Every decade there is a big cicada party in your garden! These amazing insects, which are native to North America, only occur every 13 or 17 years. They are referred to as “periodic zikadas” because the majority of the population in one year, without having not been a population in the years–some deductions may have a schedule and appear somewhat late or somewhat late. Every annual class called brood is referred to by a Roman number.
With their black bodies, wings with light orange veins and red eyes, regular cicadas look quite striking. “It is an incredible biological phenomenon that is not repeated anywhere else in the world,” says Eric Day, an extension tomologist and manager of the Insect Identification Clinic at Virginia Tech. “We have other types of cicadas that we see every year, but the mass era of periodic cicadas is a curiosity of nature that can only be found in the east of North America.”
These insects spend five youth stages underground (for 13 or 17 years), then tunnels to the surface and look for a partner. As soon as the females have combined, they lay their eggs in branches, says the day. The eggs hatch in six to ten weeks, the new nymphs fall on earth, dig underground and start waiting for their origin in another 13 or 17 years.
And because they are probably asking themselves: they are not poisonous and they don't stand, says the day. (However, you shouldn't let your pet snack on you because the crispy exoskeleton is suffocated.)
The rare appearance of periodic cicadas is a seat in the front row to one of the most amazing natural miracles in the world. However, if you are concerned that you are devastating in your garden via these customs long insects, read the tips on the protection of plants in need of protection:
When will I see periodic cicadas?
Depending on where they live, they see many of them – or none at all. They will appear when the soil temperatures reach about 64 ° F in depth from 7 to 8 inches, which can be at any time from April to June. Once appeared, the adults live for about 4 weeks.
In 2025 the brood XIV of the 17-year-old cicadas was being built. You will most likely see in West Virginiana, Kentucky and TN. Southwest Virginia, Western North Carolina; and North Georgia. (Take a look at the card here).
Will periodic cicadas eat my garden plants?
The good news is that these insects are not interested in their garden plants, including one -year -old, perennials and food. While you may see them sitting on these plants, they have probably come out of the ground and are waiting for their exoskeletons to harden before looking for love, and then move in the trees to lay eggs, says the day.
However, The exception is young seedlings or fruit trees. “You can harm these plants seriously because the female zikade puts eggs in slots of the bark on branches,” says Day. “If tiny limbs are damaged, this can later lead to a distortion of the tree and structural problems. It can take a few years for the tree to celebrate a comeback.”
The damage takes place within a week for branches, which are called “can be”. While older, mature trees can withstand him, younger trees may not survive the damage, says Day.
How do I protect my young trees from cicadas?
If you have one Newly transplanted tree or Schössling, who is 3 years old or disciple or a small fruit tree. You should consider offering protectionsays day. Here is what to do:
- Plan to cover small trees. You must keep the protection for the entire 4- to 6 -week creation period, which is around the end of April to June, on the spot, depending on where you live.
- Use fine tree or garden network with holes that are not larger than ¼ inch. Zicades will be able to survive larger holes.
- Drape the balance of the tree with the network and then tie it under the lowest branches. It is not necessary to cover the trunk.
- It is neither necessary nor recommended to use pesticides.
- If possible, delay the planting of young trees by autumn. Until then, the Zikaden party is over until the next mass development occurs.