Cicadas are a part of the natural soundscape in Georgia, where these large, flying insects are common during the warmer months. They are best known for the incredibly loud, unmistakable buzzing or droning song produced exclusively by the males. This sound is a mating call that characterizes the summer season across the state. While they spend most of their lives hidden underground, their sudden and noisy emergence makes them one of the most recognizable insects in the region.
Annual Versus Periodical Cicadas in Georgia
The cicadas found in the state are divided into two groups based on their life cycles: annual and periodical. Annual cicadas, often called Dog-Day Cicadas, are the ones most residents hear every summer, typically from July through August. Although adults appear yearly, their full life cycle as nymphs feeding on tree roots lasts between two and five years. Adults emerge asynchronously, meaning different generations surface each year, giving the impression of an “annual” event.
These annual species are relatively large, often measuring up to two inches long, and tend to feature coloration that is black, brown, and green. Periodical cicadas, in sharp contrast, have synchronized life cycles that adhere strictly to either a 13-year or a 17-year schedule. When they emerge, they do so in massive, overwhelming numbers, a strategy known as predator saturation. Visually, these periodical insects are smaller than their annual counterparts, featuring striking black bodies and prominent, bright red eyes, often with transparent wings fringed orange.
Major Brood Emergence Cycles Relevant to Georgia
The massive, simultaneous emergence of periodical cicadas is organized into distinct groups called Broods, which are geographically isolated populations emerging in the same calendar year. Georgia is primarily home to one 13-year brood known as Brood XIX, which is also commonly referred to as the Great Southern Brood. Brood XIX is the largest and most widely distributed periodical cicada brood by geographical extent in North America. Its last major emergence in Georgia occurred in 2024, and its next scheduled appearance will be in 2037.
While the 13-year cycle is the most significant in the southern states, Georgia is also within the historical range of several 17-year broods. For instance, Brood X, known as the Great Eastern Brood, saw an emergence that reached into North Georgia in 2021. Other 17-year broods have been identified within the state’s boundaries, with another emergence expected in 2028.
Seasonal Appearances and Geographical Range
The timing of cicada sightings in Georgia depends on the type of insect encountered. The familiar annual cicadas consistently appear during the “Dog Days” of summer, typically beginning in mid-to-late July and continuing through August. In contrast, periodical cicadas emerge much earlier in the season, generally appearing in late April or May.
This earlier emergence is triggered by soil temperature, specifically when the ground eight inches deep reaches approximately 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Geographical distribution across Georgia also differs between the two types. Annual cicadas are widespread and can be found across the entire state in various habitats. The periodical broods, particularly the Great Southern Brood, are most concentrated in the central and northern halves of Georgia, having been verified in dozens of counties during past emergence years.