(photo source http://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ENT-58)
Periodical cicadas will be emerging in our area in 2016. This area is part of what is known as “Brood V” which roughly covers the eastern half of Ohio. If you drive west of Columbus you will be out of the region where this emergence is likely to take place. These cicadas emerge once every 17 years. This massive brood emergence should take place in May and early June.
What happens? Mature cicada nymphs crawl out of the soil and climb nearby trees to molt. They shed their outer skins on their way to assuming their full adult form. The males will sing, which sometimes occurs in synchronization, which creates a loud buzzing noise which will last for days. You can expect to see the adults on your trees, possibly falling from trees, and occasionally in flight, and you may find the exoskeletons (skin) that have been shed.
What is the risk? Damage can occur when adult females lay eggs in new small twigs. New young trees are at most risk while mature trees can withstand the damage. Flagging in the canopy is a sign that you have branches damaged by cicada egg laying. Your options are to delay tree planting until after the emergence has passed or to try to prevent egg laying be covering sensitive trees with a product with holes smaller than 1/4 inch. Chemical controls are not recommended.
Two excellent resources:
- A fact sheet from OSU on OhioLine http://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ENT-58 provides more detailed information for Ohio.
- www.magicicada.org provides active reporting and an active citizen science project as well as more detailed information and notes from the entire region.
Remember, this only happens once every 17 years so take a few minutes to enjoy it!