NOTE: You can learn more about periodical cicadas by accessing our updated 2025 OSU Extension fact sheet titled “Periodical Cicadas in Ohio,” which was posted in March. Click this hotlink to see the fact sheet:
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ENT-58
Current Observations
Brood XIV (14) of the 17-year periodical cicadas (Magicicada spp.) in southern Ohio remains impactful. The cacophonous chorusing of the males continues with females producing egg slits (a.k.a. oviposition slits) on a wide range of plant stems. The oviposition damage is now producing noticeable stem dieback called “flagging.”
The image below shows a female laying eggs while at the same time using her tube-like mouthparts to pierce the stem. It was once believed that short-lived periodical cicada adults don’t feed. However, it’s now known that their hardened piercing-sucking mouthparts are designed to penetrate woody stems to withdraw fluids from the sapwood. However, their feeding damage is inconsequential.
Likewise, research has shown that oviposition damage primarily affects aesthetics. Although the flagging is readily apparent, the impact on tree health is minimal. Our trees evolved with our cicadas. Of course, extensive flagging on trees 4 years old or younger can be serious because more of the branches are the preferred size for oviposition, 1/4–1/2 inch in diameter.
There’s a common misconception that periodical cicada females confine their egg-laying activity to older woody stems. However, as demonstrated in the images below, the females will readily insert their eggs into this year’s new growth. Indeed, the oviposition damage on the soft current year’s growth may be more impactful.
The series of images below illustrates the periodical cicada’s egg-laying behavior. The first image shows a female laying eggs. The next images show how the female creates the characteristic stitching pattern as she moves forward to insert more eggs.
Finally, the images below show that periodical cicadas will lay eggs on some unusual hosts such as Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), and Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba). Of course, these may seem like unusual hosts until you consider the true relationship the cicadas have with their oviposition hosts, and vice versa.
In essence, the plant stems simply serve as safe sites for the eggs as they mature for around 6 to 10 weeks, and the ant-like nymphs hatch and drop to the ground. Presumably, the active vascular system keeps the eggs from dehydrating. Research has shown that egg viability declines if the affected stems become dehydrated and break from the tree.
It is well established that natural selection has gifted Ginkgo with a significant plant defense punch. However, periodical cicada oviposition damage causes no real harm to the overall health of this or other hosts. So, there’s no evolutionary advantage for the host to acquire a defense against periodical cicada oviposition.
PLEASE Report Sitings Using Cicada Safari: We Need Your Help!
Mapping the geographical range of Brood XIV (14) can only occur every 17 years. Gene Kritsky (Professor Emeritus of Biology, Mount St. Joseph University) worked with his university’s Center for IT Engagement to develop the Cicada Safari phone app. You can download the FREE Android or iPhone app by visiting the Apple App Store or Google Play. The app is easy to use, and it takes no time to take a photo and submit it to Cicada Safari.
MAPPING UPDATE: The app has already had an impact. Based on observations made thus far this season, we will be updating the Ohio cicada map in our OSU fact sheet. However, we need more reporting from southeast Ohio!
Click this hotlink to learn more about Cicada Safari:
https://cicadasafari.org/
Selected References
Clay, K., Shelton, A. L., & Winkle, C. (2009). Effects of oviposition by periodical cicadas on tree growth. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 39(9), 1688–1697.
https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/X09-090
Flory, S. L., & Mattingly, W. B. (2008). Response of host plants to periodical cicada oviposition damage. Oecologia, 156, 649–656.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-008-1016-z
Hepler, J. R., Cooper, W. R., Cullum, J. P., Dardick, C., Dardick, L., Nixon, L. J., ... & Leskey, T. C. (2023). Do adult Magicicada (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) feed? Historical perspectives and evidence from molecular gut content analysis. Journal of Insect Science, 23(5), 13.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/iead082
Miller, F., & Crowley, W. (1998). Effects of periodical cicada ovipositional injury on woody plants. Arboriculture & Urban Forestry (AUF), 24(5), 248–253.
https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.1998.030
Mohanta, T. K., Occhipinti, A., Atsbaha Zebelo, S., Foti, M., Fliegmann, J., Bossi, S., ... & Bertea, C. M. (2012). Ginkgo biloba responds to herbivory by activating early signaling and direct defenses. PLoS One, 7(3), e32822.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0032822
Reiter, K. E., Perkovich, C., Smith, K. N., Feng, J., Kritsky, G., & Lehnert, M. S. (2023). Comparative material and mechanical properties among cicada mouthparts: cuticle enhanced with inorganic elements facilitates piercing through woody stems for feeding. Biology, 12(2), 207.
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/12/2/207#
White, J. (1981). Flagging: hosts defenses versus oviposition strategies in periodical cicadas (Magicicada spp., Cicadidae, Homoptera). The Canadian Entomologist, 113(8), 727–738.
