Are There Cicadas in South Carolina?
Yes, cicadas are extremely common throughout South Carolina, present in virtually every county and habitat type that supports trees. Annual cicadas are abundant, and the warm climate often produces multiple emergences or overlapping generations each year. Summer cicada choruses are a defining feature of the South Carolina soundscape from July through September.
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
- 1,225
- GBIF records
- August, July, September
- peak months
Yes, cicadas are in South Carolina. Next you'll want:
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
3,431 verified observations on iNaturalist of cicada have been recorded in South Carolina, most often in August, July, September.
When cicada are recorded in South Carolina
Yes, cicadas are extremely common throughout South Carolina, present in virtually every county and habitat type that supports trees. Annual cicadas are abundant, and the warm climate often produces multiple emergences or overlapping generations each year. Summer cicada choruses are a defining feature of the South Carolina soundscape from July through September.
Where Cicadas Are Found in South Carolina
Cicadas inhabit every region of South Carolina wherever deciduous and mixed forests provide host plants. The lowcountry woodlands of the coastal plain, including areas near Charleston, Georgetown, and Beaufort, support abundant cicada populations. The longleaf pine forests and oak hammocks of the coastal regions harbor multiple cicada species. Inland areas including the Midlands around Columbia, Orangeburg, and Aiken host highly active cicada colonies. The piedmont region with its oak and hickory forests provides excellent habitat. The upstate mountains near the Blue Ridge support diverse cicada populations. State parks including Huntington Beach, Givhans Ferry, and Congaree National Park all contain thriving cicada colonies. The hardwood forests along major river systems including the Savannah, Pee Dee, and Congaree rivers provide prime habitat. Swamp edges and areas with mixed cypress and hardwoods attract numerous cicadas. Urban parks and residential areas with mature shade trees throughout Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, and Spartanburg host calling cicadas each summer. Even in more developed areas, cicadas find adequate habitat in ornamental trees and landscape plantings. Learn more aboutSouth Carolina's wildlifeto understand the full diversity of summer insects and animals.
When Cicadas Emerge in South Carolina
Cicadas in South Carolina typically begin calling in early to mid-July, sometimes even late June during particularly warm springs. The season peaks during the hottest weeks of July and August. Activity continues through September and into early October in some years. South Carolina's warm climate sometimes supports multiple overlapping generations, meaning some individuals may emerge before others complete their cycle, extending the overall season. The timing depends heavily on spring and early summer temperatures. Warm springs accelerate nymph development, leading to earlier emergences and more intense choruses. Cool or wet springs delay development. Periodical cicadas are less predictable in South Carolina. Though broods occasionally pass through, their emergence schedules are irregular. Some areas have experienced periodical emergences, but most South Carolinians experience primarily annual species. Drought during critical developmental periods can suppress populations and reduce overall calling intensity. Conversely, adequate soil moisture supports strong nymph development and vigorous adult emergences. Humidity levels influence calling activity and behavior. During very hot, humid weather, cicadas often call most intensely in early morning and evening when temperatures are slightly cooler. For more on cicada in South Carolina, see ourSouth Carolina cicada guide.
How to Identify a Cicada
Adult cicadas in South Carolina are among the largest insects encountered in the state, ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 inches long. Their bodies are strong and heavily built, typically dark brown or nearly black with lighter colored undersides. Wing veins frequently display reddish, orange, or amber coloration. Cicadas hold their wings tent-like or roof-like over their backs at rest, creating a distinctive silhouette. Males produce loud buzzing or humming calls through specialized structures on their abdomens called tymbals. Females lack these sound-producing organs and remain silent. Both sexes possess large compound eyes positioned toward the sides of their heads and smaller simple eyes called ocelli arranged between them. They feed using needle-like mouthparts that pierce plant tissue to access nutritious xylem sap. Underground nymphs are tan or pale brown and somewhat resemble large crickets. They feature powerful digging front legs adapted for moving through soil. The nymphal stage typically lasts two to five years before emergence. Nymphs are occasionally encountered when digging in gardens or turning soil. Recognizing these identification features helps you distinguish cicadas from other summer insects as you exploreSouth Carolina's diverse wildlife.
Where Sightings Concentrate in South Carolina
Cicadas concentrate in areas with dense mature tree growth where host plants like hickory, oak, and ash are abundant. Congaree National Park near Columbia provides extensive swamp and bottomland forest habitat supporting exceptional cicada populations. The old growth forests throughout the piedmont regions near Greenville and Clemson maintain particularly strong cicada presence. Hunting Island State Park and other coastal park areas with live oak and hardwood forests attract numerous cicadas. Private woodlots and tree farms throughout the state host regular cicada activity. Residential areas with mature shade trees in neighborhoods throughout Greenville, Charleston, Columbia, and Beaufort consistently hear cicada choruses. Golf courses and landscaped properties with diverse tree plantings often attract cicadas. Public forests and wildlife management areas including the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge provide excellent habitat. The forests surrounding inland reservoirs and lakes including Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie support active cicada populations. Swamp edges where hardwoods meet open water create ideal calling sites. Urban parks with substantial canopy coverage in all major cities host cicadas. Cicadas call primarily from high in trees and shrubs, often making their exact location difficult to pinpoint. Listening from different locations helps identify concentration areas. ExploreSouth Carolina's wildlife hubfor additional information about seasonal patterns and other insects.
