[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” module_id=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”squiggle-left” _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” width=”75%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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Order: Hemiptera
Family: Cicadidae, Tibicinidae<\/p>\n
There are about 29 species of cicada in Colorado that range in size and color. They often have black bodies with varying shades and patterns of brown, white, green, or red. Some commonly observed cicadas in Colorado include Megatibicen<\/em> spp., Platypedia putnami<\/em>, Cacama valvata<\/em>, and Okanaga bella<\/em>. Of these, P. putnami<\/em> is widely distributed along urban forests in central areas of the Front Range. Four additional species, Tibicen dorsatus<\/em>, Tibicen bifidus<\/em>, Okanagana hesperia<\/em>, and Okanaga synodica<\/em> are closely associated with the Great Plains. One species, Tibicen dealbatus<\/em>, is established in the isolated urban forests of Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Denver, and Fort Collins. The exact size and coloration of adults varies among species. The Megatibicen<\/em> spp. are relatively large at 2.5\u20134 cm (1-1 1\/2 inches) long, while other species are only about 1.3 cm (1\/2 inch) long. Adults have very short antennae and four transparent wings that extend beyond the abdomen and are folded over the back at rest. The immatures, called nymphs, are different shades of brown and live underground where they feed on plant fluids by piercing the roots of grasses, shrubs, and trees. The eggs of different cicada species vary in appearance, but are typically cigar shaped, white or cream colored, and measure 1.5-3 mm (~1\/20-1\/10 inch) long.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Quick Facts” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#F15625″ image_icon_width=”36px” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”26px” background_color=”#FEBD3B” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/10\/adult-cicada-jpg.webp” alt=”bed bug infestation” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” hover_enabled=”0″ border_width_all=”4px” border_color_all=”#F15625″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Adult cicada. Note the clear wings that extend beyond the tip of the abdomen. Image credit: William M. Ciesla, Forest Health Management International, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/10\/cicada-eggs-jpg.webp” alt=”bed bug bites” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Cicada eggs arranged in rows. Image credit: Lacy L. Hyche, Auburn University, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/10\/cicada-nymph-jpg.webp” alt=”bed bug eggs” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Cicada nymph. Image credit: John Ghent, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/10\/emerging-adult-cicada-jpg.webp” alt=”bed bug eggs” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Adult cicada emerging from nymphal case. Note the white appearance and collapsed wings of the adult cicada. Image credit: Joseph OBrien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2023\/10\/tree-injury-cicada-oviposition-jpg.webp” alt=”bed bug” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Tree injured by oviposition behavior of cicadas. Image credit: USDA Forest Service – Forest Health Protection Intermountain Region – Ogden, UT, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n All cicadas have three life stages: egg, nymph, and adult. The mating calls of cicadas can only be heard during the day and are produced with a structure called a tymbal on the abdomen, or by rustling of the wings. Often, cicadas are more easily heard than seen as males produce a loud buzzing, shrill, rustling, or clicking noise to attract females. After mating, females use an ovipositor to cut an egg-laying site in small twigs and branches. During this time a single female can produce between 200-600 eggs, depending on the species. Newly emerged nymphs tunnel into the soil in search of small roots to feed on and tend to remain on a single host unless the plant dies, at which point the cicada nymph continues burrowing until a new host is found. Cicadas overwinter underground as nymphs. Mature nymphs emerge from the ground and crawl upward on tree trunks, posts, fences, and the sides of buildings where they molt into adults, leaving behind exuviae (shed skins). The newly emerged adults remain inactive for several hours while blood is pumped to the wings and the exoskeleton hardens. Cicadas typically live four to six weeks after emerging from the soil, depending on the weather.<\/p>\n Cicadas are some of the most long-lived insects, and most of their development occurs underground as nymphs. In Colorado, most species require three to five years to fully develop. Although not found in Colorado, the periodical 17-year and 13-year cicadas get their name based on the length of time required for the nymphs to complete their development. These cicadas occur east of the Mississippi river and the adults emerge in large numbers every 17 or 13 years.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n While cicadas do not usually cause significant injury to plants, oviposition behaviors produce puncture wounds that can cause twigs to break and die. One species Platypedia putnami<\/em> can significantly injure plants when large numbers of females seek oviposition sites.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Deploying netting over young susceptible plants can help prevent oviposition injuries. Several natural enemies of cicadas occur in Colorado. Predators include spiders, birds, and small mammals, while the cicada killer wasps, Sphecius<\/em> spp. (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) are parasitoids that inhabit southeastern and southwestern parts of the state. These wasps paralyze adult cicadas and transport them back to their ground nest cells to provide food for their young. One species of beetle, Sandalus niger<\/em> (Coleoptera: Rhipiceridae), is a parasite of cicada nymphs and is found in Prowers County in southeastern Colorado.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”CSU Extension Fact Sheet” url=”https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/topic-areas\/insects\/cicadas-5-590\/#:~:text=The%20adult%20cicadas%20found%20in,%E2%80%9Csing%E2%80%9D%20to%20attract%20females.” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#F15625″ image_icon_width=”36px” _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″ header_font_size=”36px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Download or view the CSU Extension’s PDF fact sheet for your reference.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Gaye, W. 2017.<\/strong> Cicada Fact Sheet. Maryland Department of Agriculture. Available https:\/\/mda.maryland.gov\/plants-pests\/Documents\/Cicada-Facts-2017.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n Hahn, J. 2018.<\/strong> Cicadas. University of Minnesota \u2013 Extension. Available https:\/\/extension.umn.edu\/yard-and-garden-insects\/cicadas<\/a><\/p>\n Kondratieff, B., and D. Leatherman, 2002.<\/strong> Insects of Western North America. 2: The Cicadas of Colorado (Homoptera: Cicadidae, Tibicinidae). Colorado State University – C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity. Available https:\/\/dspace6.library.colostate.edu\/bitstream\/handle\/10217\/81119\/BSPMGILL_InsectsofWesternNorthAmerica2.pdf?sequence=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n
Life history and habits<\/h2>\n
Injury<\/h3>\n
Management<\/h2>\n
References<\/h3>\n