Introduction

Cicadas are common insects that are well known for their distinct chirping sound that they produce during the summer months. These winged creatures are primarily vegetarian and are known for their feeding habits. In this article, we will explore the question if cicadas eat plants and trees.

Feeding Habits of Cicadas

Cicadas are known for their feeding habits as they primarily feed on plant sap. They use their long and sharp mouthparts to pierce the bark of trees, shrubs, and other plants to suck out the sap. The sap consumed by cicadas is rich in sugar, providing them with the energy they need to survive. While cicadas are known for feeding on plant sap, they are not known to eat plants and trees.

Do Cicadas Consume Fruits and Vegetables?

Cicadas do not consume fruits and vegetables as their primary diet consists of plant sap. While they may occasionally be found on fruits and vegetables, they are merely using them as a landing site to feed on the sap of the plant that they are found on. Cicadas are not known for feeding on the fruit or vegetable itself.

Do Cicadas Harm Plants and Trees?

Cicadas can cause damage to plants and trees as they use their mouthparts to pierce the bark of the tree, which can cause the tree to become stressed or die in severe cases. While cicadas do not eat the tree, the damage they inflict can result in imbalanced nutrient transport, poor growth of the plant, and death in severe cases. However, cicadas are not known to be a major threat to trees and plants unless they are in large numbers.

The Life Cycle of Cicadas

Cicadas have a unique and interesting life cycle. They spend most of their life underground, where they hatch from their eggs and burrow below the soil to feed on the sap of plant roots. After several years, the cicadas emerge from the ground as adults and mate in the trees. The females lay their eggs in the bark of trees, where they hatch and burrow underground. Cicadas are not known for causing damage to the trees they lay their eggs in, and the damage caused during feeding is often limited to lower branches.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cicadas do not eat plants and trees. They primarily feed on the sap of plants, which allows them to survive and thrive. While cicadas can cause damage to trees and plants during feeding, this is often not a significant concern unless the cicadas are in large numbers. Overall, cicadas play an important role in the ecosystem, and their feeding habits are an essential part of the environment in which they live.