Tennessee’s summer symphony wouldn’t be complete without the distinctive drone of cicadas filling the warm air.
You might be surprised to learn that the Volunteer State hosts 13 different cicada species, each with unique emergence patterns, sounds, and identifying characteristics.
Whether you’re hearing the familiar buzz of annual dog-day cicadas or witnessing the spectacular emergence of periodical broods, understanding these fascinating insects enhances your appreciation of Tennessee’s natural rhythms.
This guide provides you with comprehensive identification tools for both annual species that appear every summer and the remarkable periodical cicadas that emerge on precise 13- or 17-year cycles.
You’ll discover how to distinguish between species by sight and sound, learn when and where to find each type, and gain insights into their ecological significance across Tennessee’s diverse habitats.
Annual Cicadas (appear every summer)
Annual cicadas are Tennessee’s most familiar summer soundtrack, emerging predictably each year from late June through early September. These robust insects spend 2-5 years underground as nymphs before emerging to mate and complete their life cycle. Unlike their periodical cousins, annual cicadas don’t synchronize their emergences, creating the steady background chorus that defines Tennessee summers.
Key Insight: Annual cicadas are often called “dog-day cicadas” because they emerge during the hottest “dog days” of summer, typically coinciding with the rise of Sirius, the Dog Star.
Dog-day Cicada
The dog-day cicada (Neotibicen canicularis) serves as Tennessee’s most widespread and recognizable annual species. These large, robust cicadas measure 1.5-2 inches in length and display distinctive green and black coloration with prominent orange wing veins. Their loud, sustained buzzing call can reach 100 decibels, making them audible from over a quarter-mile away.
You’ll typically encounter dog-day cicadas from mid-July through early September across Tennessee’s deciduous forests, suburban areas, and urban parks. They prefer oak, maple, and hickory trees for both feeding and egg-laying. The males produce their characteristic call by rapidly vibrating specialized organs called tymbals, creating the penetrating drone that peaks during the hottest part of the day.
Common Mistake: Many people assume all large summer cicadas are dog-day cicadas, but Tennessee hosts several similar-looking annual species that require closer examination to identify correctly.
Linne’s Cicada
Linne’s cicada (Neotibicen linnei) represents one of Tennessee’s most distinctive annual species, easily identified by its striking black body with bright green markings and clear wings with prominent dark veins. These medium-sized cicadas measure approximately 1.3-1.6 inches and produce a unique call that rises and falls in pitch, unlike the steady drone of dog-day cicadas.
This species emerges earlier than most annual cicadas, typically appearing in late June and remaining active through mid-August. You’ll find Linne’s cicadas primarily in Tennessee’s oak-hickory forests and mature suburban landscapes with established hardwood trees. They show particular preference for white oak and red oak species, where females use their saw-like ovipositors to create slits in bark for egg deposition.
The distinctive call pattern of Linne’s cicadas consists of a rising whine followed by a brief pause, repeated in regular intervals. This species demonstrates remarkable temperature sensitivity, with calling activity closely correlated to ambient temperature and humidity levels.
Scissor Grinder Cicada
The scissor grinder cicada (Neotibicen winnemanna) earns its name from the distinctive metallic, grinding sound it produces—reminiscent of scissors being sharpened on a grindstone. This species ranks among Tennessee’s smaller annual cicadas, measuring 1.2-1.5 inches with a predominantly brown and black coloration pattern that provides excellent camouflage against tree bark.
Scissor grinder cicadas emerge during Tennessee’s peak summer heat, typically from late July through early September. They demonstrate strong habitat preferences for mature deciduous forests, particularly areas with established elm, ash, and maple populations. Unlike many cicada species that call from high in the canopy, scissor grinders often position themselves on lower branches and even shrubs, making them more accessible for observation.
Pro Tip: Listen for the scissor grinder’s call during early morning or late afternoon hours when temperatures moderate slightly—they’re less active during the intense midday heat compared to other annual species.
| Species Comparison | Dog-day | Linne’s | Scissor Grinder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 1.5-2 inches | 1.3-1.6 inches | 1.2-1.5 inches |
| Primary Colors | Green/black/orange | Black/green | Brown/black |
| Call Pattern | Steady drone | Rising/falling whine | Metallic grinding |
| Peak Activity | Midday heat | Morning/evening | Moderate temperatures |
Swamp Cicada
The swamp cicada (Neotibicen tibicen tibicen) thrives in Tennessee’s wetland areas, bottomland forests, and riparian zones where moisture levels remain consistently high. This robust species measures 1.4-1.8 inches and displays mottled green and brown coloration that blends seamlessly with the humid forest environments it prefers.
