Do you know what green cicadas eat? How long do they live? Are they dangerous? In this blog post, we will answer all of these questions and more! Green cicadas are fascinating insects that most people don’t know much about. Cicadas are unique in that they spend the majority of their lives underground, only emerging for a few weeks every year to mate and lay eggs. They are harmless to humans and can be quite beautiful if you catch them at the right time.

What do green cicadas eat?

Green cicadas are known as “herbivores,” meaning that they only eat plants. They use their long proboscis (a straw-like mouthpart) to pierce plant stems and suck out the sap. Cicadas prefer trees and shrubs, but they will also feed on grasses, herbs, and even fruits and vegetables. While they’re feeding, cicadas can sometimes damage plants by leaving holes in the stems or leaves.

How long do green cicadas live?

The lifespan of a green cicada depends on the species. Some cicadas only live for a few weeks, while others can live for up to 17 years! The majority of green cicadas fall somewhere in the middle, with a lifespan of two to five years.

Are green cicadas dangerous?

Green cicadas are not dangerous to humans, pets, or plants. In fact, they are actually quite harmless. The only time you need to be careful around green cicadas is when they are in their final stages of life. At this point, their exoskeletons (hard shells) are very fragile and can easily break if you touch them. If you do happen to break a cicada’s shell, don’t worry—they won’t be able to hurt you.

What do cicadas look like?

Cicadas come in a variety of colors, including green, brown, black, and even pink! The most common type of green cicada is the “dog-day cicada,” which gets its name from the fact that it is most often seen in late summer. Cicadas are generally about two inches long, with large eyes and clear wings. They make a characteristic “buzzing” sound by rubbing their wings together.

Why do cicadas make noise?

Cicadas make noise for two reasons: to attract mates, and to warn predators. The sound of a cicada buzzing can be quite loud—up to 120 decibels! This is because their wings are specially adapted to amplify the sound. Cicadas are also known for their “singing” abilities. Some species of cicada can create complex songs by modulating the pitch and frequency of their buzzes.

Cicada mouthparts

Cicadas have a long, straw-like mouthpart called a “proboscis.” This is used to pierce plant stems and suck out the sap. The proboscis is also used for mating, as it is inserted into the female’s abdomen during copulation.

Cicada eggs

Cicada eggs are laid in groups of up to 400 on the undersides of leaves. After about six weeks, the eggs hatch and the nymphs (baby cicadas) drop to the ground, where they burrow underground and begin their long period of development.

Types of cicada

There are over 1500 species of cicada, which can be divided into two main groups: the “annual” cicadas, which have a lifespan of one to two years; and the “periodical” cicadas, which have a lifespan of 13 or 17 years. The vast majority of green cicadas belong to the annual group.

Annual vs. periodical cicadas

As their name suggests, annual cicadas emerge every year, while periodical cicadas only emerge once every 13 or 17 years. This is because periodical cicadas spend most of their lives in what is known as “diapause,” a state of suspended development in which they do not grow or mature. When they finally emerge, they do so all at once in what is known as a “brood.”

Cicada nymphs

Cicada nymphs are the baby stage of the cicada life cycle. They hatch from eggs and spend several years underground, molting (shedding their skin) four times before emerging as adults. Cicadas in this stage are wingless and have a white or transparent body.

The adult stage

Once the nymphs have molted for the final time, they emerge from the ground as adults. Adults have wings and can fly, although they are not very good at it! Their primary purpose is to mate and lay eggs, after which they will die. Adult cicadas can live for up to six weeks.

The cicada life cycle

Cicadas go through four main stages in their life cycle: egg, nymph, adult, and egg again. The whole process can take anywhere from a few weeks to 17 years, depending on the species.

Egg: Cicada eggs are laid in groups of up to 400 on the undersides of leaves.

Nymph: After about six weeks, the eggs hatch and the nymphs (baby cicadas) drop to the ground, where they burrow underground and begin their long period of development.

Adult: Once the nymphs have molted for the final time, they emerge from the ground as adults. Adults have wings and can fly, although they are not very good at it! Their primary purpose is to mate and lay eggs, after which they will die.

Egg: After mating, the female cicada lays her eggs on the undersides of leaves. The cycle then starts all over again!

Cicadas are interesting creatures with a unique life cycle. Next time you see one, take a closer look and you’ll be amazed by what you see! Green cicadas are relatively harmless creatures that mostly just mind their own business. However, if you do happen to break a cicada’s shell, don’t worry—they won’t be able to hurt you.

Cicada diet by types

The diet of a cicada is what you would expect from an insect that sucks plant sap—mostly sugar water. However, different species of cicada prefer different types of plants. For example, some species prefer deciduous trees while others prefer evergreens.

Green Cicadas specifically

While there are many different types of green cicadas, they all generally eat the same things. The most common food items for green cicadas are leaves, twigs, and fruit. They will also occasionally feed on flowers and grasses. If you see a green cicada eating something other than these things, it is likely that the item in question is not actually food!

Cicadas and humans

Cicadas are not known to pose any threat to humans. In fact, they are actually considered a delicacy in some parts of the world, including China and Japan. If you’re feeling adventurous, you might want to give them a try.

What do 13-year cicadas eat?

13-year cicadas are a type of periodical cicada. As their name suggests, they only emerge every 13 years. When they do emerge, they do so all at once in what is known as a “brood.”

The diet of a 13-year cicada is what you would expect from an insect that sucks plant sap—mostly sugar water. However, different species of cicada prefer different types of plants. For example, some species prefer deciduous trees while others prefer evergreens.

The most common food items for 13-year green cicadas are leaves, twigs, and fruit. They will also occasionally feed on flowers and grass. If you see a 13-year old green cicada eating something other than these things, it is likely that the item in question is not actually food!

How do cicadas hunt?

Cicadas use their sharp mouthparts to pierce the skin of plants and then suck out the sap. This process is called “xylem feeding.” While cicadas mostly eat plant sap, they have also been known to eat small insects on occasion.

How often do cicadas eat?

Cicadas generally eat whenever they are hungry. However, different species of cicada have different feeding schedules. For example, some species only feed for a few weeks before going into hiding for the rest of their lives. Other species may feed for several months at a time before taking a break.

Do cicadas drink water?

Yes, cicadas need to drink water just like any other creature. They get most of the water they need from the plants they eat. However, if there is no plant sap available, they will drink from puddles or other sources of standing water.

Conclusion

Green cicadas are relatively harmless creatures that mostly just mind their own business. However, if you do happen to break a cicada’s shell, don’t worry—they won’t be able to hurt you. Cicadas are interesting creatures with a unique life cycle. Next time you see one, take a closer look and you’ll be amazed by what you see!

If you’re feeling adventurous, you might want to give them a try! Cicadas are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world, including China and Japan. Who knows, you might just find that you like them!

Thanks for reading!

I hope this article has taught you something new about green cicadas. ‘Til next time!

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