Do you know what periodical cicadas eat? If not, you’re not alone. Most people don’t have a clue what these strange creatures put in their mouths. In this blog post, we will discuss what periodical cicadas eat and how long they live. We’ll also answer the question of how long they live above ground. Stay tuned!

What do periodical cicadas eat?

Periodical cicadas are strange creatures that many people know little about. One of the most common questions about them is what do they eat? The answer may surprise you. Cicadas are actually plant-eating insects. They feed on the sap of trees and shrubs.

This means that they don’t directly harm people or animals. However, their feeding habits can damage plants. When large numbers of cicadas feed on a tree, they can remove so much sap that the tree is weakened and may die.

How long do cicadas live?

Cicadas have two life cycles—a short above-ground cycle and a long underground cycle. Adult cicadas only live for a few weeks to a few months. However, they spend most of their lives in the underground nymph stage. Nymphs can live for up to 17 years below ground!

How long do cicadas live above ground?

As we mentioned, adult cicadas only live for a few weeks to a few months. This is the only time that they are above ground. After they mate, female cicadas lay their eggs in tree branches. The eggs hatch and the nymphs drop to the ground where they burrow into the soil and begin their long underground life cycle.

Cicada mouthparts

Cicadas have long, beak-like mouthparts that they use to pierce the bark of trees and suck out the sap. This can damage trees, especially if large numbers of cicadas are feeding on them.

What do cicadas eat?

As we mentioned, cicadas are plant-eating insects. They feed on the sap of trees and shrubs. This means that they don’t directly harm people or animals. However, their feeding habits can damage plants. When large numbers of cicadas feed on a tree, they can remove so much sap that the tree is weakened and may die.

Cicada nymphs

Cicada nymphs are the immature stage of these insects. Nymphs spend most of their lives underground, where they feed on plant roots. After several years, they emerge from the ground as adults.

Adult cicadas

Adult cicadas only live for a few weeks to a few months. This is the only time that they are above ground. After they mate, female cicadas lay their eggs in tree branches. The eggs hatch and the nymphs drop to the ground where they burrow into the soil and begin their long underground life cycle.

Cicada habitat

Cicadas are found all over the world. They live in trees and shrubs and can be found on nearly every continent, except for Antarctica.

What do cicadas mean?

The word “cicada” comes from the Latin word cicada, which means “locust.” Cicadas are sometimes called locusts because of their plant-eating habits. However, they are not related to true locusts, which are a type of grasshopper.

What do cicadas do?

Cicadas are mostly known for their loud, nighttime singing. Male cicadas sing to attract mates. They produce their sound by vibrating membranes on their abdomens. Cicadas can be a nuisance because of their noise, but they are actually harmless to people and animals.

What do cicadas look like?

Cicadas are small to medium-sized insects. They have two pairs of wings and large, compound eyes. Their bodies are often brightly colored, with patterns of black, brown, red, or green.

The life cycle of cicadas

As we mentioned, cicadas have two life cycles—a short above-ground cycle and a long underground cycle. Adult cicadas only live for a few weeks to a few months. However, they spend most of their lives in the underground nymph stage. Nymphs can live for up to 17 years below ground!

Cicada predators

Cicadas have many predators, including birds, bats, lizards, snakes, and spiders. Some animals, such as raccoons and opossums, will dig up cicada nymphs to eat them. People also sometimes eat cicadas. In some parts of the world, cicadas are considered a delicacy!

Are cicadas dangerous?

Cicadas are not dangerous to people or animals. They do not bite or sting and they are not poisonous. However, their feeding habits can damage plants. When large numbers of cicadas feed on a tree, they can remove so much sap that the tree is weakened and may die.

Are cicadas locusts?

Cicadas are sometimes called locusts because of their plant-eating habits. However, they are not related to true locusts, which are a type of grasshopper.

Do cicadas make noise?

Yes, cicadas are known for their loud singing. Male cicadas sing to attract mates. They produce their sound by vibrating membranes on their abdomens. Cicadas can be a nuisance because of their noise, but they are actually harmless to people and animals.

What is the biggest cicada?

The largest recorded cicada was nearly four inches long! Most cicadas are much smaller than this, however. The average adult cicada is about one to two inches long.

What is the smallest cicada?

The smallest recorded cicada was less than half an inch long! Most cicadas are much larger than this, however. The average adult cicada is about one to two inches long.

What do baby cicadas look like?

Baby cicadas, or nymphs, look like small adults. They have two pairs of wings and large, compound eyes. Their bodies are often brightly colored, with patterns of black, brown, red, or green. Nymphs spend most of their lives underground, where they feed on plant roots. After several years, they emerge from the ground as adults.

When do cicadas come out?

Cicadas spend most of their lives in the underground nymph stage. Nymphs can live for up to 17 years below ground! Adult cicadas only emerge from the ground when the temperature and soil moisture are just right. In most parts of the world, this happens once every 13 or 17 years.

Where do cicadas go when they die?

When adult cicadas die, their bodies fall to the ground where they decompose. Cicadas are an important part of the food chain because they provide food for many animals, including birds, bats, lizards, snakes, and spiders.

Where are cicadas found?

Cicadas are found on every continent except Antarctica. They are most common in warm, humid climates. In the United States, cicadas are most often found in the southeastern states.

Types of cicadas

There are more than 3000 species of cicadas! The most well-known cicadas are the periodical cicadas, which have a life cycle of 13 or 17 years. However, most cicadas have much shorter life cycles and only emerge from the ground every one to five years.

Fun facts about cicadas

• Cicadas are one of the oldest groups of insects, with fossil records dating back more than 300 million years!
• Cicadas are sometimes called locusts because of their plant-eating habits. However, they are not related to true locusts, which are a type of grasshopper.
• The largest recorded cicada was nearly four inches long! Most cicadas are much smaller than this, however. The average adult cicada is about one to two inches long.
• The smallest recorded cicada was less than half an inch long! Most cicadas are much larger than this, however. The average adult cicada is about one to two inches long.
• Cicadas are found on every continent except Antarctica. They are most common in warm, humid climates. In the United States, cicadas are most often found in the southeastern states.
• There are more than 3000 species of cicadas! The most well-known cicadas are the periodical cicadas, which have a life cycle of 13 or 17 years. However, most cicadas have much shorter life cycles and only emerge from the ground every one to five years.
• Cicadas are an important part of the food chain because they provide food for many animals, including birds, bats, lizards, snakes, and spiders.
• Male cicadas sing to attract mates. They produce their sound by vibrating membranes on their abdomens. Cicadas can be a nuisance because of their noise, but they are actually harmless to people and animals.

Final Thoughts

We hope you now have a better understanding of what periodical cicadas eat and how long they live. These strange creatures are actually harmless to people and animals. However, their feeding habits can damage plants. If you have any more questions about cicadas, please leave them in the comments below!

Thanks for reading!

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