Swamp cicadas produce one of the most complex calls among Tennessee’s annual species—a series of rising and falling pulses that can continue for several minutes without interruption. Their emergence pattern typically begins in early August and extends through September, coinciding with peak humidity levels in Tennessee’s wetland habitats.
You’ll encounter swamp cicadas along Tennessee’s major river systems, including the Mississippi, Tennessee, and Cumberland rivers, as well as in the cypress swamps of western Tennessee. They show strong associations with water-tolerant tree species such as bald cypress, water oak, and green ash, where they complete their multi-year development cycle.
Hieroglyphic Cicada
The hieroglyphic cicada (Neotibicen hieroglyphicus) derives its name from the intricate, symbol-like patterns adorning its wings and body. These markings create a distinctive appearance that makes this species one of Tennessee’s most easily identified annual cicadas when observed closely.
Measuring 1.3-1.7 inches, hieroglyphic cicadas display complex coloration patterns combining green, brown, and black elements with the characteristic hieroglyphic markings on their forewings. Their call consists of a series of short, sharp pulses rather than the sustained drones typical of other annual species.
This species demonstrates particular affinity for Tennessee’s mixed hardwood forests, especially areas with diverse canopy composition including oak, hickory, and tulip poplar. Hieroglyphic cicadas emerge from mid-July through late August, with peak activity occurring during the warmest weeks of summer.
Important Note: The hieroglyphic patterns can vary significantly between individuals, making this species challenging to identify based solely on markings—listen for the distinctive pulsed call pattern for confirmation.
Robinson’s Cicada
Robinson’s cicada (Neotibicen robinsonianus) represents one of Tennessee’s more recently recognized annual species, often overlooked due to its similarity to other Neotibicen species. This medium-sized cicada measures 1.2-1.6 inches and displays subtle but distinctive characteristics that separate it from close relatives.
The species produces a unique call characterized by a series of rising whistles followed by clicking sounds, creating a complex acoustic signature that experienced listeners can distinguish from other annual cicadas. Robinson’s cicadas typically emerge in late July and remain active through early September.
You’ll find Robinson’s cicadas in Tennessee’s upland hardwood forests, particularly areas dominated by oak and hickory species on well-drained soils. They show preference for mature forest habitats with diverse understory vegetation and minimal human disturbance.
Robinson’s cicadas demonstrate interesting behavioral adaptations, including altered calling patterns in response to ambient noise levels and modified emergence timing in areas with intensive human activity.
Southern Dog-day Cicada
The southern dog-day cicada (Neotibicen similaris) completes Tennessee’s annual cicada roster as a robust species closely related to the common dog-day cicada but with distinct southern distribution patterns and habitat preferences. These large cicadas measure 1.6-2.1 inches, making them among Tennessee’s largest annual species.
Southern dog-day cicadas display slightly different coloration than their northern cousins, with more pronounced orange and red tones in their wing veins and body markings. Their call resembles that of dog-day cicadas but typically exhibits a slightly higher pitch and more variable rhythm.
This species shows strong preference for Tennessee’s southern counties and demonstrates association with warm-season oak species and pine-hardwood mixed forests. Southern dog-day cicadas emerge from late July through September, with the longest activity period of any Tennessee annual species.
Key Insight: Southern dog-day cicadas serve as important indicators of forest health in Tennessee’s transitional ecological zones, where their presence indicates mature, stable hardwood communities.
Periodical Cicadas (emerge on 13- or 17-year cycles)
Periodical cicadas represent one of nature’s most remarkable phenomena, with synchronized mass emergences occurring on precise 13- or 17-year cycles across specific geographic regions called broods. Tennessee hosts portions of several major broods, creating spectacular natural events that can produce over 1 million cicadas per acre during peak emergence years.
These smaller, darker cicadas differ dramatically from annual species in their synchronized life cycles, mass emergence behavior, and distinctive red-orange eyes. Understanding Tennessee’s periodical cicada broods helps you predict and witness these extraordinary natural spectacles that have fascinated observers for centuries.
