The periodical cicada, Magicicada septendecim, will emerge this coming spring over a large percentage of central West Virginia. Thye cicadas, also known as 17-year locusts, will be members of Brood V that made their last appearance in 1982.
Egg-laying injury occurs mostly on newly planted shade trees. Damage occurs when the female cicada cuts two parallel slits in small twigs where she lays 24 to 28 eggs. Sometimes, a continuous slit 2 to 3 inches long is formed as she slowly makes her way up a twig. The slits cause flagging, or breakage, to the tips of the branches. The eggs hatch in midsummer, and young cicadas, or nymphs, fall to the ground. They burrow into the ground and spend 16½ years feeding on small roots. At the end of this time, usually in May or early June, nymphs move to the surface and crawl up a tree trunk where they shed their skins.
Adults are red eyed and dark bodied. They do not feed and live only for a few weeks while reproduction takes place. Males are responsible for the noise when they call for mates. The most common call sounds like "f-a-r-r-o."
One of the best ways to prevent damage is to cover young trees with cheesecloth, finely woven netting or tobacco shade cloth. This physically prevents females from laying eggs in the twigs. Trees to large to cover may be sprayed with Carbaryl (Sevin). Sprays should be applied 10 to 14 days after the first makes are heard "singing" in May. Follow all label directions carefully. Chemical control is difficult during the peak of egg laying, because of the large numbers of cicadas present and the relatively slow action of the pesticide. Injured wood can be pruned out next winter.
Delay planting of new trees and shrubs if possible.
Dog day cicadas, which are out in July and August, are a different species and not pests.
