Cicadas

Crops damaged: Cicadas are known to be polyphagous pests. They cause significant damage to fruit trees including apples, pears, peaches, and various nuts. They also infest vineyards and a wide range of ornamental and hardwood trees, such as oaks and poplars, which often serve as host plants in rural and urban landscapes.

Biology and life cycle: The life cycle of Cicadidae is uniquely long, ranging from several years to over a decade. Females use a saw-like ovipositor to insert eggs into the tissues of living twigs. Upon hatching, the nymphs drop to the ground and burrow into the soil, where they spend most of their lives feeding on the sap of tree roots before emerging as adults to molt and reproduce.

Nature of damage and harm: The primary harm occurs during the egg-laying process. The incisions made by the female damage the plant vascular tissue, often leading to "flagging," where twigs wither, turn brown, and eventually break off. These wounds also leave the plant vulnerable to fungal spores and secondary pathogens, which can severely compromise the health of young trees.

Control measures:

• Remove and destroy damaged twigs before nymphs hatch.
• Apply systemic insecticides during the peak adult emergence period.
• Use physical barriers like netting to prevent egg-laying on young trees.
• Maintain tree vigor through proper fertilization and irrigation.
• Monitor the soil for signs of nymphal activity in infested areas.