Introduction
Cicadas are often a source of curiosity and concern for gardeners. Many wonder, “Do cicadas eat garden plants?” Understanding cicadas’ feeding habits and their potential effects on gardens is crucial for any gardener aiming to protect their plants. This article explores whether cicadas eat gardens, the nature of their feeding, and practical strategies to minimize any damage they may cause.
Do Cicadas Eat Garden Plants?
Cicadas primarily feed on plant sap, but their diet and behavior differ significantly from typical garden pests.
What Do Cicadas Eat?
- Sap Feeding: Cicadas use their specialized mouthparts to pierce tree branches and drink sap.
- Preference for Woody Plants: They mainly target woody shrubs and trees rather than soft garden vegetables or flowers.
Unlike insects that consume leaves or roots, cicadas do not directly eat garden plants in the traditional sense. Their feeding is limited to extracting sap through stems, which generally does not kill the plant.
How Do Cicadas Affect Gardens?
While cicadas don’t eat garden plants, their behavior can still impact garden health.
Egg-Laying Damage
- Female cicadas cut slits in small branches to lay eggs.
- This process, called “flagging,” causes branches to wilt and die back.
- Young trees and shrubs are more vulnerable to damage.
Noise and Presence
- Male cicadas produce loud calls, which can be startling but harmless.
- Large emergences can overwhelm garden areas, causing temporary disturbance.
Overall Impact
- Mature trees usually tolerate cicada feeding and egg-laying without long-term harm.
- Gardens with delicate or young plants may see more noticeable damage.
Identifying Cicada Damage in Your Garden
Recognizing cicada-related damage helps in taking timely action.
- Flagging: Look for wilted or dead branch tips caused by egg-laying.
- Sap Spots: Small wounds on branches where cicadas feed.
- Increased Cicada Activity: Sudden loud noises and visible cicada swarms.
Protecting Your Garden from Cicadas
While you cannot completely prevent cicadas during mass emergences, these measures help reduce damage:
- Physical Barriers: Use fine mesh netting around young trees and shrubs during peak cicada activity.
- Pruning: Remove and dispose of damaged branches to prevent further stress.
- Watering and Fertilizing: Maintain healthy plants to better withstand cicada stress.
- Timing Planting: Avoid planting young trees right before expected cicada emergence years.
Expert Insights and Research
Entomologists note that cicadas are part of a natural cycle and rarely cause lasting harm to established gardens. Studies show that healthy mature plants usually recover quickly after cicada seasons. Gardeners should focus on resilience and monitoring rather than eradication.
Conclusion
Cicadas do not eat garden plants in the traditional sense; they feed on sap and lay eggs that may cause some branch damage, especially in young or delicate plants. Understanding their behavior allows gardeners to implement effective protective measures. By using physical barriers, maintaining plant health, and pruning damaged branches, gardeners can minimize cicada impact and enjoy a thriving garden even during cicada emergence years. Remember, cicadas are a natural part of the ecosystem and rarely pose a serious threat to mature gardens.