Do Cicadas Bite? Uncovering the Truth about These Noisy Insects

Cicadas are insects known for their noisy mating calls, typically heard during warm summer months. These fascinating creatures emerge en masse after spending a significant portion of their lives underground as nymphs. With several types of cicadas found across the globe, you may be curious if they pose any danger to humans or animals.

Fear not, for cicadas are generally harmless creatures that do not bite or sting. Despite their sometimes-intimidating appearance, these insects are not venomous or poisonous. In fact, they serve as a food source for many organisms, including birds and mammals. While it is possible for pets to experience an upset stomach if they consume a large number of cicadas, ingesting a small quantity typically poses no risk.

Although cicadas are not harmful to humans and pets, they can cause potential damage to young trees during their breeding season. However, this type of damage can usually be mitigated by taking simple precautions, such as using tree netting or delaying tree transplanting. Overall, cicadas are more of a fascinating natural phenomenon than a legitimate concern for people, their pets, or the environment.

Do Cicadas Bite

Males vs Females

Cicadas, both male and female, are known to be harmless creatures. They do not possess any mechanism for biting or stinging humans or animals. Males and females can be differentiated by:

• Males have louder, more noticeable calls, used to attract females
• Females have a blade-like organ called an ovipositor, used for laying eggs

Bite or Stinger

Cicadas neither bite nor sting. To clarify further, let’s compare cicadas with bees and wasps, which do have stingers:

Key points about cicadas:

• Do not bite or sting
• Harmless to humans and animals
• No known toxic chemicals
• Males make loud calls
• Females use ovipositor for egg-laying

Despite their loud noise, cicadas are not dangerous and should not be feared. They provide a valuable source of food for various wildlife in their natural habitats.

Cicada Behavior and Life Cycle

Periodical vs Annual Cicadas

There are two types of cicadas: periodical cicadas and annual cicadas. Periodical cicadas, like Brood X, emerge every 13 to 17 years, whereas annual cicadas emerge every year.

Underground Nymphs

Cicada nymphs live underground, feeding on tree roots for 2 to 5 years. The duration of their underground life depends on factors like food availability and environmental conditions.

• Underground life duration: 2-5 years
• Factors affecting duration: food availability, environmental conditions

Mating and Noise

When it’s time to mate, male cicadas attract females with loud, shrill buzzing noises. These noises can reach high decibel levels, making cicadas one of the loudest insects.

• Mating: loud, shrill buzzing noises
• Decibel level: very high

In conclusion, cicadas are fascinating insects with a unique life cycle and mating behaviors. While they can be quite loud, they do not pose any danger in terms of biting or stinging humans or pets.

Impact on Plants and Humans

Feeding on Plant Sap

Cicadas feed on plant sap using their straw-like mouthparts, mainly targeting tree roots and stems. They cause minimal damage to plants, as their feeding process doesn’t harm mature trees significantly. Young saplings, however, might suffer from cicada feeding. A possible solution is to lay a ¼ inch netting over them for protection.

Example of plants affected by cicadas:

• Young saplings
• Small shrubs

Comparison Table: Mature Trees vs. Young Saplings

Potential Risks to Pets

Cicadas pose no direct danger to pets like dogs and cats. They neither bite nor sting and are not poisonous or venomous. Pets might eat cicadas out of curiosity, which could temporarily cause an upset stomach or vomiting. Generally, there’s no need to worry if a pet consumes a few cicadas.

Key cicada features:

• Don’t bite or sting
• Not poisonous or venomous
• Harmless to humans
• Can cause temporary discomfort if ingested by pets

Geographical Distribution

Brood X US Regions

Periodical cicadas are known for their mass emergence in different regions across eastern North America. One of the largest and most notable broods is Brood X, which covers a wide area across several states. Some of the states and regions impacted by Brood X include:

• Michigan
• Georgia
• New York
• Ohio
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Maryland
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• Pennsylvania
• District of Columbia
• Delaware
• Kentucky
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• West Virginia

State Specific Information

In each state, cicadas might be encountered in various densities and environments. For example:

• In Michigan, cicadas emerge primarily in the southern part of the state.
• In Georgia, the emergence is concentrated in the northern region.

Below is a comparison table of a few states with their cicada emergence regions.

Cicadas are generally harmless, as they do not bite or sting. However, their loud noise can be considered a mild nuisance. It is important to remember that these insects play a vital role in their ecosystems, providing nourishment for various predators.

Prevention and Solutions

Physical Barriers

Physical barriers can be an effective way to protect plants and trees from cicadas. For example, placing a ¼ inch netting over young shrubs during cicada season (early May to September) can help prevent female cicadas from laying eggs on them.

Pros:

• Environmentally friendly
• No chemicals involved
• Reusable

Cons:

• Can be labor-intensive to install
• May not be visually appealing

Pesticides

It’s important to note that cicadas are not generally considered dangerous and do not bite or sting. However, if you still want to use pesticides as a control method:

• Choose pesticides labeled for use on cicadas
• Follow the product’s instructions carefully
• Apply pesticides only when needed, as excessive use can harm beneficial insects and the environment

Pros:

• Can be effective in controlling cicada populations
• May provide quick results

Cons:

• Can harm non-target organisms
• May contaminate water sources

Environmentally Friendly Approaches

If you prefer a more eco-conscious approach, there are several options to consider:

• Encourage birds and other natural predators by providing suitable habitat and food (e.g., bird feeders)
• Remove leaves, twigs, and branches where cicadas have laid eggs to interrupt their life cycle
• Enable a healthy ecosystem to help naturally keep cicada populations in check
• Remember that occasional cicada eating by pets is not a cause for worry, and cicadas can even be part of the diet for some animals

Comparison Table:

Bug Control Recommendation Tool

What type of pest are you dealing with?

Ants Cockroaches Termites Mosquitoes Bed Bugs Spiders Other

How severe is the infestation?

A few sightings Several sightings weekly Several sightings daily Large numbers, causing damage Unknown but suspect a large number

Do you require child/pet/garden safe treatments (organic)?

Yes No

Are you willing to monitor and maintain the treatment yourself?

Yes No

Cicada Species and Research

Magicicada Species

There are several Magicicada species, including:

• Magicicada septendecim: The 17-year cicada with a striking black and orange appearance.
• Magicicada cassini: Another 17-year cicada with a mostly black appearance.
• Magicicada septendecula: A 13-year cicada with a smaller size than its counterparts.

These cicadas are known for their synchronized emergence after spending years underground. They rely on soil temperatures to indicate when they should emerge¹.

Gene Kritsky and Entomology

Gene Kritsky is an entomologist who has conducted extensive research on cicadas. His work includes the study of cicada biology, behavior and emergence patterns. Some key findings from Kritsky’s research include:

• Soil temperatures play a crucial role in cicada emergence.
• Nature influences such as weather and predation have an impact on cicada populations.

Kritsky has also shared videos on cicada behavior and emergence to educate the public about these fascinating insects.

Cicadas pose no direct threat to humans, as they do not bite or sting². They play an essential role in nature, providing food for various wildlife species.