Cicada - Is this guy gonna eat my wisteria?

[ok_nurse]

I know this is one of those cicadias (sp). Just wondering what he eats-been finding all kinds of "skins" around my yard this year.

[gardeningmom]

We have tons of them around this year! I don't know what they eat?

[GARDEN GUY]

Just found this.......

Question: Will the cicadas kill my trees, shrubs and flowers?
Answer: Possibly. Cicadas don't kill flowers and shouldn't damage shrubs, but they can do damage to young, wimpy trees like ornamentals. If you have wimpy little trees, you can net them to keep the cicadas off. Tree species that aren't native to North America won't fare as well as native species. Trees that lose a lot of branches typically revive after a year or two, but they will be ugly in the mean time. Cicadas actually are a benefit to trees, as they destroy the weaker branches. Please don't use pesticides -- you'll destroy the good bugs as well and the "nuisance" bugs, and ultimately do your garden and the environment a huge disfavor.

[unicorn2564]

When I was growing up in Texas I use to play with them in out big weeping willow tree...Mom hated it when I brought in there empty shells that they hatch out of.Dang there noisy when you play with them.

[pooh]

MY mom was the same way well what goes around my cats bring them to me just screaming cat lets go thay stop cat pats thay start up on on on on the cats love it thay will go for hours i take them after a time so thay dont [dirt nap} lol

[santoury]

No - it won't kill your Wisteria. (Nothing can kill a Wisteria, BTW)
They suck sap - but the adults do not eat much at all. They prefer trees, actually.

[SouthernCharm1]

Is that really as big as it appears in the picture? *cringes*

[santoury]

Yes, they do get huge, 3 inches or so. Very thick too.

[unicorn2564]

ohh yeah thats pretty close to actual size...There harmless. they just make a big noise when there mad.

[bhscarlett]

in august i think of every year,, dont they emerge from the ground or something like that to complete their life,, spend it in the tree , loose that funny hard shell usually attached to a tree or branch,, and i dont know if they go back under or mate, or die,, not sure but they make a distinct noise that is a for sure,, a very loud noise,, i thought they might be using it for calling,, but saw one on my porch light last year,, it seemed to be warming up or something,, i really thought that was odd.. but i knew it was a cicada for sure,, really large,, i dont think they bite, they just look scary,,, blessings,, beth

[SDB777]

They just make a big noise when there mad.

Then all of them here are really ripped right now! Can't hear yourself think if you sit outside.


Found some 'skins' on my lily plants yesterday. Was wondering why nothing seems to eat them....I haven't seen the birds trying to eat them.




Scott (nice picture) B

[Blueslover56]

My chocolate lab loves eating the shells, I hope they don't hurt her, but there are so many shells around my yard, it's impossible to pluck them all.

[ok_nurse]

Actually I think they are cute with their little eyes bugging out the side of their heads. No they don't bite. And I know they spend 17 years as larvae under the soil before they crawl up the trunk of the tree and shed their skins and fly off for one single season to mate and die. Awesome huh? This guy was laid as an egg when my son was and infant in 1991.

[unicorn2564]

ohh yeah ...I remember hearing that many years ago. There are a lot of bodies in the ground in Texas and elsewhere !!!!

[bhscarlett]

i didnt know they lived that long,, wow,, that is really something,, i guess i missed reading alot about them,, I just assumed insect lives were short,, but thats long for a bug,, IN my opinion only, blessings, beth, boy i have sure learned alot from all of you here,, sometimes im really feeling inferior,,