Cicadas in South Carolina

Both 13-year and 17-year periodical cicadas, as well as annual cicadas, occur in South Carolina. Their mating calls can be heard through summer. They are active for just 4-6 weeks in the hot and humid season. They mate and lay eggs in this short lifespan as adults. Their lifecycles are always in prime numbers, and their characteristic buzzing can reach 90 decibels, as loud as a motorcycle or lawnmower.

Cicadas in South Carolina (SC)

Types of Cicadas in South Carolina

  • Southern Grass Cicada
  • Olympic Scrub Cicada
  • Dog-day Cicada
  • Salt Marsh Cicada
  • Swamp Cicada
  • Linnaeus’s 17-Year Cicada
  • 13-Year Cassini
  • 13-Year Decim
  • 13-Year Decula
  • Northern Dusk Singing Cicada
  • Fall Southeastern Dusk-singing Cicada
  • Resh Cicada
  • Great Pine Barrens Cicada
  • Hieroglyphic Cicada
  • Davis’ Southeastern Dog-Day Cicada
  • Linne’s Cicada
  • Dark Lyric Cicada
  • Lyric Cicada
  • Coastal Lyric Cicada
  • Scissor(s) Grinder
  • Similar Dog-Day Cicada
  • Southern Swamp Cicada
  • Eastern Scissor(s) Grinder