Annual Cicada

Annual Cicadas are on the scene along with their nemesis, Cicada Killer Wasps. We started hearing cicada songs in late June in southern and western Ohio; however, the numbers are now large enough to support their killers.

Brood XIV (14) of the 17-year Periodical Cicadas have come and gone in Ohio, leaving behind oviposition damage (flagging) as a reminder of their spring fling. Annual Cicadas are now arriving on the scene along with their nemesis, Cicada Killer Wasps. Later, another trophic level may be added with the arrival of Red Velvet Ants.

During this week’s Tuesday morning BYGL Zoom Inservice, Curtis Young (OSU Extension, Van Wirt County) reported that he heard the first Annual Cicadas (family Cicadidae) this season singing in northwest Ohio over the 4th of July Weekend.  Likewise, I heard my first cicadas in the southwest part of the state this past Friday.

 

Annual cicadas share several behavioral traits with their periodical cicada (Magicicada spp.) cousins.  The nymphs of both types of cicadas develop...