Do Cicadas Damage Tomato Plants?

As we enter the summer season, you may start noticing the loud, buzzing sounds of cicadas in your garden. While they are fascinating insects to observe, you may wonder if they could potentially harm your tomato plants. In this article, we will explore whether cicadas are a threat to your tomato plants.

What are Cicadas?

Cicadas are insects known for their distinctive buzzing sound. They belong to the family Cicadidae and are known for their large, clear wings and their long life cycle. Cicadas spend most of their lives in the ground, feeding on plant roots, before emerging as adults to mate and lay eggs. There are over 3,000 species of cicadas worldwide, with some species having a life cycle of up to 17 years.

Do Cicadas Damage Tomato Plants?

While cicadas are known to feed on plant roots, they are typically not a threat to tomato plants. In fact, cicadas can be beneficial to tomato plants as they help to aerate the soil and increase nutrient uptake. However, if you have young tomato plants that have not yet established a strong root system, cicadas may pose a threat as they could potentially damage the developing roots.

If you have noticed cicadas in your garden and you are concerned about the health of your tomato plants, it is important to monitor your plants closely for signs of damage. If you notice that your tomato plants are wilting or not growing as well as they should be, it may be a sign that the cicadas are damaging the roots.

How to Protect Your Tomato Plants from Cicadas

If you are concerned about cicadas damaging your tomato plants, there are a few things you can do to protect them. One option is to cover your plants with a lightweight row cover to keep the cicadas away. You can also try planting your tomato plants in a different area of your garden, away from areas where cicadas are known to feed.

In addition, you can take steps to promote healthy root growth in your tomato plants. This can be done by watering your plants deeply and regularly, using a high-quality fertilizer, and providing adequate spacing between plants to allow for proper root development.

Conclusion

While cicadas can be a concern for gardeners, they typically do not pose a threat to tomato plants. If you have young tomato plants, it is important to monitor them closely for signs of damage. However, in most cases, cicadas can actually be beneficial to tomato plants by aerating the soil and increasing nutrient uptake. By taking steps to promote healthy root growth and keeping an eye on your plants, you can ensure that your tomato plants remain healthy and productive throughout the growing season.