Can Cicadas Lay Eggs in Your Skin? Debunking the Myth

Cicadas, the noisy insects that emerge in large numbers every few years, might have you wondering if they pose any risks to humans. One question that often arises is whether these creatures can lay their eggs in our skin. The simple answer is no, cicadas do not lay their eggs in human skin.

After mating, female cicadas seek out young, tender branches on trees to lay their eggs. They use a sharp, knife-like structure on their abdomen to cut a slit in the branch and deposit the eggs inside it Cicada Life Cycle. This behavior is specifically adapted to their unique reproductive cycle and doesn’t involve humans as hosts.

Though cicadas are not harmful to humans or pets, they can still cause damage to young trees and shrubs when laying eggs Cicadas | US EPA. It’s important to be mindful of their presence in your area to protect your garden if necessary.

Can Cicadas Lay Eggs in Your Skin?

Insects and Human Skin

Cicadas are harmless insects, often known for their distinct sound. These creatures do not possess any sting or bite mechanism, making them incapable of hurting humans. Their primary purpose is to mate and lay eggs on tree branches.

Female cicadas lay eggs in young, tender tree branches using a knife-like structure on their abdomen. They are not attracted to human skin and do not pose any threat as they seek entirely different environments for egg-laying.

Comparing cicadas with other insects:

Insects	Sting/Bite	Dangerous to Humans	Lay Eggs in Human Skin	Primary Habitat
Cicadas	No	No	No	Trees/Plants
Mosquitoes	Yes	Yes	No	Various
Ticks	Yes	Yes	No	Various

To emphasize, cicadas are:

• Harmless to humans
• Not attracted to human skin
• Not capable of laying eggs in the skin

In summary, cicadas are not dangerous insects and have no interest in laying eggs in human skin. Their life revolves around mating, laying eggs in tree branches, and ultimately dying after fulfilling their purpose.

Cicada Life Cycle and Reproduction

Mating Process

Cicadas have a unique mating process where males sing to attract females. They do this by vibrating a membrane on the sides of their bodies. The females respond to the song by flicking their wings, which signals their acceptance of the male.

Egg Laying and Nymphs

After mating, female cicadas lay eggs in slits they make on tree branches. The eggs hatch into nymphs after six to seven weeks, then they fall to the ground and start living underground. As nymphs, they feed on sap from plant roots and molt their exoskeleton multiple times, growing larger with each molt. They spend 2-5 years underground as nymphs before emerging as adults to start the mating process again ¹.

Periodical and Annual Cicadas

Cicadas are classified into two main types: periodical cicadas and annual cicadas². Here’s a comparison table for easy reference:

Feature	Periodical Cicadas	Annual Cicadas
Emergence Cycle	Every 13 or 17 years	Every year
Appearance	Black with red eyes/legs	Green or black
Broods Size	Contains thousands	Smaller groups
Mating Strategy	Mass synchronized emergence	Individual emergence

Periodical cicadas are usually part of large broods that emerge in substantial numbers after 13 or 17 years underground. They often have a synchronized emergence, which overwhelms predators and ensures the survival of their species³. Annual cicadas, on the other hand, emerge every year and are more limited in numbers.

In summary, cicadas have a fascinating life cycle and reproduction process that includes unique mating habits, egg-laying methods, and differing emergence patterns between periodical and annual cicadas.

Geographical Distribution and Types of Cicadas

Brood X: Eastern U.S. and Midwest

Brood X, also known as the Great Eastern Brood, is one of the most prominent broods of periodical cicadas in North America:

• Found in 15 Eastern U.S. states
• Occurs every 17 years

States affected by Brood X include Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Other Prominent Broods of Cicadas

• Brood XIII: Occurs every 17 years in Iowa and Wisconsin
• Brood XIX: Occurs every 13 years and can be found in states like Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and South Carolina

Cicadas vs locusts and grasshoppers:

• Cicadas are not closely related to locusts or grasshoppers
• Locusts and grasshoppers are part of the order Orthoptera, while cicadas are part of the order Hemiptera

Cicadas Around the World

Cicada species are found worldwide, except in cold regions such as Antarctica:

• Over 3,000 cicada species worldwide
• Annual and periodical cicadas can be found on every continent except Antarctica

Notable locations:

• North America: Home to the periodical cicadas with the 13 and 17-year life cycles
• India: Many cicada species are found in tropical and subtropical regions

Type	Cicadas	Description
Periodical	Brood X	Eastern U.S. & Midwest, every 17 years
Periodical	Brood XIII	Iowa & Wisconsin, every 17 years
Periodical	Brood XIX	Southern U.S., every 13 years

Cicadas and Their Impact on Humans and Nature

Cicada Sounds and Loudness

Cicadas are known for their distinctive loud sounds. Male cicadas create these noises by vibrating a membrane on the sides of their bodies. To give you an idea of how loud they can be:

• Decibel levels of cicadas can reach up to 100 dB!
• This is similar to the noise level of a motorcycle or a lawnmower.

