Tips for Protecting Your Trees from Greater Western Cicadas

The Greater Western Cicada (Diceroprocta vitripennis) is a fascinating yet potentially harmful insect that cycles through periods of dormancy and intense activity. While cicadas are generally harmless to mature trees, their emergence in large numbers can cause stress to young or vulnerable trees. Understanding how to protect your trees from these insects is essential for maintaining healthy landscapes, especially in regions where Greater Western Cicadas are prevalent.

In this article, we will explore what Greater Western Cicadas are, how they affect trees, and practical strategies for safeguarding your trees from potential damage caused by these noisy insects.

Understanding the Greater Western Cicada

Greater Western Cicadas are part of the larger cicada family known for their distinctive buzzing or clicking sounds during the summer months. These cicadas spend most of their life underground as nymphs feeding on root sap, sometimes for several years, before emerging synchronously in large numbers to mate and lay eggs.

Lifecycle and Behavior

• Nymph Stage: Underground feeding on tree roots for 2-5 years.
• Emergence: Adults emerge typically in late spring or early summer.
• Egg Laying: Females cut small slits into tree branches to deposit eggs.
• Adult Lifespan: A few weeks to a month during which they mate and die.

This lifecycle can create challenges for young trees especially during the egg-laying stage when females cause damage to branches.

How Greater Western Cicadas Affect Trees

While adult cicadas themselves do not feed heavily on leaves or bark, their reproductive behaviors can stress trees:

Branch Damage

Female Greater Western Cicadas use their ovipositors to slice into twigs and small branches to lay eggs. This process creates wounds that may:

• Cause twig dieback.
• Reduce photosynthetic capacity.
• Open pathways for secondary infections by fungi or bacteria.

Stress on Young Trees

Younger and newly planted trees with thinner bark and smaller branches are more vulnerable to damage. Unlike mature trees, which can usually tolerate cicada egg-laying without significant harm, young trees may experience:

• Weakened growth.
• Increased susceptibility to drought or disease.
• Structural damage leading to poor development.

Root Feeding Impact (Minimal)

Nymphs feed on root sap underground but rarely cause noticeable harm unless population density is extremely high.

Tips for Protecting Your Trees from Greater Western Cicadas

Protecting your valuable trees requires a combination of monitoring, prevention, and sometimes direct intervention. Here are effective tips to guard your trees against Greater Western Cicada damage:

1. Identify Vulnerable Trees Early

Focus protection efforts on:

• Newly planted or young trees (less than 5 years old).
• Trees with thin bark or small branch diameters.
• Valuable ornamental or fruit trees prone to cicada damage.

Early identification allows timely application of protective measures before cicadas emerge.

2. Use Physical Barriers

Physical exclusion is one of the most effective ways to prevent cicadas from laying eggs on tree branches.

• Fine Mesh Netting: Cover the entire tree with a fine mesh net (less than 1/4 inch openings) before cicada emergence begins. This prevents females from accessing branches.

• Begin coverage in late spring when nymphs typically start emerging.

• Ensure nets are secured tightly around the trunk and ground to prevent entry.

• Remove nets after 4-6 weeks once cicada activity declines.

• Floating Row Covers: Lightweight fabric covers can also provide protection without harming the tree’s growth.

3. Prune Infested Branches after Emergence

If you notice twig dieback or oviposition scars after cicada activity:

• Prune affected branches during late summer or early fall.
• Dispose of pruned material properly by burning or bagging to reduce egg hatch risk near your property.
• Avoid heavy pruning during active egg-laying periods, as fresh cuts may attract more egg-laying females.

4. Maintain Tree Health and Vigor

Healthy trees withstand insect stress better than weak ones. Practices include:

• Regular Watering: Especially during dry spells, provide adequate water supply.
• Mulching: Apply organic mulch around the base (2-4 inches thick) but keep it away from the trunk to conserve soil moisture and regulate temperature.
• Fertilization: Use appropriate fertilizers based on soil testing to maintain nutrient balance.

Healthy growth helps repair oviposition wounds faster and reduces risk of secondary infections.

5. Encourage Natural Predators

Certain birds, spiders, and predatory insects feed on adult cicadas and nymphs:

• Attract insectivorous birds such as woodpeckers by providing feeders or birdhouses nearby.
• Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides that may harm beneficial predators.

Natural predation can help reduce cicada populations over time.

6. Chemical Control Measures (Use with Caution)

Chemical controls are generally not recommended due to limited effectiveness and potential harm to beneficial insects. However, if damage is severe:

• Consult a local arborist or extension service for recommendations on approved insecticides targeted at cicadas.
• Apply insecticides only before egg-laying begins; treating after eggs have been deposited is ineffective.

Always follow label instructions carefully and consider environmental impact.

7. Soil Treatment Options

Some homeowners explore soil treatments targeting nymphs underground:

• Beneficial nematodes (microscopic worms) may reduce nymph populations by parasitizing them in the soil.

This biological control method requires timing before emergence and is still under research for efficacy against Greater Western Cicadas specifically.

Additional Considerations for Tree Protection

Timing Is Crucial

Greater Western Cicada emergence tends to be periodic but predictable in many regions. Track past population cycles through local agricultural extensions or entomology departments to prepare accordingly.

Community-Wide Efforts

Since cicadas emerge en masse over wide areas:

• Coordinating protective measures with neighbors can reduce overall population pressure.
• Public awareness campaigns help limit unnecessary panic or misuse of pesticides.

Long-Term Tree Selection Strategy

When planting new trees in regions prone to cicadas:

• Select species known for greater resistance such as oaks or maples with thicker bark and stronger branch structures.
• Avoid planting very delicate species vulnerable to twig damage near known cicada hotspots.

Conclusion

Greater Western Cicadas are an intriguing part of nature’s cycle but can pose challenges for young and vulnerable trees through their egg-laying activities. Protecting your trees requires vigilance, proactive measures like physical barriers, pruning damaged limbs, maintaining tree health, and encouraging natural predators.

By understanding the biology of these cicadas and implementing these tips at the right time of year, you can significantly reduce damage and help your trees thrive despite periodic cicada emergences. Keeping your landscape resilient not only preserves its beauty but also supports overall ecosystem balance where these remarkable insects play their role.

For further information about managing Greater Western Cicadas in your area, contact local agricultural extension services or professional arborists experienced with regional insect pests.