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Step 1
Look for wings that are held roof-like over the insect's abdomen. The wings typically do not overlap each other. Some species have clear and glossy while other species have dull, opaque wings. When the insect isn't using its wings, they are folded back along the body.
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Step 2
Recognize that cicadas have three pairs of legs that are all about the same length. The thigh joints of the forelegs are thicker than the others.
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Step 3
Watch for compound eyes with one on each side of the head. There are also three simple eyes on the top of a cicada's head.
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Step 4
Compare the insect you have to pictures of a cicada. There are many different types of cicadas so be sure to check the different types, particularly those that are native to the area you are in.
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Step 5
Listen for the cicada's songs. These insects are famous for their singing, which is actually a mating call made by the male. Each species has its own distinctive song.
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Step 6
Understand the lifecycle and habitat of the cicada. This can alert you to the possibility that an insect is a cicada or whether it is unlikely that a cicada would be present. Cicadas feed by piercing the surface of a plant and then sucking the sap out. They are often wary of intrusion and will fly away when disturbed.
