Are There Cicadas in Pennsylvania?
Yes, cicadas are common throughout Pennsylvania, especially during late summer months. These large insects produce loud buzzing calls that define the season. Both annual cicadas and periodical broods occur in the state, though periodical emergences are infrequent and unpredictable. You will encounter them in wooded areas, parks, and suburban yards across all regions of Pennsylvania.
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
- 2,498
- GBIF records
- August, June, July
- peak months
Yes, cicadas are in Pennsylvania. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
7,010 verified observations on iNaturalist of cicada have been recorded in Pennsylvania, most often in August, June, July.
When cicada are recorded in Pennsylvania
Yes, cicadas are common throughout Pennsylvania, especially during late summer months. These large insects produce loud buzzing calls that define the season. Both annual cicadas and periodical broods occur in the state, though periodical emergences are infrequent and unpredictable. You will encounter them in wooded areas, parks, and suburban yards across all regions of Pennsylvania.
Where Cicadas Are Found in Pennsylvania
Cicadas live statewide across Pennsylvania's diverse landscapes. You'll find them in the forested regions of the Poconos and Allegheny Plateau, throughout the central valleys of the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers, and in the oak and hickory woodlands of southeastern counties. They thrive wherever deciduous and mixed forests provide the woody plants their nymphs need for development. Suburban areas with mature trees support healthy cicada populations, particularly around Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and towns in the Lehigh Valley. State parks like Ricketts Glen and Laurel Summit offer excellent cicada habitat. The Delaware River corridor supports active colonies during peak season. Cicadas occur from the lowest elevations to mountain areas above 2,000 feet, making them accessible to residents throughout the state. A visit toPennsylvania's wildlife hubprovides additional context about the state's broader ecosystem.
When Cicadas Emerge in Pennsylvania
Annual cicadas dominate Pennsylvania summers, with peak activity from late July through September. The first calls typically begin in mid-July as temperatures warm, and the chorus reaches its loudest in August. Activity tails off by October as temperatures drop. Periodical cicadas are less predictable. The state occasionally sees emergences of 13-year and 17-year broods, but their schedules are irregular and not guaranteed in any given year. When a periodical brood does emerge, the spectacle is extraordinary, with millions of insects overwhelming the landscape. Most Pennsylvanians experience only the annual species unless they happen to live in an area during a periodical emergence. Weather plays a significant role in emergence timing. Cool springs delay development, while warm springs accelerate it. Drought can suppress overall activity, while adequate soil moisture supports strong populations and intense calling. For more on cicada in Pennsylvania, see ourPennsylvania cicada guide.
How to Identify a Cicada
Adult cicadas are among the largest insects in Pennsylvania, ranging from 1.5 to 2 inches long. They have stout bodies, large membranous wings held roof-like over their backs, and prominent eyes positioned toward the sides of their heads. Most annual species are dark brown or blackish with lighter undersides and reddish or amber wing veins. Males produce the buzzing calls through vibrating membranes called tymbals located on their abdomens. Females are generally similar to males but lack these sound-producing structures and remain silent. Both sexes feed by piercing plant stems with needle-like mouths. Periodical cicadas of the 17-year variety are typically smaller and darker than annuals, often appearing nearly black. Nymphs, which spend years underground, are tan or brownish and resemble large crickets with digging front legs. Learning to recognize these features helps you appreciate the insects and distinguish them from similar species inthe broader wildlife of Pennsylvania.
Where Sightings Concentrate in Pennsylvania
Cicadas concentrate in mature forests and wooded parks where their host plants provide food and shelter. The oak and hickory woodlands of Tioga County and the forests along the Allegheny Front support dense populations. Hickory, ash, and maple trees are preferred feeding sites. Urban parks like Fairmount Park in Philadelphia and Schenley Park in Pittsburgh host active colonies. The woodlands surrounding the Delaware River between Easton and Trenton attract numerous cicadas. State game lands throughout the Ridge and Valley province offer abundant habitat. Private wooded properties with a mix of deciduous trees regularly host calling males, particularly along forest edges where sunlight penetrates. Parks near Harrisburg, Reading, and Allentown experience reliable cicada activity each summer. The less-disturbed forests of northeastern Pennsylvania around Pike County and western forests near Elk County maintain particularly strong populations. Cicadas typically call from high in trees, so the buzzing sound often seems to come from everywhere but nowhere specific.More wildlife information for Pennsylvaniacan help you plan viewing opportunities.
