Signs of Damage Caused by Double Drummer Cicadas on Trees

Double Drummer cicadas, known scientifically as Platypedia putnami, are a fascinating species of cicadas native to parts of North America. While their loud, distinctive calls are a hallmark of late spring and early summer, these insects can inadvertently cause significant damage to trees during their life cycle. Understanding the signs of damage caused by Double Drummer cicadas is essential for homeowners, arborists, and gardeners who want to protect their trees and maintain healthy landscapes.

Introduction to Double Drummer Cicadas

Double Drummer cicadas belong to the family Cicadidae and are part of the larger group known as periodic cicadas. Their life cycle includes an extended nymph stage underground, where they feed on root sap before emerging as adults to mate. Once above ground, adult females lay eggs in tree branches, which can lead to physical damage on trees.

Unlike some other insect pests, cicadas do not feed extensively on leaves or bark but cause damage primarily through their egg-laying behavior and nymph feeding. Recognizing this damage early is vital for intervention and minimizing long-term harm.

Life Cycle and Behavior Related to Tree Damage

To comprehend the type of damage Double Drummer cicadas cause, it’s important to know their life cycle stages:

1. Nymph Stage: Nymphs live underground for several years (depending on the species), feeding on xylem fluids from tree roots. This feeding is generally not harmful enough to kill mature trees but can stress young or already weakened ones.

2. Emergence: When ready to transform into adults, nymphs tunnel out of the soil and climb nearby trees or structures.

3. Adult Stage: Adult males produce loud calls to attract females for mating.

4. Egg Laying: Females use a saw-like ovipositor to cut slits into small twigs or branches where they deposit their eggs.

It is during this egg-laying phase that the most noticeable damage occurs.

Signs of Damage Caused by Double Drummer Cicadas

1. Slits or Incisions on Twigs and Branches

The most distinctive sign of Double Drummer cicada activity is the presence of numerous small, parallel slits carved into the bark of young twigs and branches. Female cicadas make these incisions with their ovipositors as they prepare sites for egg deposition.

• Appearance: The slits appear as narrow cuts arranged in lines along the length of small branches.
• Location: Typically found on new growth that is less than one year old and about pencil-thickness or thinner.
• Effect: These cuts disrupt the vascular tissue in the twig, potentially weakening it structurally.

2. Wilting or Dieback of Twigs

Following egg laying, affected twigs may show signs of dieback or wilting due to internal damage caused by the incisions.

• Symptoms: Leaves on these twigs may wilt prematurely, turn yellow or brown, and eventually drop off.
• Extent: If many twigs are affected, this can lead to a thinning canopy appearance.
• Timing: Dieback typically becomes evident several weeks after egg laying as the twig loses vitality.

3. Increased Twig Breakage

The weakened twigs damaged by oviposition slits become more prone to breaking during windstorms or mechanical stress.

• Observation: Broken branches or drooping limbs scattered around the tree base could be a sign.
• Risk: This breakage can be hazardous if large limbs fall near buildings or walkways.

4. Presence of Nymph Exit Holes at the Base of Trees

When nymphs emerge from underground, they create small exit holes in the soil at the base of trees.

• Description: These holes are roughly 2–3 mm wide and may be surrounded by loose soil.
• Impact: While usually not damaging themselves, large emergence events can stress saplings due to root disruption combined with feeding pressures.

5. Stress Symptoms in Young Trees

Young or newly planted trees are particularly vulnerable to cicada damage because:

• Their smaller trunks and branches are more susceptible to oviposition injury.
• Damage can stunt growth or even kill entire saplings if infestations are heavy.

Signs include reduced leaf size, sparse foliage, stunted shoot growth, and overall decline in vigor following a heavy cicada emergence year.

Long-Term Effects on Trees

While mature trees often survive cicada attacks with minimal lasting harm, repeated heavy infestations can weaken trees over time:

• Multiple years of twig dieback reduce photosynthetic capacity.
• Structural weakening increases susceptibility to secondary pests like borers.
• Stress from chronic damage can make trees more prone to diseases such as canker fungi or bacterial infections entering through wound sites caused by oviposition slits.

For young orchards or landscape plantings, this cumulative stress may mean reduced yields or premature death without proper management.

Differentiating Cicada Damage from Other Pests

Because various insects can cause twig dieback or branch breakage, accurate identification is important:

| Feature | Double Drummer Cicada Damage | Other Possible Causes |
|——————————|——————————————–|———————————–|
| Incisions on twigs | Parallel slits made by ovipositor | Chewing insect larvae make holes |
| Location | New growth twigs less than pencil-thick | Can vary widely |
| Twig dieback timing | Several weeks post-emergence | Varies depending on pest |
| Presence of exit holes | Small holes at tree base from nymph exit | Not associated with twig damage |
| Sound cues | Loud male cicada calls during mating season | None |

Observation during peak adult activity (late spring/summer) combined with twig inspection confirms cicada involvement.

Prevention and Management Strategies

Although it is challenging to completely prevent cicada damage due to their large numbers and wide distribution, certain strategies help reduce impact:

Physical Barriers

Covering young trees with fine mesh netting (1/4-inch mesh) during egg-laying season (late spring) prevents females from accessing branches for oviposition.

• Effective for high-value saplings or specimen trees.
• Netting must remain in place until all adult cicadas have died off (typically 4–6 weeks).

Pruning Damaged Branches

After emergence season ends:

• Prune out twigs with visible oviposition slits and dieback before new growth begins.
• This reduces secondary infection risk and encourages healthy regrowth.
• Proper sanitation removes potential breeding sites for future generations.

Maintaining Tree Health

Healthy trees withstand cicada stress better:

• Ensure adequate watering during dry spells.
• Apply mulch to conserve moisture.
• Fertilize appropriately based on soil tests.
• Monitor for other pests/diseases to reduce cumulative stress factors.

Avoid Excessive Chemical Control

Pesticides are generally not recommended:

• Cicadas are difficult targets due to short adult lifespan and massive numbers.
• Broad-spectrum insecticides may harm beneficial insects like pollinators.
• Focus should be on physical control methods and cultural practices instead.

Conclusion

Double Drummer cicadas play an important role in natural ecosystems despite their occasional status as minor pests in managed landscapes. Their characteristic egg-laying behavior causes unique signs of damage including twig slits, dieback, and increased branch breakage — especially detrimental to young trees. By recognizing these signs early and employing preventive measures such as netting and pruning damaged shoots, tree caretakers can minimize harm while appreciating these remarkable insects’ natural life cycles. Maintaining overall tree health remains the best defense against long-term impacts from periodic cicada outbreaks.

Understanding how to spot the telltale marks left by Double Drummer cicadas empowers homeowners and arborists alike in protecting valuable trees from avoidable injury each season.