Are There Cicadas in West Virginia?

Where Cicadas Are Found in West Virginia

Cicadas occur throughout West Virginia in virtually every habitat containing mature trees. The Appalachian Mountains dominate the state's terrain, and their oak, hickory, and mixed hardwood forests provide ideal cicada habitat across all regions. The New River Gorge's forested slopes and river corridor support particularly strong populations. The Kanawha River valley and its adjacent hillsides host established populations that emerge reliably every summer. Pocahontas County's extensive forests in central West Virginia contain among the healthiest cicada areas in the state. The Monongahela National Forest's vast acreage in eastern West Virginia supports rich cicada diversity. Wetlands and bottomland forests along the Potomac River, the Shenandoah River, and the Ohio River systems all host populations. Even relatively developed areas with mature shade trees often attract cicadas during emergence years. Learn more aboutWest Virginia wildlifeto find the state's rich natural heritage.

Season and Timing in West Virginia

West Virginia cicadas follow two patterns. Annual cicada species emerge sporadically from June through August each year, with peak calling occurring in July and early August during the hottest weeks. Periodical cicadas create the most spectacular events, with West Virginia experiencing portions of multiple brood zones. The state regularly witnesses 13-year and 17-year Magicicada emergences on a rotating schedule. When periodical broods emerge, millions of cicadas can blanket forests simultaneously, creating deafening choruses that persist for four to six weeks. Recent West Virginia periodical emergences occurred in 2011 (17-year) and 2015 (13-year), with future emergences following predictable schedules. During non-brood years, annual cicadas provide the summer soundtrack. The intensity of annual cicada activity varies year to year depending on spring weather and soil moisture conditions. Underground development periods for cicada nymphs vary by species and environmental conditions. For more on cicada in West Virginia, see ourWest Virginia cicada guide.

How to Identify a Cicada

West Virginia cicadas are large, strong insects ranging from 1 to 2 inches long. Most display brownish, tan, or mottled gray coloration providing excellent camouflage when resting on tree bark. Periodical Magicicada species often have striking reddish eyes and dark bodies, making them more visually distinctive than the more subdued annual species. All cicadas have heavily built bodies designed for clinging to bark rather than flying long distances. The most recognizable feature is their sound; males produce distinctive buzzing, droning, whining, or pulsating calls that vary by species. These vocalizations originate from specialized tymbal structures on their abdomens vibrating hundreds of times per second. Both males and females possess long, straw-like beaks hidden underneath their bodies, used to pierce plant stems and extract xylem fluid. Relatively short antennae position themselves on the head. Molted exoskeletons adhering to trees provide visible evidence of recent emergences. You can also browseWest Virginia wildlife.

Where Sightings Concentrate in West Virginia

Cicada sightings concentrate in West Virginia's extensive forested regions. New River Gorge National River consistently provides excellent cicada-viewing opportunities with particularly high population densities in surrounding woodlands. The Monongahela National Forest in eastern West Virginia hosts dense populations in its oak-hickory dominance and mixed conifer areas. Pocahontas County's public forests and state wildlife management areas support strong populations easily accessed by hikers and nature fans. The Kanawha River valley from Charleston eastward toward Fayetteville provides reliable cicada habitat and accessible viewing locations. The Greenbrier River drainage in south-central West Virginia supports populations in its forested slopes. Urban and suburban areas throughout the state, including Charleston, Huntington, and Morgantown, host populations in residential areas with mature shade trees. State parks like Babcock State Park provide both excellent habitat and comfortable observation points during peak emergence seasons. See all of ourwildlife guides.

Typical Cicada Behavior

West Virginia cicadas spend years underground as nymphs, feeding on xylem fluids extracted through their piercing beaks from plant roots. Following emergence as adults, they immediately climb into trees and begin feeding on above-ground plant tissues. Males produce elaborate calls designed to attract females and compete with other males for mating access. Different cicada species have distinctly different calls ranging from steady buzzes to pulsating rhythms and rising-falling wails. Males concentrate their calling during the warmest hours of the day, typically from mid-morning through mid-afternoon. Females attracted to calling sites find mates and lay eggs by cutting slits into tree twigs and branches. Eggs hatch into nymphs that drop to soil and burrow down for development spanning years underground. Periodical nymphs develop for exactly 13 or 17 years before synchronized emergence. Annual cicada nymphs complete development in fewer years. Adult lifespans are brief, lasting only weeks from emergence through completion of reproduction and natural death.

Coexistence and Safety Notes

Cicadas are completely harmless to people and pets. They do not bite, sting, or carry diseases. If roughly handled, they may attempt to pierce skin with their beaks seeking plant fluids, but this rarely occurs and causes no injury. Cicadas are protected by West Virginia wildlife law as native species; collection of living cicadas without permit is prohibited. Their ecological value is enormous; cicadas provide critical food for birds, reptiles, spiders, wasps, and other predators. Cicada damage to trees is negligible and temporary; twig incisions made during egg-laying pose no threat to tree health or vigor. Many West Virginians view the cicada chorus as a cherished part of summer's natural symphony, though some find high-volume calling bothersome. Closing windows during peak calling hours can reduce indoor noise if needed. Aguide to cicadas in West Virginiaprovides detailed information about local species and behavior.

Species People Confuse with Cicadas

Grasshoppers are the most commonly confused insects; however, they have elongated bodies, extremely long hind legs built for jumping, and produce sound by rubbing legs against bodies. Cicadas are stockier, have short legs designed for clinging, and use abdominal tymbals for sound production. Katydids are sometimes mistaken for cicadas despite their flatter bodies, longer antennae, and different call patterns. Locusts, despite their name, are actually grasshoppers in a swarming phase and look nothing like cicadas. Cicada killers are large parasitic wasps that hunt cicadas; people sometimes confuse the wasp with its cicada prey. Molted cicada shells still adhering to trees are sometimes mistaken for living insects. West Virginia's rich invertebrate diversity means many similar insects exist, but cicada calls and clinging behavior provide reliable identification once observed and compared to other species.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cicadas

Q: When will the next periodical cicada brood emerge in West Virginia? A: West Virginia experiences multiple brood zones on rotating cycles. Recent brood years were 2011 and 2015. Future emergences follow predictable schedules based on underground development completion; resources tracking these cycles provide year-by-year forecasts.

Q: Why do cicada calls get so incredibly loud? A: Male cicada tymbals vibrate hundreds of times per second, producing sound exceeding 90 decibels. Louder calls carry farther and better attract distant females, giving males competitive advantage in reproduction.

Q: Do cicadas actually damage West Virginia trees? A: Cicada damage is temporary and minimal. Tree twig incisions for egg-laying pose no real threat to tree health, and West Virginia forests easily recover from any impacts.

Q: What should I do if I find cicada shells? A: Empty molted shells are harmless and interesting natural curiosities. Collecting shells from the ground or trees is generally acceptable. Live cicadas should be left undisturbed to complete reproduction. Visit thenational wildlife hubto learn about other wildlife across the continent.