We have been waiting 17 years for this…

Surprise under cinder blocks!
Periodical Cicada, Seventeen year locust

Ready or not, here they come! Yes it’s that time again when we get the pleasure of the loud racket caused by the mating call of the male Periodical Cicada (Genus:  Magicada). The periodical cicadas re-emerge every 13 or 17 years, depending on what brood classification they are in. So I am not sure if these are the 13 or 17 year beauties. I uncovered this little army while moving an old pile of cinderblocks. (You can see the underground tunnel the one in picture below is still in.) The nymph stage will emerge soon, crawl up tree trunks and begin their brief adult life-a very noisy one indeed.

Periodical Cicada Nymph

Once mated, the female will cut a short notch in young stems of woody plants and deposit her fertilized eggs. These notches, if plentiful enough can result in stem decline or death, but will not necessarily kill an otherwise healthy mature plant however If you have planted some young trees or shrubs last fall or this spring, they are at a much higher risk of being adversely affected. Once the eggs hatch (about 6-8 weeks after being laid), they will turn into nymphs which will then travel back underground where they will remain, happily munching on roots for another 13 or 17 years.

Can’t wait to hear their boisterous music!

Submitted by Kathy Scott, Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Chapter of VMN