Neighbor News
The Cicadas are Coming!
Press Release from Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County
The Cicadas are Coming!
This year, many parts of New Jersey may see large numbers of Periodical Cicadas (also known as ’17-Year Cicadas’) emerge this May and June. These insects have dark, 1½ inch long bodies with red eyes, but are best known for their distinctive rattling mating call.
After maturing in the soil for 17 years, feeding off sap in tree roots, Periodical Cicada nymph populations emerge from the soil together. They locate a tree, plant stem, or other perch to climb, where they attach. Afterwards, they split their exoskeletons and the adult Periodical Cicada emerges.
The females then lay eggs in the branches and twigs of nearby trees. Adult Periodical Cicadas usually do not cause significant harm to trees, but the deposition of eggs can kill the twig in which the eggs are laid.
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There is no need to spray for Periodical Cicadas as many birds and other animals eat them. If you are concerned about your landscape plants, you can protect small trees and shrubs by covering them with an open-weave cloth for several weeks after the cicadas emerge.
If you see a Periodical Cicada and wish to report your sighting, you can download the ‘Cicada Safari’ app from https://cicadasafari.org/. Submitting information through the app helps to confirm the areas where Periodical Cicadas have made their long-term homes.
Find out what's happening in Toms Riverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
For more information on Periodical Cicadas, please check out Rutgers Factsheet FS220, “Periodical Cicadas” at https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs220/.
If you have any questions about cicadas or any garden-related issues, please call our Helpline at (732) 349-1245 or email our office at oceanag@njaes.rutgers.edu.
Rutgers Cooperative Extension is an equal opportunity program provider and employer. Contact your local Extension Office for information regarding special needs or accommodations. Contact the State Extension Director's Office if you have concerns related to discrimination, (848) 932-3703.
Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Boards of County Commissioners. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.
