Use of tree species by three species of Magicicada (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) in an Appalachian forest

Abstract

Periodical cicadas (Magicicada spp.) are endemic to deciduous forests in the eastern United States. In successional forests, they must partition resources such as host trees to coexist. We measured tree size, emergence holes, oviposition scar bundles, and chorusing center abundances of Magicicada species on 12 common tree species in a deciduous forest to understand host-tree use. We predicted that the abundance of periodical cicadas and use of specific host-tree species would change depending on the Magicicada species and tree life stage. We considered the size of the tree (diameter at breast height) as a covariate to control for tree size and collected eggs for a greenhouse experiment to assess whether nymphs prefer to feed on Quercus rubra or Acer saccharum. More emergence holes were found below Quercus species than any other tree species. The abundance of periodical cicadas on host trees used for chorusing centers varied depending on the Magicicada species, but were most abundant on Quercus species. Oviposition scar bundles were also more frequent on Quercus. More nymphs were found on Quercus than Acer in the nymph preference study. Though periodical cicadas used Quercus hosts more than other tree species, their abundances on different host tree sizes and species differed significantly. Periodical cicada species may use specific host species and life stages as a way to partition resources and minimize competition among the Magicicada species during emergence years.