The issue is caused by the periodical cicadas that emerged from the ground in May. They mated, then the females scraped a channel in a small branch to lay their eggs. If too many females used the same branch the twig gets damaged, which causes the leaves to die.
The cicada eggs will hatch in the next few weeks, and the nymphs will fall to
the ground and burrow underground until the reappear 13 years from now.
When I lived in No.VA the last time they appeared it was like it was raining cicadas. Taking the dog for a walk was like a mine field. And the noise!! But we have not seen them here this year and honestly I am not upset.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be upset either!
DeleteThat’s really interesting. Since you had this infestation I looked up to see if we get them here because I’ve never heard or been affected. I was surprised to learn we have 3000 different varieties but they are annual and as the article in the San Jose Mercury News said, “ they’re boring. “
ReplyDeleteI can imagine that many that you had for weeks would do some damage.
I guess every other year we used to go back to visit family in Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee were off years because I never saw them.
It was amazing to me just how limited the periodical cicada range is.
DeleteWow. This is completely new to me (living in northern Canada).
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you have some sort of natural phenomenon that would be new to me.
DeleteI haven't noticed anything yet. I'll have to go out and take a closer look.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on just how many insects you had flying around.
DeleteHere we have a lot of cicadas,
ReplyDeleteespecially in seaside places.
I have paired them with summer and I love them!
Thanks Kathy for the info I found it interesting!!
I love the sound of the summer cicadas (which should be starting in about a month), but the periodical ones are completely different
DeleteGosh, that's amazing!
ReplyDeleteSorry about the trees. Though I confess, I love to hear those bugs sing!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMature trees can bounce back from the problem, but many people covered newly-planted ones with net to keep the bugs out.
DeleteIt's an extraordinary life cycle.
ReplyDeleteI've not heard of anything else quite like it.
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