Prepare Your Ears The Sounds Of Cicadas In Florida This Spring

Ahh, the soothing sounds of nature. Sometimes there is nothing like it. Whether it’s the sounds of the spring peepers welcoming us into warmer weather or the buzzing of millions of cicadas in late spring, Florida has a ton of great natural sounds to look forward to. In fact, according to entomologists, 2020 might just bring about more cicadas than we are used to in Florida. Here is what to expect…

Cicadas are a pretty fascinating bug when you break it down, not just because of the unique sound they create, but also because of their vast life-cycles.

Flickr Jeff-o-matic

There are over 3,000 known species of cicada, and Florida has 19 of those species within state-lines.

Flickr iLike.sky

While the most popular group of cicadas known as the “periodical cicadas” won’t be found in Florida, you can find them in northern states such as North Carolina or Connecticut.

Flickr Becky Striepe

What cicadas are best known for are their very loud mating calls, which can be heard during the warmer months, often in unison echoing each other.

Flickr Yamanaka Tamaki

Males make the loud buzzing sound which is what attracts the females to them—the reason why the sound is so loud is that the males try to compete for the strongest sounds, in order to attract the females.

Flickr Stephen Michael Barnett

Just picture thousands of cicadas in trees attempting to yell over one another, having the ultimate shouting contest.

Flickr green.thumbs

The cicadas in Florida are considered to be an annual species, as they emerge from the ground as soon as the temperature is right every year.

Flickr Dagny Gromer

The good news is, cicadas do not bite nor do they sting, so they aren’t really considered pests like other insects.

Flickr espie (on and off)

Keep your ears open for the sounds of cicadas as they start buzzing through the trees in Florida this spring and summer.

Flickr pontla

Do you have a place where you always hear cicadas in Florida? Share with us in the comments section! Or if you aren’t sure of what cicadas sound like and want to have a listen, click here.