Experts say the insects have been out in record numbers throughout Australia's east this summer.

Sydney School of Veterinary Science Parasitology Professor David Emery said it was likely the red eye cicada that Bendigo residents were hearing.

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Professor Emery said cicada numbers were almost at plague levels this year, likely because of the heavy rains, vegetation growth and the insect's life cycle stage.

He said cicadas had a life cycle which varied in length depending on the species, but involved from two to possibly as high as seven years underground.

Professor Emery said cicada's distinctive sound was the result of the males frantically trying to attract a mate to reproduce during their short month above the ground.

He urged Bendigo residents to join in an effort to track cicadas, using the iNaturalist smartphone app.

Professor Emery said the cicada season was now reaching its end, with populations likely to be completely back underground by mid-February.

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