Natural Predators of 13-Year Periodical Cicadas: Who Eats Them?

Periodical cicadas, particularly those emerging every 13 years, are one of nature’s most fascinating phenomena. Their synchronized mass emergence is both a marvel and a mystery that has intrigued scientists and nature enthusiasts alike. While these insects seem to appear in overwhelming numbers, they do have natural predators that take advantage of the cicadas’ abundance. In this article, we will explore the natural predators of 13-year periodical cicadas, examining who eats them, how these predators impact cicada populations, and the ecological balance surrounding this unique cycle.

Understanding the 13-Year Periodical Cicadas

Before diving into their predators, it’s important to understand what 13-year periodical cicadas are. Periodical cicadas belong to the genus Magicicada and are known for their unique life cycle, spending most of their lives underground as nymphs feeding on root sap. After exactly 13 years (some species have a 17-year cycle), they emerge en masse as adults to mate and lay eggs before dying shortly after.

This synchronized emergence is thought to be an evolutionary strategy called “predator satiation,” where the sheer number of cicadas overwhelms predators so that enough survive to reproduce. However, this strategy doesn’t make them immune to predation—many animals feast on these insects during their brief surface appearance.

Key Natural Predators of 13-Year Periodical Cicadas

Birds

Birds are among the most prominent predators of periodical cicadas. Many bird species take advantage of the sudden abundance of these insects as a protein-rich food source.

Crows: Crows are known to be opportunistic feeders and often prey on cicadas during their emergence. They can be seen picking cicadas directly from tree trunks and the ground.

Blue Jays: These birds are particularly adept at catching cicadas in flight or snatching them off leaves and branches.
Robins: American robins feed heavily on cicadas during emergence and often use trees and shrubs as hunting grounds.
Woodpeckers: Woodpeckers may also catch cicadas or consume their nymphs found under bark or in wood.

Bird predation can be intense but generally does not significantly reduce cicada populations due to the overwhelming number of cicadas present during emergence events.

Mammals

Several mammals also feed on periodical cicadas, utilizing them as a seasonal food resource.

Raccoons: Known for their dexterity and opportunistic feeding habits, raccoons often forage for overwintering cicada nymphs and newly emerged adults.
Squirrels: Both gray and fox squirrels have been observed eating cicadas, especially when they are abundant near trees where squirrels nest.

Bats: Nocturnal bats may prey on flying adult cicadas during dusk or nighttime hours when the insects are still active or settling down.

These mammals contribute to controlling cicada numbers but usually don’t cause major declines due to periodic cicada population booms.

Insects and Arthropods

Several insect species prey on cicadas at various life stages—from eggs to adults.

Spiders: Orb-weaver spiders and other web-building spiders capture adult cicadas in their webs. Their sticky webs are effective traps for flying adults.

Praying Mantises: Known as ambush predators, praying mantises catch adult cicadas with their powerful forelegs. They can consume quite large insects relative to their own size.
Ants: Ants often prey on vulnerable nymphs or dead/dying adult cicadas. Some aggressive ant colonies strip carcasses quickly during emergence events.
Wasps: Cicada killer wasps (Sphecius speciosus) specialize in hunting and paralyzing adult cicadas, which they then take back to their nests as food for larvae. These wasps play a notable role as natural predators of large adult cicadas.

Amphibians and Reptiles

Certain amphibians and reptiles opportunistically feed on periodical cicadas when available:

Frogs and toads may consume adult cicadas that come within reach near water bodies or moist habitats.

Lizards, such as skinks and anoles, prey on smaller or vulnerable adults resting on tree trunks or vegetation.
Snakes occasionally consume nymphs or adult cicadas if they encounter them during their routine hunting activities.

While reptiles and amphibians contribute less significantly compared to birds or mammals, they nonetheless form part of the larger predation network around emergent cicadas.

How Predation Influences Cicada Populations

Despite intense predation pressure from many species during emergences, 13-year periodical cicada populations remain stable over time. This resilience largely stems from two factors:

Predator Satiation: The mass emergence strategy means there are simply too many individuals for predators to consume all at once. Even if thousands or millions are eaten, countless others survive to reproduce.
Life Cycle Length: Spending most of their life underground makes nymphs less available to predators for long periods—only emerging briefly to reproduce reduces exposure risk.

Additionally, some predators target specific life stages rather than adults alone, providing multiple points of control yet still allowing overall population persistence. For example, wasps mainly hunt adults while ants may attack nymphs or eggs.

Ecological Significance of Cicada Predators

Predators that rely heavily on periodical cicadas benefit from this temporary superabundance by supplementing their diet with a high-protein source. This abundance can lead to population increases in some predator species in emergent years.

Moreover, predation helps prevent unchecked growth of periodical cicada populations which could otherwise cause excessive damage to host trees through oviposition (egg-laying). Female cicadas cut slits into tree twigs where they deposit eggs; heavy infestations can harm young trees but predation helps maintain ecological balance by limiting overpopulation effects.

Predators also contribute indirectly by recycling nutrients back into ecosystems through consuming dead/injured insects—a critical step in ecosystem nutrient cycling during these emergences.

Conclusion

The 13-year periodical cicada is a remarkable insect whose synchronized emergence draws attention not only from people but also from a diverse array of natural predators. Birds like crows and blue jays, mammals such as raccoons and squirrels, specialized hunters like wasps, spiders, frogs, lizards, and many others all exploit this bountiful resource each cycle.

While these predators consume large numbers of cicadas during emergence events, the insect’s survival strategy—mass emergence combined with a long underground life stage—has allowed them to persist predominately unscathed over millennia. Understanding these predator-prey interactions enriches our appreciation for nature’s intricate balance and highlights the dynamic ecological relationships woven around one of nature’s most extraordinary cycles: the 13-year periodical cicada emergence.