Cicadas are large, noisy insects known for their unique life cycles and signaling the arrival of summer. They are recognized by the loud, buzzing chorus produced by males, a sound that dominates the warm air. Curiosity about these insects often spikes when people hear their distinct sound or see their discarded exoskeletons.
Are Cicadas Found in Massachusetts
Cicadas are present in Massachusetts, and their populations are divided into two fundamental groups based on emergence patterns: annual cicadas and periodical cicadas. The primary difference between the two lies in the timing and synchronization of their adult appearances above ground.
Massachusetts hosts nine documented species of cicadas. Annual cicadas appear every year, while periodical cicadas emerge on a long, fixed schedule. The presence of both types means residents hear cicada song every summer, but the spectacle of mass emergence is much less common.
The Annual Cicada Presence
The most frequently encountered cicadas in Massachusetts are the annual cicadas, often called Dog-day cicadas. Their name comes from their typical emergence period, which coincides with the “dog days” of summer, spanning from late July through September. This type of cicada is the source of the familiar, loud buzzing sound heard every year.
Although they emerge annually, the life cycle of a Dog-day cicada lasts between two and five years underground. The population’s life cycles are staggered, meaning a portion of the total population reaches maturity and emerges as adults every year. This lack of synchronization ensures adults are present to breed every summer season. The most common annual species found in Massachusetts is Neotibicen canicularis.
Male cicadas produce their characteristic sound using specialized structures called tymbals located on their abdomen. This sound is a mating call intended to attract females and can be highly intense, sometimes reaching over 90 decibels in a full chorus. Annual cicadas are solitary in their emergence, appearing individually rather than in the synchronous swarms seen with the periodical type.
Understanding Periodical Cicada Broods
Periodical cicadas are defined by their unique, synchronized emergences that occur only every 13 or 17 years. Massachusetts is home to a single active periodical cicada group known as Brood XIV. These insects spend 17 years underground as nymphs before simultaneously emerging as adults in massive numbers.
The range of Brood XIV in Massachusetts is localized and patchy, primarily centered around the southeastern region and Cape Cod. The last major emergence of Brood XIV occurred in 2008. The next 17-year cycle is expected to bring their reappearance in 2025, an event that will not happen again until 2042.
The appearance of these broods is a natural phenomenon, and the sheer number of emerging individuals is a survival strategy known as predator satiation. By appearing all at once, they overwhelm predators, ensuring enough individuals survive to reproduce and lay the eggs for the next generation. The emergence typically lasts for about four to six weeks, beginning when the soil temperature reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit.
Identifying Cicadas by Appearance and Sound
Distinguishing between the annual Dog-day cicada and the periodical cicadas is possible by observing their physical traits and calls. Annual cicadas are noticeably larger, measuring around 2.25 inches in length. They have a body coloration that is black with distinct green or olive markings, and their eyes are black or dark brown.
Periodical cicadas are smaller, usually between 1 and 1.5 inches long, and feature a jet-black body. Their most recognizable features are bright red eyes and a reddish-orange tint on their wings. The male’s song also differs; the annual cicada produces a loud, sustained, and raspy buzz. The periodical cicada’s song is a more rhythmic, pulsating chorus, which can be overwhelming due to the sheer number of insects singing at once.