A Lemuriana apicalis cicada is seen at night on a wall in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on June 20, 2026. India has approximately 200 to 250 cicada species, mostly found in forests from the Himalayas to the Western Ghats. Known for their loud summer mating calls, most are annual insects. India ranks high in global cicada diversity, with ongoing research continually identifying regional species. Cicadas are vital to India's ecosystems as indicators of forest health, microhabitat recovery, and seasonal transitions. Nymphs spend years underground feeding on tree sap and aerating the soil. When they emerge and eventually die, their bodies release nitrogen back into the forest floor, acting as a natural fertilizer. Egg-laying slits made in tree branches naturally prune the trees, promoting stronger regrowth and larger fruits. Cicadas are celebrated in rural communities across North and Central India as the iconic "soundtrack" of the pre-monsoon season. Adult cicadas are strongly drawn to artificial lights; they get confused by nighttime illumination and often congregate on the walls or windows of illuminated buildings.
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