Cicadas are present in Las Vegas, contributing to the distinct sounds of summer in the desert. However, the cicadas found here are annual cicadas, unlike the large, synchronized broods that periodically emerge in other parts of the United States.
Cicada Species in Las Vegas
The cicadas commonly found in urban Las Vegas are primarily annual cicadas, particularly the Apache cicada (Diceroprocta apache). This species is native to the Las Vegas Valley and much of the Southwest. While Nevada is home to nearly two dozen different cicada species, the Apache cicada is the most prominent in the metropolitan area. Periodical cicadas, which emerge in massive numbers every 13 or 17 years, do not occur in Nevada.
Their Lifecycle and Seasonal Presence
Cicadas in Las Vegas follow an annual emergence pattern, though their full lifecycle spans several years. After hatching from eggs laid in tree twigs, tiny nymphs fall to the ground and burrow into the soil. They spend years underground, feeding on fluids from tree roots; some Apache cicadas may remain underground for five to ten years. As desert heat intensifies from late spring into summer, mature nymphs surface, climb onto trees or other vertical surfaces, shed their exoskeletons, and transform into winged adults. This adult stage is relatively brief, typically lasting four to six weeks, during which they focus on mating and egg-laying.
Their Sound and Behavior
The most noticeable characteristic of cicadas in Las Vegas is their loud, distinct sound. This buzzing or humming is produced by male cicadas using specialized organs called timbals, located on their abdomens. Their song serves as a mating call to attract females, and the sound can carry up to a quarter of a mile. Cicadas are generally harmless to humans; they do not bite and are not known to transmit diseases. Though adult females create slits in twigs to lay eggs, damage to plants is typically minimal, and adult cicadas do not feed while nymphs consume root fluids underground.
Distinguishing Them From Other Insects
Many people confuse cicadas with locusts, but these are entirely different insects. Locusts are a type of grasshopper, known for swarming and causing agricultural damage, whereas cicadas are larger, winged insects that do not swarm destructively. To distinguish cicadas, look for their robust bodies, large, widely-set eyes, and transparent, veined wings that fold over their backs. Apache cicadas, for example, are typically about two inches long and often have dark bodies with a distinctive yellow band. Another identifying feature is the presence of their shed nymphal exoskeletons; these empty, brown casings can frequently be found clinging to tree trunks, fences, or walls, offering clear evidence of a cicada’s recent emergence.