Prepared by: Eric Day, Extension Entomologist; Doug Pfeiffer, Extension Entomologist and Ed Lewis, Extension Entomologist; Virginia Tech
Publication Number 444-276, Posted May 2002
Homoptera: Cicadidae
Magicicada sp.
Other Common names Periodical cicadas are also commonly called the 17-year cicada, 13-year cicada, or locusts. The name "locust" is misleading because it applies to migratory grasshoppers.
The immature cicadas, called nymphs, do not feed on the twig where they hatch but drop to the ground and burrow to the root system below the tree. Once attached they stay on the root for 13 or 17 years until the next emergence.
Cicadas are not poisonous and do not have a stinger. Communities and farms with large numbers of cicadas emerging from the ground often are beset with a substantial noise problem. Half of the population are males "singing" or calling for the females. The annoyance from the singing is tempered by the fact that the periodical cicadas are only out for 4-6 weeks once every 17 years, but they can occur more frequently where broods overlap.
Non-woody plants sometimes will have cicadas resting on the foliage but rarely receive damage.
Immature periodical cicadas (nymphs) develop underground and feed on sap from plant roots. After 13 or 17 years below ground, mature nymphs construct a mud turret called a cicada hut and emerge from the soil and climb onto nearby vegetation or any vertical surface. They then molt to the winged adult stage. Their shed outer skins or "exoskeletons" are frequently found attached to tree trunks and twigs. The emergence is often tightly synchronized, with most adults appearing within a few nights. Adult cicadas live for only two to four weeks. During this short time, they feed relatively little and do not cause any severe damage as they feed. Male cicadas sing by vibrating membranes on the sides of the first abdominal segment. Male courtship songs attract females for mating. Females are silent. After mating, females lay their small eggs in twigs 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter. The female's ovipositor slices into the wood and deposits the eggs. One to several dozen eggs can be laid in one branch, with up to 400 eggs being laid by each female in 40 to 50 sites.
Cicada eggs remain in the twigs for six to ten weeks before hatching. The nymphs do not feed on the twigs. The newly hatched, ant-like nymphs fall to the ground where they burrow 6 to 18 inches underground to feed.
Consult a Cicada map available from a county Extension office and avoid planting new fruit and ornamental trees in the same year as a predicted cicada emergence. The cicada map in the current Spray Bulletin for Commercial Tree Fruit Growers (VCE Publicati 19) or this table that is provided on the next page, the necessary information.
Newly planted trees can be covered with fine netting to keep the cicadas from reaching the small tender twigs. Secure the netting around the trunk to stop them from climbing up into the tree. Remove the netting at the end of June.
Remove flagging damage and destroy the clippings to reduce the number of nymphs that will establish on the roots of that tree.
Spraying will give limited control in commercial nurseries, as new cicadas will fly in to replace the individuals killed by the spray. Scout trees every 2-3 days to check for egglaying activity and treat as soon as it starts. Consult the current Virginia Pest Management Guide or the Spray Bulletin for Commercial Tree Fruit Growers for current chemical recommended for control.
Insecticides in backyard plantings will give limited control ,but often the sprays will cause worse problems. Blooming trees and plants should not be treated as this may kill pollinating insects. Caution should be used, as populations of spider mites will often increase after application of Sevin.
2002 17 Year Cicada emergence map | 2012 17 Year Cicada emergence Map |
2003 17 Year Cicada emergence map | 2012 13 Year Cicada emergence Map |
2004 17 Year Cicada emergence map | 2013 17 Year Cicada emergence Map |
2007 17 Year Cicada emergence map | 2015 17 Year Cicada emergence map |
2008 17 Year Cicada emergence map | 2016 17 Year Cicada emergence map |
2011 17 Year Cicada emergence map | 2017 17 Year Cicada emergence Map |
2011 13 Year Cicada emergence map |
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