University of Iowa Study Found Cicadas Face Extinction
Researchers concluded that periodical cicadas may never return to Iowa City due to significant forest loss.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Environmental
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A new University of Iowa study suggests that periodical cicadas face extinction risks in Iowa City. Historical records show these insects have not emerged in the city since 1900.
Why it matters
Deforestation has removed the essential tree root environments these cicadas require to survive. Because the species has low mobility, the insects are unable to migrate to new, suitable habitats.
Researchers studied soil samples for emergence holes and analyzed historical newspaper reports from the 1870s and 1880s. The team unsuccessfully attempted to relocate 20,000 cicadas to preserve the species.
The players
University of Iowa
This is a public research university that conducted the scientific analysis regarding local insect populations.
The details
The study measured changes in tree cover by comparing historical imagery against present-day landscapes in Johnson County. Researchers confirmed that the insects require specific forest cover, which has been largely lost over the last century.
Timeline
1870s-1880s: Newspaper reports documented regular cicada emergences in Iowa City.
1900: Documented cicada emergences ceased within the city limits.
- 2026-09-23
The University of Iowa published the findings of its ecological study.
Deeper Dive
This study follows the pattern set by the 1900 disappearance of periodical cicadas in Iowa City. The recent research confirms that the localized extinction trend observed over the last century remains effectively permanent.
Residents should understand that the removal of tree cover directly impacts local biodiversity and the survival of native insect species. Future land management decisions may need to prioritize forest preservation to prevent further loss of local wildlife.
The takeaway
The study serves as a stark reminder that habitat loss has permanent consequences for local species that cannot adapt or migrate. Protecting existing forest cover remains the only viable strategy for maintaining regional biodiversity.
Further reading
Learn more about local ecosystem trends in the Environmental section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Iowan.
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