Cicadas are remarkable insects recognized by their distinct sounds and their deep connection to trees. These creatures spend a significant portion of their lives underground as nymphs, feeding on tree root sap. After years of subterranean development, they emerge, often in large numbers, to complete their adult life cycle above ground. Their emergence signals a brief but intense period of activity centered around specific tree types.
Preferred Host Trees
Cicadas, especially the periodical species, show a strong preference for certain trees for both feeding and laying their eggs. They primarily select broadleaf deciduous trees as their hosts. Common examples include various species of oak, such as white oak and red oak, and maple trees, including sugar maple and red maple.
Many fruit trees are also highly favored by cicadas, including apple, peach, and cherry trees. Other preferred deciduous species are elm, ash, sycamore, hickory, and willow.
While deciduous trees are the primary hosts, cicadas may occasionally utilize a wider range of woody plants if their preferred options are scarce. Young trees, particularly those recently planted or with small trunks, are especially vulnerable to damage from cicada activity.
Why Cicadas Favor Certain Trees
The preference of cicadas for specific tree types is rooted in their biological requirements for feeding and reproduction. Adult cicadas obtain nourishment by inserting their piercing-sucking mouthparts into the xylem of branches and twigs. Xylem is the vascular tissue that transports water and dissolved nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant.
Trees with abundant and easily accessible xylem sap are more attractive to feeding cicadas. For egg-laying, female cicadas seek out branches with suitable bark texture and diameter for oviposition. They use a specialized organ called an ovipositor to create slits in the bark, where they deposit their eggs.
The chosen branches must be firm enough to hold the eggs but also soft enough to allow for the creation of these slits. After hatching, the tiny nymphs drop to the ground and burrow into the soil, where they will feed on root sap. The type of tree can influence the quality of this underground food source, supporting the long developmental period of the nymphs.
Cicada Activity and Tree Health
Cicada activity on trees can result in several visible signs. One common phenomenon is “flagging,” where small branches or twigs wilt, turn brown, and die. This occurs when female cicadas create rows of slits in the bark to lay their eggs, effectively girdling the branch.
Sap may also ooze from trunks or branches where adults have fed or laid eggs. While these signs can appear alarming, mature, healthy trees typically recover from even heavy cicada infestations with minimal long-term damage.
The primary concern for significant impact is for young, newly planted, or already stressed trees. These trees may experience significant setbacks, such as stunted growth or malformation, if severely affected. In extreme cases, a severe infestation can lead to the mortality of vulnerable trees.