Got Nature? Blog

Question:
I live in central Indiana and have had no cicadas yet. Are they still emerging or is it safe to uncover my tender trees?

Answer:
If you haven’t seen or heard any 17-year cicadas near your trees yet, there probably won’t be any emerging there this year. You should be safe to take off the netting now, but I’d still suggest learning the signs of cicada egg laying damage and keeping an eye on any trees you’re worried about. The damage typically looks like a row of small holes in the bark connected by cracks (exp. periodical cicada (Magicicada septendecim) but it can vary depending on the species of plant. If you see signs of egg laying damage, you can put the netting back on to protect your trees from any additional injury.

Resources:
Billions of Cicadas Are Coming This Spring; What Does That Mean for Wildlife?, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR)
17 Ways to Make the Most of the 17-year Cicada Emergence, Purdue College of Agriculture
Ask an Expert: Cicada Emergence Video, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension-FNR
Periodical Cicada in Indiana, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Cicada Killers, The Education Store
Purdue Cicada Tracker, Purdue Extension-Master Gardener Program

Elizabeth Barnes, Exotic Forest Pest Educator
Purdue University Department of Entomology