Cicada Behavior and Life Cycle
South Carolina cicadas follow a multi-year cycle that typically spans two to five years from nymph to adult. The cycle begins when females lay eggs in small slits cut into twigs and branches. Eggs hatch after a few weeks, and tiny nymphs immediately fall to the ground and burrow into soil. Nymphs spend the vast majority of their lives underground, feeding on sap from plant roots. They molt multiple times as they grow, each molt revealing a slightly larger, more developed form. Environmental conditions influence development speed. Warm temperatures and adequate soil moisture accelerate growth, while cool or dry conditions slow it. When temperatures trigger final development, nymphs pupate and prepare for emergence. Nymphs typically emerge in evening hours, crawling up vegetation or nearby structures. Within hours of emerging, the adult sheds its nymphal skin and becomes a fully formed adult with expanded wings. The transformation is dramatic but takes just a few hours. Newly emerged adults are soft and pale at first, gradually hardening and darkening over a day or two. Males begin calling within days of emergence, establishing territories and attracting females. Females seek out calling males and mate. After mating, females begin depositing eggs, continuing the cycle. You can also browseSouth Carolina wildlife.
Coexistence and Safety Notes
Cicadas are completely harmless to humans and domestic animals. They do not bite, sting, or inject any venom or toxins. They pose zero threat to children, pets, or people of any age. Their only interaction with people consists mainly of the auditory experience of their calls. The only potential issue is minor branch damage from egg-laying. Female cicadas make small slits in twigs to deposit eggs, and those twigs may wilt or drop leaves below the cut. On healthy mature trees, this damage is absolutely minimal and causes no lasting harm to the tree. Young trees, nurseries, or ornamental plantings might benefit from temporary protective netting during peak cicada season if branch damage is a concern. Cicadas are protected as valuable components of South Carolina's ecosystem. They provide critical food for birds, mammals, and other insects during summer months when many animals are breeding or preparing for migration. Robins, cardinals, mockingbirds, woodpeckers, and many other bird species feed on adult cicadas. Raccoons, opossums, and other mammals consume nymphs and emerging adults. This food web role makes cicadas ecologically important to the broader ecosystem. You are welcome to observe and listen to cicadas throughout South Carolina's parks and natural areas. Visitthe wildlife hubto learn about other insects and animals sharing South Carolina's environment.
Species Confused with Cicadas
Katydids are grasshoppers commonly confused with cicadas throughout South Carolina. These insects are similar in size to cicadas but are typically green or brownish and possess extremely long, thin antennae. Katydid calls are distinctly different from cicada buzzing, typically consisting of repeated rasping sounds described as 'katy-did' or similar patterns. Katydids are generally smaller and more delicate than cicadas. Locusts, which are large grasshoppers, occasionally cause confusion, particularly where colloquial usage conflates the terms. True locusts are generally smaller than cicadas, have long antennae, and lack the specialized sound-producing structures that cicadas possess. Cicada hawk wasps are large solitary wasps that hunt and paralyze cicadas. While they can superficially resemble cicadas in size, they have more streamlined bodies and different wing structures. They are clearly predatory insects with different behavior. Ascalaphids and dobsonflies occasionally confuse newcomers, but these are aquatic or semi-aquatic insects with distinctly different body shapes and lifestyles. The key differences distinguishing cicadas from lookalikes include strong body structure, large compound eyes, and males producing continuous loud buzzing calls through specialized abdominal structures. These features are unique to cicadas among South Carolina insects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do male cicadas produce such loud and persistent buzzing sounds? Male cicadas buzz to attract females for mating. The sound is generated by vibrating specialized abdominal membranes called tymbals at extremely high frequencies, sometimes exceeding 4,000 vibrations per second. Different cicada species produce distinctly different call patterns, allowing females to locate males of their own species for successful reproduction. How long do adult cicadas live? Adult cicadas typically survive only three to six weeks above ground. During this brief period, they focus on feeding and reproduction. Most of their life is spent as underground nymphs, which can last two to five years. The short adult lifespan means cicadas must reproduce quickly to ensure future generations. Why do cicadas sometimes appear in enormous numbers? When many individuals complete their development cycle simultaneously, they emerge together in spectacular numbers. This synchronization creates the appearance of a sudden invasion. Periodical cicadas are particularly synchronized across large geographic areas, leading to dramatic population surges. Can cicadas damage my trees? Most mature, healthy trees tolerate cicadas without significant damage. The egg-laying slits females create are minor and rarely cause lasting harm. Young trees or nursery stock might suffer more noticeable branch damage and could benefit from temporary protective netting during peak emergence periods.
Plan your cicada sighting in South Carolina
1,225 verified cicada records have been logged in South Carolina, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in South Carolina
- Charles Pinckney National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Ninety Six National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Congaree National Park · Find hotels
- Cowpens National Battlefield · Find hotels
More places to see cicada
More wildlife in South Carolina