Will Cicadas Hurt My Tomato Plants?

Cicadas are one of the most fascinating insects in nature, with their distinctive sound and massive numbers during their brood cycles. However, when they emerge from their underground hibernation, they can wreak havoc on gardens and crops, including tomato plants. So, if you are a tomato gardener, you may be concerned about the potential damage that cicadas can cause to your plants. In this article, we will explore this question in detail and provide some tips on how to protect your tomato plants from these pesky insects.

What Are Cicadas?

Cicadas are large insects that belong to the family Cicadidae. There are over 3,000 species of cicadas around the world, and they are known for their loud and distinct buzzing or clicking sounds. Cicadas spend most of their lives underground as nymphs, feeding on tree roots. They emerge in massive numbers at regular intervals known as broods, usually every 13 or 17 years, depending on the species.

Do Cicadas Eat Tomato Plants?

Cicadas are not known to eat tomato plants or any other plants for that matter. They do not have the necessary mouthparts to pierce and suck the sap of plants. However, cicadas can cause damage indirectly by laying their eggs in the branches of trees and shrubs. Female cicadas lay their eggs using a saw-like ovipositor, which creates small slits in the bark of branches. This can cause stress and damage to the branches, making them more susceptible to disease and breakage. If your tomato plant is located near a tree or shrub that is infested with cicadas, it may suffer collateral damage from these egg-laying activities.

How to Protect Your Tomato Plants from Cicadas

If you are concerned about the potential damage that cicadas can cause to your tomato plants, here are some tips on how to protect them:

1. Cover Your Plants

You can protect your tomato plants by covering them with a lightweight fabric or netting. This will keep the cicadas from landing on your plants and can also protect them from other pests like birds and squirrels.

2. Remove Nearby Trees and Shrubs

If you have trees or shrubs near your tomato plants that are infested with cicadas, consider removing them. This will eliminate the potential collateral damage from egg-laying activities.

3. Use Insecticides

You can use insecticides to kill cicadas, but this is not recommended for tomato plants since insecticides can also harm beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. If you do decide to use insecticides, make sure to follow the instructions carefully and use a product that is safe for edible plants.

4. Wait It Out

Cicadas have a relatively short life cycle, lasting only a few weeks once they emerge from the ground. If your tomato plants are not severely damaged, you can simply wait for the cicada infestation to pass and then resume normal care of your plants.

Conclusion

In summary, cicadas are not known to eat tomato plants, but they can indirectly cause damage to the branches of nearby trees and shrubs. If you are concerned about the potential damage that cicadas can cause to your tomato plants, you can protect them by covering them, removing nearby trees and shrubs, using insecticides, or simply waiting it out. With the right care and attention, your tomato plants can continue to thrive even during a cicada infestation.