The terms “locusts” and “cicadas” are often used interchangeably, leading to widespread confusion. While they might seem similar, these insects belong to entirely different scientific orders and possess distinct characteristics. This article clarifies the differences between locusts and cicadas.
Understanding Locusts
Locusts are short-horned grasshoppers, belonging to the order Orthoptera. Locusts transform from a solitary to a swarming phase under specific environmental conditions, such as drought followed by rapid vegetation growth. This shift includes physical changes and is triggered by increased population density.
Locusts are herbivorous, eating grasses and crops. Their swarms can be immense, consisting of millions, devastating agriculture by rapidly stripping fields. They produce sounds through stridulation, by rubbing body parts, creating buzzing noises. A locust’s life cycle involves three stages: egg, nymph, and adult, often completed within a year.
Understanding Cicadas
Cicadas are insects in the order Hemiptera. They have a distinct life cycle, including a prolonged nymphal stage underground, feeding on tree sap. Many species emerge annually, but periodical cicadas remain underground for 13 or 17 years before emerging en masse.
Cicadas have sturdy bodies, wide-set eyes, and transparent wings. They are known for loud sound production, achieved through specialized organs called tymbals on their abdomen. Tymbals vibrate rapidly, producing buzzing sounds used by males to attract mates. Unlike locusts, cicadas feed on tree sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts and generally cause less harm to mature trees, though egg-laying can damage young branches.
Distinguishing the Two
Locusts are Orthoptera, while cicadas are Hemiptera. Their appearance also differs. Locusts typically have slender bodies, long hind legs for jumping, and wings that may be shorter than their bodies. Cicadas possess more robust bodies, wide-set eyes, and wings that extend noticeably past their abdomen.
Sound production also differs. Locusts create sounds through stridulation. In contrast, male cicadas produce loud calls using tymbals on their abdomen. Diets and impact on vegetation also vary. Locusts, with chewing mouthparts, are voracious feeders that devastate agricultural crops during swarms. Cicadas use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on tree sap and generally do not pose a widespread threat to vegetation, with most damage occurring during egg-laying in small branches.
Behaviorally, locusts are known for swarming behavior, transforming from solitary individuals into destructive groups in response to environmental cues. While cicadas can emerge in large numbers, especially periodical species, they do not exhibit the coordinated, migratory swarming behavior of locusts. Cicadas spend most of their lives as nymphs underground, emerging as adults for a short period to mate and lay eggs. Locusts’ entire life cycle typically occurs above ground, except for the egg stage.