Best Plants to Attract Dog-Day Cicadas to Your Yard

Dog-day cicadas are fascinating insects known for their distinctive buzzing calls during the hot summer months, typically from late July through early September. These cicadas are a beloved part of the natural soundtrack in many parts of the United States, particularly in the eastern and central regions. If you’re a nature enthusiast or simply want to create a lively, buzzing backyard ecosystem, planting the right vegetation can help attract dog-day cicadas to your yard.

In this article, we’ll explore the best plants that attract dog-day cicadas and why these plants work so well for encouraging these unique insects to visit your outdoor space.

Understanding Dog-Day Cicadas

Before diving into the plants, it’s helpful to understand a bit about dog-day cicadas themselves:

• Life Cycle: Dog-day cicadas spend most of their lives underground as nymphs, sometimes for several years. They emerge as adults during the hottest days of summer (“dog days”), climb trees or tall plants, molt into their winged adult forms, and then produce their characteristic calls.

• Habitat Preferences: These cicadas are tree dwellers and prefer areas with plenty of mature trees. They rely on trees for feeding (they suck sap from twigs) and for calling sites during mating seasons.

• Plant Interaction: Cicadas do not feed on flowers or leaves but rather on the xylem fluid within branches. Therefore, plants that provide robust twigs and branches are most attractive.

Given this behavior, choosing plants that mimic natural tree environments or provide suitable feeding and calling opportunities will encourage dog-day cicadas to frequent your yard.

Key Traits of Plants That Attract Dog-Day Cicadas

When selecting plants to attract dog-day cicadas, consider the following traits:

• Woody Stems/Twigs: Cicadas need woody branches for feeding and calling.
• Deciduous Trees and Shrubs: Many dog-day cicadas prefer deciduous hardwoods.
• Native Species: Native plants support the local ecosystem better and are more likely to attract native cicada populations.
• Good Canopy Cover: Plants that provide ample shade and height enable cicadas to perch and sing.
• Year-Round Presence: Since nymphs feed underground on roots for years, plants with long lifespans help maintain stable populations.

Best Trees and Shrubs to Attract Dog-Day Cicadas

1. Oak Trees (Quercus spp.)

Oak trees are among the best trees to attract dog-day cicadas due to their sturdy branches and widespread presence in cicada habitats.

• Why Oaks? Oaks provide thick branches perfect for cicada perching. Their deep roots also serve as optimal food sources for nymphs underground.
• Popular Varieties: White oak (Quercus alba), red oak (Quercus rubra), pin oak (Quercus palustris).
• Planting Tips: Plant oaks in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. Oaks grow slowly but can live for centuries, making them an excellent long-term investment.

2. Maple Trees (Acer spp.)

Maple trees are another favorite of dog-day cicadas.

• Why Maples? They offer substantial woody growth and broad leaves that provide shade.
• Popular Varieties: Sugar maple (Acer saccharum), red maple (Acer rubrum), silver maple (Acer saccharinum).
• Planting Tips: Maples prefer moist, well-drained soil. Their vibrant foliage also adds aesthetic value to your yard.

3. Hickory Trees (Carya spp.)

Hickories have strong wood and extensive root systems ideal for sustaining cicada populations.

• Why Hickories? Their nuts support wildlife, while their branches are attractive singing sites.
• Popular Varieties: Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata), shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa).
• Planting Tips: Hickories grow best in full sun with fertile soils.

4. Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)

Sweetgum trees are fast-growing and produce dense foliage and sturdy branches favored by cicadas.

• Why Sweetgum? The spiky seed pods add interest while providing excellent habitat structure.
• Planting Tips: They thrive in moist, acidic soil with full sun exposure.

5. Dogwood (Cornus florida)

Dogwoods are smaller trees but still attract dog-day cicadas due to their woody twigs and presence in native woodlands.

• Why Dogwoods? Their flowering brings other pollinators too, enriching your yard’s biodiversity.
• Planting Tips: Prefer partial shade and well-drained soil; avoid overly wet conditions.

6. Sumac (Rhus spp.)

Sumacs are shrubby or small tree-like plants often found at edges of woods — perfect transitional habitat for cicadas.

• Why Sumac? Their tough branches provide good perching points; sumacs also thrive in poor soils.
• Planting Tips: Can tolerate dry conditions and prefer sunny locations.

Additional Plants Supporting Cicada Habitat

While large trees are critical, some smaller plants contribute indirectly by creating an inviting environment:

Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)

Sassafras is a native understory tree or shrub with aromatic leaves that supports local insect life cycles. Its woody stems can sometimes host cicadas.

Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)

This fast-growing tree has thorny branches that some species of cicada find appealing as calling platforms.

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

Elderberry shrubs add dense cover where emerging nymphs can crawl out safely before climbing larger trees.

Creating a Cicada-Friendly Yard Ecosystem

Beyond planting specific species, here are some general tips to enhance your yard’s appeal to dog-day cicadas:

Provide Multiple Tree Layers

Create a multi-tiered canopy by mixing tall trees with mid-sized shrubs. This diversity offers plenty of perching spots at different heights.

Avoid Excessive Pesticides

Pesticides harm both adult cicadas and subterranean nymphs. Use organic gardening practices when possible.

Leave Dead Wood

Some dead twigs or branches may be used by emerging nymphs or provide shelter for other beneficial insects that interact with cicadas.

Maintain Soil Health

Healthy soil supports root systems where nymphs live underground feeding for years before emerging as adults.

What to Expect When Attracting Cicadas

If you successfully attract dog-day cicadas to your yard:

• You will likely hear loud buzzing calls on hot summer days.
• You may see molted exoskeletons clinging to tree trunks.
• Be prepared for short-term branch damage since females lay eggs by slitting twigs (usually not harmful in healthy mature trees).
• Enjoy watching this unique insect complete its fascinating life cycle right outside your door!

Conclusion

Dog-day cicadas bring a special ambiance to any yard during summer’s peak heat, connecting us with natural rhythms long overlooked in suburban life. The best way to invite these captivating insects is by planting native deciduous trees such as oaks, maples, hickories, sweetgums, dogwoods, and sumacs—plants that provide strong branches for calling sites and healthy root systems for subterranean feeding.

By cultivating a rich, diverse planting palette focused on native woody species alongside sustainable gardening practices, you’ll transform your yard into a lively habitat that celebrates one of summer’s most iconic creatures—the dog-day cicada.

Embrace the buzz!