Can Cicadas Bite?
Cicadas are generally harmless to humans and are not considered biting insects. They do have mouthparts called piercing-sucking mandibles that they use to feed on plant sap, but these mouthparts are not designed to pierce human skin. On very rare occasions, a cicada might try to probe the skin if it lands on you, but it typically cannot penetrate the skin deeply enough to cause a true bite.
If a cicada does make contact with your skin, you might feel a slight pinch or mild scratch, but it’s not venomous, infectious, or harmful. Unlike mosquitoes or horseflies, cicadas do not feed on blood, so there’s no risk of disease transmission through a bite.
Cicadas don’t bite people in any meaningful way, and even accidental nips are harmless.
Do Cicadas Bite?
Cicadas rarely bite people at all, but there are a few very specific situations where contact with human skin might result in a minor pinch:
Handling or grabbing cicadas – If someone tries to pick up or move a cicada, the insect may instinctively press its mouthparts against the skin. This is more a reflexive “pinch” than a true bite.
Being trapped against skin – If a cicada gets caught between clothing and skin, it may press its mouthparts or legs against the body as it tries to escape, giving the sensation of a small pinch.
Young or recently molted cicadas – Newly emerged cicadas (teneral adults) are softer and may move awkwardly. If handled, they could momentarily contact the skin with their mouthparts.
Unusual stress or threat – A cicada under extreme stress might make repeated contact with whatever is nearby (including a human), but it still cannot pierce skin to feed.
Even in all of these situations, cicada “bites” are harmless, non-venomous, and do not transmit disease. Most people experience nothing more than a brief startle or minor pinch.
Cicada Bites
True cicada bites are extremely rare, and in most cases, cicadas don’t pierce human skin at all. However, if a cicada does manage to make minor contact with skin—usually by pressing its mouthparts or legs—you might see the following:
Small, superficial red mark – Usually just a tiny dot or pinch mark, similar to a mild scratch.
Slight swelling or raised bump – This may occur if the skin is sensitive, but it’s generally minor and short-lived.
No puncture wound – Unlike mosquito or horsefly bites, there’s no actual penetration of the skin.
Minimal irritation or itching – Some people may feel a tiny stinging sensation for a few seconds, but it doesn’t persist.
If you notice a bite-like mark after contact with a cicada, it’s almost certainly just a superficial scratch or irritation from the legs or claws rather than a true bite.