Periodical Cicadas Emerging in 2021

Certain Cicadas emerge every year but there are periodical Cicadas that emerge in cycles of 13 or 17 years and they are coming this year. As of right now, there are trillion Cicadas about a foot or more below ground level. Females deposit eggs in small tree branches by cutting slivers into twigs and small branches. After the nymph hatch, they burrow into the soil and start feeding on small roots. Cicadas have mouth-piercing parts and adults and nymphs pierce the trees’ xylem and feed on xylem fluid. The damage to trees by feeding is minimal however trees get wounded by females depositing and slicing branches to insert eggs. Twigs may actually die back and break or drop. These wounds are also an entry point for pathogens. There are plenty of predators benefiting from Cicadas’ population – birds, snakes, skunks, squirrels, mice, spiders, and even your household cat or dog might get a snack. The best way to protect our trees is to cover small trees with a net/mesh – it’s more effective than insecticides and less expensive. Studies show that injuries done by females have minimal negative effects on mature trees. It is therefore recommended to delay planting this spring to avoid damages done by Cicadas to small trees.

Even with this periodical emergence approaching – trees should be fine. We on the other hand should stock up on ear plugs! (Cicada noise can exceed 100 decibels = chainsaw )