Cicada Behavior and Life Cycle
Annual cicadas have a 2 to 5-year life cycle, spending most of that time as nymphs underground. Nymphs feed on plant root sap and develop slowly in the soil. When ready to emerge, they dig to the surface, climb nearby vegetation, and shed their exoskeletons to become winged adults. The transformation takes just a few hours. Adult cicadas feed on xylem fluid from tree branches and twigs, but they cause minimal damage. Their primary focus as adults is reproduction. Males congregate and call loudly to attract females, generating the familiar summer buzz. Females lay eggs in slits they cut into twigs, and those eggs hatch into tiny nymphs that fall to the ground and burrow into soil. The cycle then repeats. A female may lay hundreds of eggs during her lifetime. Adult lifespans are relatively short, typically just a few weeks. This rapid reproduction and the sheer number of participants create the impressive ecological presence cicadas have in Pennsylvania. You can also browsePennsylvania wildlife.
Coexistence and Safety Notes
Cicadas pose no threat to humans or pets. They do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases. They are completely harmless to people and animals. The only minor concern is branch damage from egg-laying. A heavily infested tree may lose small twigs where females have laid eggs, but this rarely causes significant harm to the tree's health. Young trees or nursery stock can be protected with lightweight netting during peak season if damage is a concern. Cicadas are protected by Pennsylvania's wildlife regulations as part of the natural ecosystem. They provide important ecological services as food for birds, mammals, and other insects. Woodpeckers, cardinals, and blue jays feast on adults. Many animals, including shrews and insects, consume nymphs. This food source supports bird populations during critical breeding periods. You are welcome to observe and listen to cicadas in public parks and your own yard. The buzzing chorus is one of summer's defining sounds and represents a healthy, functioning ecosystem. Visitthe wildlife hubto learn more about Pennsylvania's native insects and animals.
Species Confused with Cicadas
Katydids, common grasshoppers that call in late summer, are often mistaken for cicadas. However, katydids are smaller, typically green or brownish, and have much longer antennae than cicadas. Their calls are distinct, usually a series of rasping 'katy-did' sounds rather than the continuous buzzing of cicadas. Locusts, which are large grasshoppers, occasionally cause confusion. Locusts are generally smaller than cicadas, have longer antennae, and make different sounds. Some people incorrectly use the term 'locust' for cicadas, a confusion rooted in historical biblical translations. Another lookalike is the giant cicada hawk wasp, a large wasp that hunts cicadas. This wasp can appear similar in size but is streamlined and predatory rather than strong and feeding-focused. It also makes no sound. Dobsonfly larvae and adult ascalaphids might confuse newcomers, but they are aquatic or semi-aquatic insects with very different body shapes. The 17-year periodical cicadas sometimes get confused with the 13-year variety when they co-emerge in rare years. These can be distinguished by timing, density, and subtle color differences, though both are Magicicada species.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes the loud buzzing sound cicadas make? Male cicadas produce sound using specialized abdominal membranes called tymbals. They vibrate these membranes rapidly, sometimes at frequencies exceeding 4,000 cycles per second, creating the loud buzzing or humming call. The sound serves to attract females for mating. Why do cicadas suddenly appear in large numbers? Annual cicadas emerge according to their developmental cycle, which takes several years. When many individuals complete their cycle in the same year, they emerge together, creating the impression of a sudden invasion. Periodical broods, which emerge in enormous numbers, follow similarly synchronized schedules. Are cicadas harmful to trees? Cicadas feed on xylem fluid but cause minimal damage to healthy mature trees. They may cause minor twig dieback where females lay eggs, but this is rarely significant. Young trees or nursery stock may need protection during heavy infestations. Can I hear cicadas at night? Annual cicadas typically call during warm daylight hours and are mostly silent at night. They are most vocal during late morning through early evening. Periodical cicadas, by contrast, call throughout the day and night during emergence periods.
Plan your cicada sighting in Pennsylvania
2,498 verified cicada records have been logged in Pennsylvania, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Pennsylvania
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Chesapeake Bay · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Fort Necessity National Battlefield · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Friendship Hill National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
More places to see cicada
More wildlife in Pennsylvania