Do cicadas come out of the ground only on rainy days?

Question

Cicadas come out of the ground to reproduce and then die.

Answer 1

They do come out on non rainy days.The best-known of these fascinating insects is the 17-Year Cicada (Magicicada), which lives only in the United States. After 17 years of dormancy underground, this species emerges for 5 weeks of activity in the sunlight, and then dies. With the exception of the termite queen, this cicada is probably the longest living insect. The 17-year Cicada is often incorrectly called the 17-year Locust. True locusts are grasshoppers.

Answer 2

In my part of the country they won't come out at all for another 15 years - we last had them in 2004, so in 2021, they'll come out by the billions and won't give a crap what the weather is. I know there are different species and groups of cicadas so they might behave differently in your corner of the world, but here in SW Ohio I'm glad we've got 15 cicada-free years ahead.

Answer 3

Their emergence is timed on a cycle. They typically respond to day length, and average temperature. Rain helps them emerge, by softening the soil, they dont only emerge on rainy days, but if that is when the decided to emerge, then so be it.

Answer 4

Nope! Just listen at nite to those lonely thoughts you may have and whoa and behold--you will probably hear thousands of those little buggers!

Answer 5

Once every seven years, rain or shine.