Dog-day cicadas in Texas: What are they and why they're so loud during the summer
Yes, it sounds eerie, but it's a natural phenomenon. Dog-day cicadas appear throughout Texas during the summer months.
Here is why these insects are making a buzz.
What are dog-day cicadas?
According to Cicada Mania, these cicadas get their name from the term 'dog days of summer,' because they show up during the peak of the season.
Dog-day cicadas are easily recognized by their mottled shades of green, brown, black, and white — an earthy palette that blends seamlessly into the tree canopies they call home. While the term 'dog-day cicada' often refers broadly to many members of the Neotibicen genus, only a select few species carry the name explicitly.
Neotibicen davisi, also known as the southern (or Davis's southeastern) dog‑day cicada, has two subspecies and is found in many southern and eastern states, including Texas. Adults emerge in mid-summer through fall, typically from July to October, and sometimes as late as December in some regions.
What is the life cycle of a dog-day cicada?
Although these cicadas appear in large numbers above ground, their adult life is short. According to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, adults live for five to six weeks once they emerge.
During this brief time above ground, their main focus is reproduction. Males sing loudly, crooning to attract females. After mating, females lay eggs in tree branches.
Before reaching adulthood, dog‑day cicadas spend two to five years underground as nymphs — feeding on sap from tree roots and steadily developing. So while their adult life is short and noisy, their underground journey is long and quiet.
What do dog-day cicadas eat?
Not to worry — these insects are not garden pests. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, adults avoid leaves but may sip fluids from tender twigs, while nymphs feed underground on sap from tree roots.
Are dog-day cicadas harmful to trees?
On mature trees, cicadas typically cause minimal harm.
According to the Texas Trees Foundation.org, any damage usually occurs on the smaller twigs and branches within the canopy, where females create tiny slits in the wood to deposit their eggs beneath the bark.
Once the eggs hatch, the larvae drop to the ground and burrow below the surface to continue developing.
Cicadas only become a concern when large numbers target young or fruit-bearing trees. Excessive scarring from egg-laying can stress these vulnerable trees, making them more susceptible to pests and disease.
Why are cicadas so loud?
These creatures can be very noisy, but there's a purpose. According to Texas Trees Foundation.org, cicadas produce sound for two reasons: to deter predators and, more commonly, to attract a mate.
Only the males sing, typically calling continuously during the hottest parts of the day until they successfully attract a female. So if you hear a hissing noise while you're outside, it's likely just cicadas doing their thing.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Dog-day cicadas are back in Texas: Here's what that buzzing means
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