Issue 4, June 1, 2020

Periodical Cicadas Emerge in Illinois

Left: Periodical cicada adult (Magicicada septendecim), Jon Yuschock, Bugwood.org

A periodical cicada (Magicicada spp.) emergence can be an exciting event to witness!  Periodical cicadas are already beginning to emerge throughout Illinois and will continue to emerge until late-June.  This year two large broods are emerging four years early and will encompass much of the state so many people may be able to this special event in their own yards.  Brood XIII includes three species of 17-year cicadas emerging in northern Illinois and parts of central Illinois and Brood XIX includes four species if 13-year cicadas emerging in southern Illinois and parts of central Illinois, so keep an eye out for an abundance of cicadas.

Cicada nymphs live below ground for most of their lives, sucking fluids from tree roots and go unnoticed until they emerge.  When the emergence begins, cicada nymphs leave the soil, climb a few feet up a tree or shrub and molt to their adult stage, leaving their shed skin behind.  Adult cicadas usually remain near their molting site to allow their bodies time to harden, before moving farther up the tree.  As adults, periodical cicadas feed very little, devoting their time to reproduction.  Adult males will call to females with a shrill buzzing song. In areas with low populations of cicadas, the calls can be a nice summer chorus, but in areas with heavy populations, some may find the calling quite loud.

Injury to trees and shrubs

After mating, female cicadas use their ovipositor, an egg-laying structure, to cut small openings and deposit eggs into twigs and branches.  They may repeat this several times on a given twig, resulting in scars several inches long.  Leaves growing beyond the scarring site often die and twigs may break easily.  Female cicadas prefer to deposit eggs in twigs and branches that are 1/4 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter but they may also deposit eggs in the trunks of small transplanted fruit or ornamental trees, so it is important to identify and protect trees that may be at risk for injury.

Left: Periodical cicada (Magicicada sp.) damage, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Forestry , Bugwood.org
Right: Periodical cicada (Magicicada sp.) damage prevention, James B. Hanson, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Protecting trees and shrubs

In areas with heavy periodical cicada populations or areas with young or cherished fruit and ornamental trees action can be taken to prevent injury.  The best way to protect small trees from damage in areas with heavy cicada populations is to surround the trunks with screening to prevent egg-laying.  Waiting to plant small trees or choosing larger trees, at least 2-1/2 inches in diameter can help avoid egg-laying.  For small fruit trees, some may choose to cover the trees in mesh no larger than 1/4 inch while the cicadas are active to avoid egg-laying.  Orchardists, may choose to prune in the 4-6 weeks after egg-laying to remove eggs and reduce the number of cicadas in the next emergence.

Applications of insecticides may kill many emerging adult cicadas but research has found that the applications did not reduce the amount of egg-laying or injury to the plants.  It is also important to remember that your local wildlife, including birds, mammals and reptiles, will be feasting on cicadas throughout the emergence.  Choosing cultural controls and avoiding chemical treatments can prevent wildlife from consuming pesticides along with their meal.

Most areas do not see heavy populations of periodical cicadas and do not require significant action to protect trees.  Periodical cicadas require 13-17 years continuously feeding on the same tree to complete a single generation, so areas where trees were removed or areas that were previously farmland or prairie, may see very few if any periodical cicadas.

Which counties will see periodical cicadas?

Brood XIII:

Northern and central Illinois counties that may see 17-year periodical cicadas include Bureau, Carroll, Cass, Cook, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Henry, Jo Daviess, Kankakee, Lake, LaSalle, Livingston, Logan, Marshall, Mason, McHenry, McLean, Menard, Peoria, Putnam, Sangamon, Stark, Tazewell, Whiteside, Will, Winnebago, Woodford.

Brood XIX:

Southern and central Illinois counties that may see 13-year periodical cicadas include Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Champaign, Clark, Clay, Coles, Cumberland, De Witt, Effingham, Fayette, Ford, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hancock, Iroquois, Jefferson, Johnson, Marion, Massac, Moultrie, Pike, Pope, Saline, Shelby, Vermillion, Washington, Williamson.

County lists compiled by CicadaMania.com

Author:
Sarah Hughson

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