The flight of the Cicada
Get ready, this is it. The 17 year periodical cicadas will soon emerge in Illinois. By the end of May, when soil temperatures reach 60°F, you will begin to see quarter-sized holes in the ground as the cicadas begin the next stage in their lifecycle. Illinois will have the largest emergence of cicadas compared to any other U.S. state. An average of 27 cicadas per square foot, or 133,000 per acre, is what is to be expected.
Many people mistake the cicada for a locust, which is similar to a grass hopper. The males make their way to trees and produce an acoustic – almost singing – sound in an effort to attract females. Their mating calls are very loud, and you may find yourself struggling to carry on a conversation outside during their peak mating period. The mating period lasts a few weeks after they’ve emerged from the ground. Do not be frightened if a cicada lands on you. They don’t bite or sting and the females sometimes mistake lawn mowers and weed wackers as male cicadas due to the humming of the machines.
After the males and females mate, the females will make small slits in the bark of trees where they deposit their eggs. Because so many cicadas are expected, they may cause minor damage to smaller branches on larger trees and shrubs. Cicadas will not affect evergreens. Most trees will have small branches die and break off which is normal and usually not serious to the health of the tree.
Young trees with a trunk diameter of 2 ˝” or less may experience more damage, or even death. Cheese cloth or bridal tulle, which can be purchased at any fabric store, can protect tender plants from damage. They should be covered as soon as the cicadas emerge. To properly ensure protection of the tree, use the following simple steps:
- Completely cover the tree with the cloth
- Tightly tie the cloth around the base of the tree using string
Protecting your at risk trees will prevent female cicadas from laying their eggs. If you live in an older community with established trees, cicadas will be everywhere. Newer associations, where trees have been removed, may not be as affected. It is a waste of time and money to attempt to use pesticides to control the cicadas due to the large numbers we are expecting.
Scientists have no concrete answers as to why the cicadas exist, except for the fact that they are part of the food chain for many small animals and birds. Don’t be alarmed if you find your dog eating them, they are harmless. Actually, as silly as it sounds, some people eat them as snacks. The cicadas are microwaveable and smell like almonds once roasted. If salted, they have a crispy, nutty flavor. Although cicadas are a nuisance, they’re here for only a short time – usually four weeks – and then disappear for another 17 years.
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William Quinn and Sons, Inc.
3860 W. 127th St.
Alsip, IL 60803
Phone: 708-389-8119
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