Cicadas are often mistakenly called “locusts” by old wives’ tales according to “Farm Progress” 

Calm and serene the sound of a cicadas Penetrates the rock – Matsuo Basho, Japanese poet (1644-1694)

While watering plants in the yard I felt and heard a buzz at my feet. The poor little guy was injured and thrashing left and right. I picked him up easily and laid him in a pot full of purple heart plants. It seemed fitting. Cicadas don’t eat plants and this one was certainly not up for eating. I grabbed my water mister and carefully provided a touch of water. Cicadas don’t eat; they survive on moisture and plant sap. They have a long, straw-like mouthpart to pierce and drink from plants rather than chewing on leaves for solid food. Cicadas feed on trees and shrub roots, adults sip sap off of twigs and branches. They like Oak trees and Ash trees which surround our home. The next day I stepped out to check on my little cicada and he was gone, hopefully able to fly away. 

Periodical cicadas look like large green insects with black markings and clear wings. They arrive in small numbers every year in Mississippi. While periodical cicadas come in late April through May.  Their numbers will decline toward the end of the month. By mid-June the annual cicadas will gather. They emerge in massive groups with loud noises.  Cicadas are not harmful. They seem to be more afraid of us and as well afraid of birds foraging for a cicadas dinner. 

In hot climates during the peak breeding season, these “singing calls” can extend at dusk and through the night. Adult cicadas live 4-6 weeks above ground hoping to complete their life cycle. Cicadas are not toxic or poisonous to animals. I can only imagine having our cat, Wilhelmina, pouncing on cicadas.

Cicadas cannot destroy the nearby corn fields of Mississippi. While their loud mating songs and swarms can be startling, the corn crops are entirely safe. 

Information provided and posted by Blake Layton, Ph.D. listed online from Entomology Extension Service Entomology Specialist, Mississippi State. 

Another interesting subject since Cicadas thrive in the Middle Eastern countries. In fact, these regions are home to dozens of native annual cicadas. “Many Bible Scholars believe biblical references to swarms of locust may overlap with cicadas in how they relate to the agricultural devastation in the plagues of Egypt or the prophecies of Revelation.    

Cicadas teach us that renewal often comes after a long period of dormancy. – Alexis NiKole

Shannon Bardwell is a writer living quietly in the Prairie. Email reaches her at [email protected].