Pro Tip: Mark your calendar for Tennessee’s major periodical emergences—Brood XIII (17-year) emerged in 2024 and will return in 2041, while Brood XIX (13-year) last emerged in 2024 and returns in 2037.
Magicicada Septendecim (17-year)
Magicicada septendecim stands as the most widespread 17-year periodical cicada species across Tennessee’s northern and central counties. These distinctive insects measure 1-1.3 inches with black bodies, clear wings with orange veins, and the characteristic bright red-orange eyes that distinguish all periodical cicadas from annual species.
The species produces a distinctive call described as a continuous “pharaoh” sound that can be heard from considerable distances during peak emergence periods. Males call from deciduous trees, particularly oak, maple, and hickory species, creating an overwhelming chorus that can reach 100 decibels when thousands of individuals call simultaneously.
M. septendecim nymphs spend exactly 17 years underground, feeding on tree root fluids and slowly developing through five growth stages. Their emergence synchronization represents one of nature’s most precise biological clocks, with entire populations emerging within a 2-3 week window when soil temperatures reach 64°F at 8-inch depth.
You’ll encounter this species across Tennessee’s Brood XIII regions, including portions of Davidson, Williamson, and surrounding central counties. Their mass emergence creates temporary but intense ecological interactions, providing feast conditions for predators while ensuring species survival through predator saturation.
Magicicada Cassini (17-year)
Magicicada cassini accompanies M. septendecim in Tennessee’s 17-year broods but produces distinctly different acoustic signatures that allow experienced observers to distinguish between species even during mixed choruses. This species creates a series of short, tick-like clicks followed by a brief buzz, earning it the nickname “dwarf cicada” despite similar size to other periodical species.
M. cassini demonstrates unique behavioral characteristics during emergence periods, with males often calling from lower positions in trees compared to septendecim. This vertical partitioning may reduce competition and hybridization between closely related species sharing the same emergence timing and geographic ranges.
The species shows particular association with oak-dominated forest communities across Tennessee’s periodical cicada regions. During emergence years, M. cassini often appears in slightly higher numbers in areas with mature white oak and red oak populations, suggesting specialized host plant relationships developed over millennia.
Important Note: M. cassini hybridizes occasionally with other 17-year species, producing intermediate call patterns and physical characteristics that can complicate field identification during major emergence events.
Magicicada Septendecula (17-year)
Magicicada septendecula represents the third member of Tennessee’s 17-year periodical cicada complex, distinguished by its unique call pattern consisting of a continuous buzz similar to a toy ray gun or science fiction sound effect. This distinctive acoustic signature makes septendecula easily identifiable even when mixed with other species during emergence periods.
The species typically emerges slightly later than septendecim and cassini, creating temporal succession within the broader 17-year emergence window. This timing difference may reflect subtle habitat preferences or evolutionary adaptations that reduce interspecific competition during critical mating periods.
M. septendecula shows distribution patterns across Tennessee that closely follow elevation gradients and forest composition, with highest densities occurring in mixed oak-hickory forests between 800-1,200 feet elevation. The species demonstrates remarkable site fidelity, with emergence locations remaining consistent across multiple 17-year cycles.
During peak emergence years, septendecula contributes significantly to the acoustic landscape of Tennessee’s periodical cicada regions, with their distinctive calls adding complexity to the overall chorus and helping maintain species boundaries through acoustic mate recognition.
| 17-Year Species Comparison | M. septendecim | M. cassini | M. septendecula |
|---|---|---|---|
| Call Description | Continuous “pharaoh” | Short clicks + buzz | Continuous ray-gun buzz |
| Calling Position | High in canopy | Mid to lower canopy | Variable height |
| Habitat Preference | General deciduous | Oak-dominated | Mixed oak-hickory |
| Emergence Timing | Early in window | Early to mid window | Late in window |
Magicicada Tredecim (13-year)
Magicicada tredecim leads Tennessee’s 13-year periodical cicada species, following identical life cycle patterns to 17-year species but compressed into 13-year cycles. This species produces calls nearly identical to M. septendecim, requiring careful observation of emergence timing and geographic location for accurate identification.
The 13-year cycle adaptation likely represents an evolutionary response to different climatic conditions, with shorter development periods suited to warmer southern regions. M. tredecim demonstrates remarkable precision in its 13-year timing, with entire populations emerging synchronously across Tennessee’s southern counties.
