Are There Cicadas in Washington?

Where Cicadas Are Found in Washington

Cicadas in Washington concentrate primarily east of the Cascade Mountains, where summer heat and lower humidity create more favorable conditions. The dry ponderosa pine forests of central and eastern Washington from Spokane south to the Tri-Cities region support established populations. Western Washington hosts populations in drier habitats and open oak-dominated areas, particularly around the Puget Sound region's older neighborhoods and parks with mature shade trees. The Columbia River Gorge provides suitable habitat along its slopes and riparian areas. The forested mountains of the Blue Mountains and Wallowa range in northeastern Washington support some populations in oak and mixed conifer stands. Cicadas are less abundant in the wet rainforest areas of the Olympic Peninsula and southwestern Washington, where cool temperatures and high moisture limit their success. A guide toWashington wildlifeprovides information about all the state's diverse species.

Season and Timing in Washington

Washington cicadas typically emerge in late June or early July, peaking in mid-July through August. The timing depends heavily on air temperature; warmer years bring earlier emergences and stronger populations, while cool, wet summers may suppress activity or prevent emergence entirely. Washington lacks the periodical cicada broods that dominate the eastern United States; only annual cicada species occur in the state. These annual species follow no synchronized emergence pattern; instead, different individuals emerge across a span of weeks. The Pacific Northwest's variable climate means cicada calling intensity and duration vary considerably from year to year. Some years produce loud, obvious choruses in favorable locations, while other years bring minimal activity. Underground nymph development in Washington likely extends longer than in warmer regions due to cooler soil temperatures, potentially spanning multiple years before emergence. For more on cicada in Washington, see ourWashington cicada guide.

How to Identify a Cicada

Washington cicadas are medium-sized insects, typically ranging from 1 to 1.5 inches long. Most display dark brown, gray, or tan coloration that blends well with tree bark and dead wood. Their bodies are strong and built for clinging to bark rather than flying. Male cicadas produce the distinctive buzzing, whining, or droning sounds characteristic of the group. These vocalizations emanate from specialized tymbal structures on the abdomen and can reach surprising volumes despite the small size of individual insects. Females are silent and lack visible tymbal plates, though they are otherwise similar in appearance to males. Both sexes have relatively short antennae positioned on the head and long, straw-like piercing beaks held underneath their bodies. The molted exoskeletons called shells adhere tightly to tree bark and branches and can persist for weeks or months after adult emergence and death. You can also browseWashington wildlife.

Where Sightings Concentrate in Washington

Reliable cicada sightings in Washington occur most frequently east of the Cascades. The Juniper and ponderosa forests around the Bend area of central Oregon extend into south-central Washington and support consistent populations. The Blue Mountains of northeastern Washington, particularly around the Grand Ronde Valley and adjacent forested slopes, host established cicada populations. West of the Cascades, cicadas concentrate in the drier oak-dominated areas of the Puget Trough and valleys around Salem, Oregon, which extends into southwestern Washington. Residential neighborhoods in the Seattle, Spokane, and Tri-Cities areas with mature shade trees occasionally report cicada activity during warm summers. The Columbia River Gorge's eastern sections with oak and ponderosa woodland provide suitable habitat. The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest region offers good cicada habitat in its mixed conifer and oak stands. Wetlands and rainforests are poor cicada habitat and should not be expected to host populations. See all of ourwildlife guides.

Typical Cicada Behavior

Washington cicadas spend most of their lives underground as nymphs, feeding on root xylem fluids through their piercing beaks. After emerging from the soil as adults, they immediately climb into trees and begin feeding on xylem from aerial plant parts. Males establish calling sites and produce vocalizations designed to attract females. The male's call is energetically expensive and serves dual purposes: attracting mates and competing with other males for female attention. Females attracted to calling males approach and mate; after successful mating, females lay eggs by cutting small slits into tree twigs and branches. The emerging nymphs drop to the soil and burrow down, where they may spend several years developing before emerging as adults. Because Washington lacks the synchronized periodical cicadas of the East, different age cohorts may emerge in different years, spreading emergence events across time. Adult cicadas live only weeks after emergence, making their above-ground presence brief and focused entirely on reproduction.

Coexistence and Safety Notes

Washington cicadas are completely harmless to people and pets. They do not bite, sting, or transmit any diseases or parasites. If handled roughly, they may attempt to pierce skin with their beaks in search of plant fluids, but this is rare and causes no injury. Cicadas cause only negligible damage to trees during egg-laying; the small twig incisions do not threaten tree health or vigor. In Washington's modest populations, cicada calls rarely create noise complaints or nuisance issues. Cicadas provide important food for birds, spiders, parasitic wasps, and other wildlife, making them ecologically valuable members of the ecosystem. Collecting live cicadas may require permits, but collecting empty molted shells from the ground is generally acceptable. Aguide to cicadas in Washingtonoffers detailed species and behavior information. Enjoying cicadas as part of the natural soundscape enriches summer evenings without any real downside.

Species People Confuse with Cicadas

The most common confusion involves cicadas and grasshoppers. Grasshoppers have elongated bodies with extremely long hind legs designed for jumping, while cicadas are more compact and have short legs suited for clinging. Katydids are also frequently mistaken for cicadas, though katydids have longer antennae, flatter bodies, and different call characteristics. Locust swarms, which are actually grasshoppers in a swarming phase, look nothing like cicadas. Cicada killers are large wasps that hunt cicadas for food; people sometimes mistake the wasp for the cicada itself. In Washington, the relative rarity of cicadas means most people have little reference for comparison, making identification primarily sound-based. Learning to recognize the unmistakable buzzing, droning, or whining call of a cicada is the most reliable identification method available to most observers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cicadas

Q: Why are Washington cicadas quieter than eastern cicadas? A: Western cicada populations are smaller and more dispersed than the massive periodical broods of the eastern United States. Fewer calling males means quieter overall choruses, even when individual insects produce sound at similar intensity levels.

Q: Are periodical cicadas coming to Washington? A: Periodical cicadas are restricted to the eastern and central United States and do not occur in Washington. Annual species are the only cicadas present in the state.

Q: What should I do if I find a cicada or empty shell? A: Cicadas are harmless and beneficial. Empty shells are interesting keepsakes that pose no problem. Living cicadas can be left undisturbed to complete their important reproductive function.

Q: Do cicadas hurt my garden or yard? A: Cicadas feed on tree xylem, not garden plants, and cause only negligible damage to trees. Gardens and yards are rarely affected by cicada activity. Explore thenational wildlife hubto learn about other insects and animals across North America.