This study investigates the relationship between cicada emergence patterns and climatic variables (temperature and humidity) in two urban parks in Seoul, Asian Park and Cheongdam Park. Weekly collections of cicada exuviae were conducted during the summers (June to August) from 2015 to 2017 to analyze emergence rates and their associations with climatic factors. A total of six cicada species were identified, with Hyalessa maculaticollis being the dominant species in Cheongdam Park (76.2%) and Cryptotympana atrata in Asian Park (54.3%). Emergence rates increased from mid-July, peaked in early August, and exhibited an overall upward trend during the study period. The observed differences between the parks appear to stem from variations in microclimatic conditions. Asian Park, characterized by open and flat urban landscapes, consistently recorded higher average temperatures over the three years. In contrast, Cheongdam Park, with its cooler oak-dominated, semi-forested environments, maintained more consistent microclimatic conditions within the urban setting. This study highlights the role of cicada emergence patterns in reflecting urban microclimatic conditions and provides baseline data for understanding the ecological impacts of urbanization and climatic variability.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Rainfall Timing as a Key Driver of Cicada Peak Emergence in Urban Habitats Jae-Yeon Kang, Yong-Su Kwon, Heejo Lee, Yikweon Jang Insects.2026; 17(2): 226. CrossRef
In this study, we investigated the occurrence patterns and densities of cicadas in 18 urban parks in Seoul, Korea. Considering the ecological characteristics of cicadas that occured only in summer, the temporal changes of cicadas were investigated every week from June to September in 2017. Cicadas densities were measured using the final instar exuviae of cicada, which showed distinct morphological differences between species. A total of 7,369 cicada exuviae of six species were collected, and the dominant species in urban park were Hyalessa fuscata (44.8%) and Cryptotympana atrata (41.7%). There was no clear difference in the pattern of occurrence by species, but it occurred most frequently around August when the rainy season ended.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Rainfall Timing as a Key Driver of Cicada Peak Emergence in Urban Habitats Jae-Yeon Kang, Yong-Su Kwon, Heejo Lee, Yikweon Jang Insects.2026; 17(2): 226. CrossRef