You’ll encounter M. tredecim primarily in Tennessee’s Brood XIX regions, which include portions of southern and western counties. Their emergence creates spectacular natural events comparable to 17-year species but occurring more frequently, allowing more opportunities to witness periodical cicada phenomena.
The species shows strong associations with bottomland hardwood forests and riparian zones, where consistent moisture levels may support the precise physiological processes required for synchronized development timing.
Magicicada Tredecassini (13-year)
Magicicada tredecassini serves as the 13-year counterpart to M. cassini, producing similar tick-and-buzz call patterns but following 13-year development cycles. This species demonstrates identical behavioral characteristics to its 17-year relative, including preferences for mid-canopy calling positions and oak-dominated forest habitats.
The species contributes significantly to acoustic diversity during 13-year emergence events, with its distinctive clicking calls providing rhythmic counterpoint to the continuous sounds of other periodical species. M. tredecassini often shows slight differences in emergence timing compared to tredecim, creating temporal complexity within 13-year broods.
Geographic distribution patterns of M. tredecassini across Tennessee closely follow elevation gradients and soil moisture conditions, with highest densities occurring in well-drained upland sites with mature oak canopy development.
Common Mistake: Distinguishing between 13-year and 17-year cassini species requires knowledge of brood emergence timing and geographic location—the calls and appearance are nearly identical between these closely related forms.
Magicicada Tredecula (13-year)
Magicicada tredecula completes Tennessee’s periodical cicada diversity as the 13-year version of septendecula, producing identical ray-gun-like buzzing calls but following accelerated 13-year development cycles. This species maintains all the distinctive characteristics of its 17-year counterpart while adapting to southern climate conditions.
The species demonstrates fascinating evolutionary relationships with 17-year populations, representing relatively recent speciation events driven by climate adaptation and geographic isolation. M. tredecula populations show genetic similarities to septendecula while maintaining distinct development timing that prevents interbreeding.
During 13-year emergence events, tredecula provides essential acoustic diversity that helps maintain species boundaries and supports successful mate recognition within mixed-species choruses. Their late emergence timing within 13-year windows creates extended periods of cicada activity across Tennessee’s southern regions.
Key Insight: The evolution of 13-year and 17-year cycles in closely related species represents one of the most remarkable examples of temporal isolation as a speciation mechanism in North American insects.
Understanding Tennessee’s Cicada Cycles
Tennessee’s unique geographic position places it at the intersection of multiple periodical cicada broods, creating complex emergence patterns that vary by region and timing.
The state experiences both 13-year and 17-year emergences, with some areas hosting overlapping populations that create extraordinary natural spectacles during coincident emergence years.
Brood Overlap Events: The most spectacular cicada emergences occur when 13-year and 17-year broods coincide in the same geographic region. Tennessee experienced this rare phenomenon in 2024, when Brood XIII (17-year) and Brood XIX (13-year) emerged simultaneously across portions of central and southern counties. This co-emergence won’t occur again until 2245, making it a once-in-several-lifetimes natural event.
The ecological impact of mass cicada emergences extends far beyond the insects themselves. These events provide massive food resources for birds, mammals, reptiles, and other wildlife, while cicada emergence holes aerate soil and their decomposing bodies contribute significant nutrients to forest ecosystems. Trees benefit from natural pruning as females deposit eggs in branches, and the synchronized emergence strategy ensures species survival through predator saturation.
Pro Tip: Track Tennessee’s future emergence events by monitoring soil temperatures in late spring—periodical cicadas begin emerging when soil reaches 64°F at 8-inch depth, typically occurring in early May across most of Tennessee.
Understanding cicada identification enhances your appreciation of Tennessee’s remarkable biodiversity while connecting you to natural cycles that have persisted for millions of years. Whether you’re documenting annual species during summer hiking or witnessing the spectacle of periodical emergences, these distinctive insects offer unique opportunities to observe evolutionary adaptations and ecological relationships in action.
Tennessee’s cicadas represent living connections to ancient forests and prehistoric climate patterns, with their synchronized emergence cycles serving as precise biological calendars that mark the passage of time in ways human civilizations have only recently begun to understand. Each species contributes essential elements to Tennessee’s acoustic landscape, creating the distinctive soundscapes that define summer evenings and mark seasonal transitions across the Volunteer State.