Interaction with Plants

Cicadas interact with plants in several ways:

• Female cicadas lay eggs in tree branches by making slits and depositing the eggs there.
• When the larvae hatch, they fall to the ground and burrow into the soil to feed on plant fluids from plant roots.
• This lifecycle can affect trees, shrubs, and other plants in their vicinity.

Effect on Predators and Prey

Periodical cicadas play a role in ecosystem dynamics:

• They serve as food for various predators, including birds, mammals, and other insect-eating animals.
• Their emergence in large numbers can lead to an increase in predator populations.
• Conversely, the absence of cicadas during the majority of their life cycle (spent underground) may lead to a decrease in predator populations.

In summary, cicadas have noticeable effects on both humans and nature, particularly through their loud sounds and unique interactions with plants and predators. While they may seem like a nuisance, cicadas provide valuable insights into the workings of ecosystems and are a critical event for understanding ecological changes, particularly in the Eastern U.S. and Midwest regions.

Myth Debunking and Real Skin-Related Insects

Cicadas vs. Other Insects That Affect Human Skin

Cicadas are often misunderstood due to their loud mating calls and large size. However, they do not pose any threats to human skin. Cicadas lay eggs in branches of trees, not people’s skin. Their mandibles are not strong enough to penetrate human flesh.

On the other hand, insects such as mosquitos, mites, jiggers, and fleas affect human skin. These insects can cause various issues ranging from itchiness and rash to more severe problems like scabies. Here is a comparison table for Cicadas and other skin-affecting insects:

	Cicadas	Skin-affecting Insects
Mandibles	Weak	Strong
Bites	No	Yes
Affects	Live tree branches	Human skin
Symptoms	N/A	Itching, rash, scabies

Precautions and Treatments for Insect Invasions

• Wear protective clothing outdoors
• Use insect repellent
• Install screens on windows
• Regularly check for insect infestations

Examples of treatments to ease symptoms caused by skin-affecting insects include:

• Anti-itch creams
• Calamine lotion
• Oral antihistamines
• Anti-inflammatory medication

In severe cases, like scabies, stronger medication and specialized topical treatments are necessary. Always consult with a medical professional for accurate diagnosis and treatment of insect-related skin problems.

To summarize, cicadas do not lay eggs in human skin, and their mandibles are not strong enough to bite. Other insects, like mosquitos, mites, jiggers, and fleas, are real skin-related issues, and proper precautions should be taken to avoid complications.

Fascinating Cicada Facts

Unique Appearance Features

Cicadas are known for their distinct features. Some characteristics include:

• Fly-like appearance: They are often mistaken for flies due to their size and shape.
• Wings: Cicadas possess transparent wings, spanning more than twice their body length.
• Color: These insects have a predominantly black body with green markings on the thorax.
• Red eyes: A striking feature of cicadas is their large, bright red eyes.

Additionally, the male cicada has a unique structure responsible for producing its characteristic loud noises.

Entomologists and Cicada Studies

Entomologists have spent years studying cicadas, which are considered insects of significant interest. Such studies have revealed fascinating facts about their behavior, such as the purpose of their distinctive loud noises. For example, it has been found that the loud noise produced by male cicadas is actually a mating call intended to attract females.

In terms of their size, cicadas can vary greatly, though they commonly measure around 1 inch in length. As part of their research, entomologists also study the interaction between cicadas and their environment, focusing on factors including:

• Sex: Mating behaviors and the reproductive process.
• Lifecycle: Nymph stages lasting from 2 to 5 years, depending on environmental factors.
• Pesticides: The potential impact of pesticides on cicada populations.

Comparison of Cicada Characteristics:

Trait	Male Cicada	Female Cicada
Noisemaking	Produces loud calls	Silent
Mating Purpose	Attracts females	Chooses male to mate
Reproduction	N/A	Lays 400-600 eggs

Cicadas, despite their unique features and fascinating life cycle, do not pose any direct threat to humans. It is important, however, to remain informed about these insects and take precautions when necessary to protect the environment and their ecosystem.

Footnotes

1. Cicada Life Cycle
2. Periodical Cicadas
3. Annual and Periodical Cicada

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