Dog Day Cicada
What is dog day cicada?
Key facts
The dog day cicada (*Neotibicen canicularis*) is an annual cicada in North America, named for its July–August emergence during the hot “dog days” of summer [2].
Context
The dog day cicada is a species of annual cicada in North America, especially *Neotibicen canicularis* [2]. It is called “dog-day” because adults appear during the hot “dog days” of summer, and sources also describe it as a “harvestfly” or “heatbug” [2]. Unlike periodical cicadas, which emerge every 13 or 17 years, dog day cicadas emerge every year [4]. Adult males call to attract mates [1]. The species is found in the northeastern United States, the upper Midwest, and Canada [3].
Documented claims
Questions and answers
Why is it called a dog day cicada?
It is named for its emergence in July and August, during the hot “dog days” of summer [2].
Are dog day cicadas rare?
No, they are common annual cicadas that emerge every year in their range [4].
What do dog day cicadas do?
Adult males call to attract mates, and adults are active during the summer months [1].
What is the difference between a dog day cicada and a periodical cicada?
Dog day cicadas emerge annually, while periodical cicadas emerge every 13 or 17 years [4].
Sources
- Dog Day Cicadas - Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service — uaex.uada.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- Dog day cicadas | Arthropod Museum - University of Arkansas — arthropod.uark.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- Dog-Day Cicada - Field Guide to Common Texas Insects — texasinsects.tamu.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- Annual or Dogday Cicadas | NC State Extension Publications — content.ces.ncsu.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)