Cicadas are large, noisy insects with stout bodies, prominent eyes, and transparent wings. While annual cicadas appear yearly, their underground nymph stage can last for several years. Periodical cicadas emerge in synchronized, massive numbers every 13 or 17 years, spending most of their lives developing underground.
Why Cicadas Become Prey
Cicadas become a food source for various animals primarily due to their sheer abundance during emergence periods. Periodical cicadas can appear in densities exceeding 1.5 million individuals per acre, creating a temporary surplus of biomass. This phenomenon, known as predator satiation, ensures the species’ survival by overwhelming predators with more food than they can consume.
Their physical characteristics also contribute to their vulnerability. Adult cicadas are typically 1 to 2 inches long, making them a substantial meal. They are slow-moving and lack effective defenses, presenting an easy target once above ground.
Beyond their accessibility, cicadas offer nutritional benefits. They are high in protein, providing 21.4 to 47 grams per 100 grams, which can be more than pork or eggs. They also contain low fat content, essential amino acids, and healthy fats, making them a valuable meal for predators.
Birds and Mammals as Predators
Birds are a primary group of cicada predators, with many species readily altering their diets to take advantage of the abundant food source. Robins, jays, crows, woodpeckers, and raptors like hawks and kestrels consume cicadas. Songbirds such as Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, Tufted Titmice, and sparrows also consume them, with increased food availability potentially leading to higher breeding success and more offspring.
Mammals also prey on cicadas, exhibiting opportunistic feeding behaviors. Raccoons, opossums, squirrels, foxes, and skunks are common mammalian predators. Bats actively hunt cicadas, often targeting noisy male “singing parties” due to their reliance on sound for prey detection. Burrowing mammals like moles and brown bears consume cicada nymphs underground.
Other Creatures That Feast on Cicadas
Reptiles and amphibians also prey on cicadas during emergences, acting as opportunistic predators. Lizards and various snake species, including garter and rat snakes, readily consume them. Frogs and toads, with their sticky tongues and quick reflexes, snatch cicadas, even in mid-air. These cold-blooded animals gain a valuable protein source from the temporary glut of insects.
Insects and arachnids also prey on cicadas. The cicada killer wasp (Sphecius speciosus) is a specialized predator; female wasps paralyze cicadas with a sting and drag them to underground burrows for their larvae. Praying mantises use their powerful forelegs to capture and consume cicadas. Various spider species, including black widows, funnel web spiders, and jumping spiders, prey on cicadas, often catching them in webs or actively hunting.
Newly hatched cicada nymphs underground may be eaten by ants. If cicadas fall into water, fish readily consume them. Oak leaf itch mites also use cicada eggs as a food source.