Cicadas: The Loud, Harmless Summer Visitors

Waking to a loud, screeching sound on your porch can be startling. If the culprit is a lime-green, lemon-shaped insect about an inch long, you've likely encountered a cicada.

What Are Cicadas?

Cicadas are large, plant-feeding insects in the order Hemiptera. They have prominent wide-set eyes, transparent veined wings, and stout bodies. Over 3,000 species exist worldwide, with about 170 in North America. They are often mistakenly called "locusts," but true locusts are grasshoppers.

The Source of the Noise

Only male cicadas produce the ear-splitting buzz, which can exceed 100 decibels. They possess specialized structures called tymbals on the sides of their abdominal base. By rapidly vibrating these membranes with strong muscles, and using their hollow abdomen as a resonance chamber, they create a deafening chorus to attract females. Each species has a distinct song.

Life Cycle and Emergence

Cicadas spend most of their lives underground as nymphs, feeding on tree root sap. Depending on the species, this stage lasts 2–17 years. Periodical cicadas (e.g., Brood IV in Oklahoma) emerge en masse every 13 or 17 years, while annual cicadas appear every summer. After emerging, they climb vertical surfaces, molt into adults, mate, lay eggs in tree twigs, and die within weeks.

Are They Harmful?

No. Cicadas do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases. They are not pests of homes or structures. Their egg-laying can cause minor twig dieback on young trees, but mature trees easily withstand it. They are a vital food source for birds, mammals, and other insects.

Cicadas in Oklahoma

Oklahoma hosts at least 12 cicada species, including the 17-year periodical Brood IV. Emergences are spectacular but temporary. No control is needed—simply enjoy the natural spectacle and the brief, loud reminder of nature's cycles.