Cicadas are found in California, though their presence and behavior differ significantly from the large, synchronized periodical emergences observed in the Eastern United States. While many people associate cicadas with massive, overwhelming swarms, the California cicada experience is more subtle. The state hosts a diverse array of cicada species, contributing to the natural soundscape without the dramatic, widespread events seen elsewhere.
Cicadas in California: The Reality
Cicadas are present across various regions of California. The state is home to annual cicadas, not the periodical broods found in the Midwest and South that emerge every 13 or 17 years. There are at least 65 species of cicadas in California, spanning eight different genera. These annual cicadas emerge in late spring or early summer and continue throughout the summer months. Their emergence is more dispersed, lacking the sudden, large-scale appearance of periodical cicadas.
California’s landscape, lacking widespread, dense deciduous forests favored by many Eastern U.S. cicada species, influences their common habitats. Cicadas in California inhabit warmer inland areas, foothills, and certain desert regions. Unlike dramatic synchronized emergences, California’s cicadas appear in more modest numbers, making their presence less noticeable to the general public.
Understanding California’s Cicada Species
California is home to a variety of cicada genera, including Diceroprocta, Okanagana, and Platypedia. The genus Okanagana alone accounts for at least 36 species within California, making it the most diverse cicada genus in North America. These cicadas vary in appearance, being robust insects up to 1.5 inches long with clear wings, often blackish or dark brown, with some exhibiting green, orange, or red markings.
Male cicadas produce sounds to attract mates, ranging from loud, shrill buzzes to clicks. While some Eastern U.S. species can reach volumes comparable to a jackhammer, California cicadas produce quieter rasping or clicking calls. For example, Diceroprocta apache, the Citrus Cicada, is found in southeastern California, characterized by orange highlights and a dark and tan body.
The life cycles of California’s cicadas are annual or multi-year, meaning some individuals emerge each year, rather than in synchronized broods. For many species, the nymph stage, where they live underground feeding on root xylem fluid, can last several years before they emerge as adults. Some Okanagana species exhibit a “protoperiodical” emergence, influenced by cumulative rainfall, typically every 2-5 years. This staggered emergence means their presence is less concentrated and less conspicuous.