The Dog-day Cicada is the familiar annual cicada of eastern North America, emerging each summer during the 'dog days' and producing an intense, whirring song from the treetops. Individual nymphs take 2–5 years to develop underground on tree roots but adults emerge every summer because generations are staggered. Males produce sound with drum-like tymbals in their abdomens.
Best time to see a Dog-day Cicada
The best time to see a Dog-day Cicada is July–August, when about 80% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 2,522 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Dog-day Cicada? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Dog-day Cicada sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Dog-day Cicada? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.
Get HuckGet an alert when a Dog-day Cicada is spotted
Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.
Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.
Love insects & arthropods? Get Huck field notes
Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.