Temporal Patterns of Cicada Emergence in Two Urban Parks

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 <i>Hyalessa maculaticollis</i> being the dominant species in Cheongdam Park (76.2%) and <i>Cryptotympana atrata</i> 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.