Cicadas are present in Massachusetts, contributing to the state’s natural soundscape during warmer months. While their appearances may not always match the widespread emergences seen in some other U.S. regions, these insects are a regular part of the Massachusetts ecosystem. They add a distinct sound to summer days.
Cicada Species Found in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is home to annual and periodical cicada species. Annual cicadas, often called “dog-day cicadas,” are heard each summer. Species like Neotibicen canicularis are present annually because their two to five-year life cycles overlap. At least eight annual cicada species are found in Massachusetts, with the “Dog Day” cicada being the most common.
Periodical cicadas, in contrast, have much longer life cycles, emerging every 13 or 17 years. Massachusetts experiences periodical cicada emergences, though these are more localized than massive events in other states. Brood XIV, a 17-year periodical cicada, is the only brood regularly found in Massachusetts. Its emergence is concentrated in specific areas like Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts. While some individual periodical cicadas might appear, widespread events are less common across the state.
Understanding Cicada Emergence
The cicada life cycle involves three main stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Females lay eggs in slits on tree branches. After six to ten weeks, eggs hatch, and tiny nymphs drop to the ground. Nymphs then burrow into the soil, spending most of their lives feeding on sap from tree roots.
Annual cicadas spend two to five years underground as nymphs, their consistent presence due to overlapping generations. Periodical cicadas, like Brood XIV, remain underground for their full 13 or 17-year cycles. Emergence is triggered when soil temperature at 12-18 inches reaches approximately 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once mature, nymphs tunnel to the surface, molt into winged adults, and mate. This adult stage is short, lasting only a few weeks. Brood XIV, for example, last emerged in 2008, appeared again in late May to early June of 2025 in parts of Massachusetts, and will not be seen again until 2042.
Cicadas and Their Environment
The distinctive buzzing sound of cicadas is primarily a mating call from males. They generate this sound using specialized organs called tymbals, ribbed membranes on their abdomen. Muscles rapidly vibrate these tymbals, creating a loud, continuous buzzing. The male cicada’s hollow abdomen amplifies this sound, making it audible over distances.
Cicadas are harmless to humans, pets, and mature plants. They do not bite or sting; while their legs may feel ticklish, they pose no threat. Female cicadas can cause minor damage to young trees when laying eggs in small branches, but this is not a significant concern for established trees and can act as natural pruning. Cicadas are not agricultural pests; adults consume only small amounts of sap and do not eat leaves, flowers, or garden produce.
Cicadas play a beneficial role in the ecosystem. Their emergence provides a food source for birds, small mammals, reptiles, and other wildlife. Nymph tunnels aerate the soil, improving water infiltration and structure. When cicadas die, their decaying bodies return nutrients to the soil, acting as natural fertilizer.
It is important to distinguish cicadas from locusts. Cicadas are true bugs, while locusts are a type of grasshopper known for forming destructive swarms that consume crops. Cicadas do not swarm destructively like locusts.