Cicadas

Pest Description

• adults: 1 – 2 inches; clear, lacy wings held tent-like over body; make a telltale clicking or buzzing noise
• immatures: live underground
• shed skins from immatures can be found on the sides of host trees

Host Plants, Diet & Damage

• many deciduous trees and shrubs
• adults suck sap from plant branches, but damage is minimal
• immatures suck sap from plant roots
• most damage occurs when large populations of egg-laying females wound trees
• excessive egg laying can score and kill small branches

Biology, Life Cycle & Damaging Life Stage

• overwinter as immatures in the soil
• require few to many years to develop
• immature development occurs underground
• pupate above ground on the sides of host plants
• leave cast pupal skin stuck to tree
• adults are active throughout summer
• females lay eggs in slits cut in branches
• mmatures drop from eggs to the soil and feed on underground roots
• adult, egg-laying females are the damaging stage

IPM Recommendations

• Damage to plants and trees is usually minimal; tolerate this insect.
• The mobility of this insect makes insecticidal control difficult.
• Cover small trees to exclude large populations of cicadas.