daylight hours, particularly in hot afternoons. The sound is loud and distinctive. You can also browseOregon wildlife.
Where to Find Cicadas in Oregon
Eastern Oregon cicadas concentrate wherever hardwood trees grow in abundance. The Blue Mountains provide excellent habitat with extensive forests. Areas around Bend with juniper and ponderosa pine forests plus ornamental trees have cicadas. Irrigated ranch lands with willows and cottonwoods around Pendleton and along the Umatilla River support populations. The Grande Ronde Valley around Enterprise and Joseph has cicadas. The Wallowa Valley foothills provide habitat. Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and adjacent forest areas host them. In western Oregon, cicadas appear in the Rogue River Valley, particularly in protected south-facing locations. The Willamette Valley has occasional cicadas during warm years. Urban parks in Portland, Eugene, and Salem may host cicadas during exceptional warm periods. River valleys provide better habitat than exposed ridges. Protected valleys with mature trees are most likely to host cicadas. View the/wildlife/oregon/cicadapage for detailed information about regional populations and viewing sites.
Cicada Behavior and Lifecycle
Oregon cicadas spend most of their lives underground as nymphs. Annual cicada nymphs typically spend 2 to 5 years underground, slowly drawing sap from plant roots. When soil becomes consistently warm, nymphs tunnel upward and climb onto trees and surfaces to molt. The molting process is dramatic and transformative. They split their hard exoskeleton down the back and emerge with soft, pale bodies. Over several days, the new body hardens and the color develops. The abandoned shells, called exuviae, remain attached to tree bark and are a visible sign of emergence. After molting, adults feed by piercing tree bark with a specialized needle-like mouth and drawing sap. Males position themselves in trees and call repeatedly. The call serves only to attract females for reproduction. Females do not produce sound. After mating, females deposit hundreds of eggs in tree twigs using a specialized egg-laying organ. New nymphs hatch and fall to the soil to begin the underground phase of their lives.
Coexistence and Wildlife Safety Notes
Cicadas are completely harmless to humans and pose no threat. They do not bite, sting, or carry disease. They are not aggressive toward people. Many Oregon residents, especially in eastern Oregon where cicadas are common, view them as a natural part of summer. The buzzing sound of cicada choruses can be loud when many males call together, but this is temporary. Tree damage from cicadas is generally minimal or negligible on healthy, established trees. Only young trees or drought-stressed trees might lose small branches, and recovery is usually quick. Healthy Oregon trees easily withstand cicada egg-laying. Cicadas are protected as native wildlife and are considered valuable parts of Oregon's ecosystem. They provide important food for birds, wasps, and other predators. Predatory insects and birds depend on cicadas as a seasonal food resource. After death, cicadas return nutrients to the soil. The/wildlife/oregonhub includes comprehensive information about Oregon wildlife and ecosystem management.
Similar Species and Identification Challenges
Several insects in Oregon can be confused with cicadas but are readily distinguished. Grasshoppers are often mistaken for cicadas but are much smaller and have long hind legs built for jumping. Cicadas cannot jump. Katydids are green insects that produce a chirping or rattling sound at night and have different body shapes than cicadas. Long-horned beetles may superficially resemble cicadas but have hard, shiny wing covers that meet in a straight line down the back. Cicada wings are transparent and overlap. Large bees and wasps occur in Oregon but are furry and have different flight behavior. Cicada killer wasps are large predatory wasps with yellow and black markings that hunt cicadas in eastern Oregon where cicadas are abundant. These are predators, not cicadas themselves. Once you hear a real Oregon cicada call in person, confusion becomes impossible. The loud buzzing sound is unmistakable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cicadas found throughout Oregon? Cicadas are abundant in eastern Oregon but less common in western Oregon. Eastern Oregon's warmer, drier climate supports reliable cicada populations. Western Oregon's cooler, wetter climate makes cicadas less predictable and less abundant. When do Oregon cicadas emerge? In eastern Oregon, cicadas typically emerge in late June or early July and peak in August. In western Oregon, they emerge less predictably and less frequently, usually only in exceptionally warm years. Do Oregon cicadas harm trees? Cicada damage to trees is minimal on healthy, established trees. Only young or drought-stressed trees might lose small branches. Oregon's trees are generally resilient to cicada presence. What is the difference between eastern and western Oregon cicadas? Both regions host annual cicadas, but eastern Oregon's warmer climate allows more abundant and reliable populations. Western Oregon cicadas depend on unusual warmth to thrive. The species present may vary between regions.
Plan your cicada sighting in Oregon
244 verified cicada records have been logged in Oregon, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Oregon
- Crater Lake National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Nez Perce National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
More places to see cicada
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