Do Cicadas Bite? Uncovering the Truth about These Noisy Insects

folder_openHemiptera, Insecta
comment9 Comments

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:

Creature Has Bite Has Stinger
Cicada No No
Bee No Yes
Wasp No Yes

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.

Periodical Annual
Emerge every 13-17 years Emerge every year
Characteristic of Brood X More common

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

  Mature Trees Young Saplings
Cicada Feeding Impact Minimal damage Potential harm
Protection Needed No Mesh/netting

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.

State Emergence Region
Michigan Southern region
Georgia Northern region
New York Hudson Valley
Ohio Throughout the state

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:

Approach Effectiveness Eco-Friendliness Ease of Use
Physical Barriers High High Moderate
Pesticides High Low Moderate
Environmentally Friendly Approaches Moderate High Easy

Bug Control Recommendation Tool

What type of pest are you dealing with?

How severe is the infestation?

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

Are you willing to monitor and maintain the treatment yourself?


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.

Feature Magicicada Species Other Cicada Species
Lifespan (underground) 13 or 17 years 3 to 5 years
Appearance Black & orange Green or camouflaged
Emergence synchronicity Yes No
Role of soil temperatures High Moderate

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.

Footnotes

  1. Cicadas | Home & Garden Information Center
  2. cicadas of Florida – Tibicen spp., Diceroprocta spp, Cicadetta spp …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newly Metamorphosed Cicada

 

Cicada Exuvia

 

 

Annual Cicada Metamorphosis

 

Annual Cicada Metamorphosis

 

 

Western Painted Lady

 

Annual Cicada

 

Cicada Metamorphosis

 

Annual Cicada Metamorphosis

 

Annual Cicada Metamorphosis

 

 

Annual Cicada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authors

  • Bugman

    Bugman aka Daniel Marlos has been identifying bugs since 1999. whatsthatbug.com is his passion project and it has helped millions of readers identify the bug that has been bugging them for over two decades. You can reach out to him through our Contact Page.

    View all posts
  • Piyushi Dhir

    Piyushi is a nature lover, blogger and traveler at heart. She lives in beautiful Canada with her family. Piyushi is an animal lover and loves to write about all creatures.

    View all posts
Tags: Cicadas

Related Posts

9 Comments. Leave new

  • Wow, I am totally and completely honored that you’re posting this on your blog! You guys ROCK, this site ROCKS, I love this site and refer to if often. I am tickled to no end! Thank you!

    Reply
  • cicadas
    was it 1996 when we had our last population of the cicadas/ notably at the lower salt river in mesa, az?

    Reply
  • cicadas
    was it 1996 when we had our last population of the cicadas/ notably at the lower salt river in mesa, az?

    Reply
  • Wow, that is an AWESOME image! I love how the little girl is watching happily (and not screaming and hiding, having been taught by the adults in her life to fear insects).

    I love cicadas and I was sorely tempted to drive the 5 or so hours to the nearest part of this year’s brood of Periodical Cicadas. I decided not to, but as I sit near my window I still get to enjoy the whines and buzzes of all my local ones as I type this.

    Reply
  • Wow, that is an AWESOME image! I love how the little girl is watching happily (and not screaming and hiding, having been taught by the adults in her life to fear insects).

    I love cicadas and I was sorely tempted to drive the 5 or so hours to the nearest part of this year’s brood of Periodical Cicadas. I decided not to, but as I sit near my window I still get to enjoy the whines and buzzes of all my local ones as I type this.

    Reply
    • Alas, you will have to wait until next year. Periodical Cicadas generally appear from late May until July.

      Reply
  • Most cicada species have lifecycles between 2 and 8 years. These species are often called “annual” cicadas. Annual broods overlap so adults can be found every year. Species in each lifecycle group have different sizes, colors, and songs. In contrast, “periodical” cicadas mature together in long lifecycles of 13 or 17 years. Periodical cicadas have a 3-stage lifecycle too, but spend many years as nymphs. Most of the emerging periodical cicada broods contain 2 or 3 species. The lifecycle of periodical cicadas is between 13 and 17 years. They appear in May and June. Periodical cicada adults are present in a given area only in certain years. Most of their time is spent underground in the nymph stage.

    Reply
  • Beautiful. They hang out near their exuvia while they wait for their wings to dry.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fill out this field
Fill out this field
Please enter a valid email address.
You need to agree with the terms to proceed

keyboard_arrow_up