[IBC] Cicadas on bonsai: a report from the front lines

Nina Shishkoff

Well, OK, I was a little late putting the netting up. I saw the cicadas
laying eggs on my yard trees yesterday, and didn't start protecting the
bonsai until today. But at least I can tell you a little about cicada
egg-laying, because I watched them all morning.

1) Cicadas are very particular about the diameter of the twig they choose:
they like them a little thicker than a pencil. Much thicker than that or
thinner, and they won't lay eggs. The also like long internodes, and
ignor things that are too bushy. They ignored my lion's mane japanese
maple, but went after a regular one with the right diameter twigs.

2) Of all my bonsai, roughly 30 species of trees, they only liked maples
and Stewartia. Boy, they REALLY liked Stewartia. Happily, it was a tree
I was considering for use as a bonsai, once I had pruned back all the
tips. Well, the cicadas were glad to help. So basically, not much harm
done.

3) Man, that's some ovipositor! It's like an exacto knife! Do not
underestimate the damage one female cicada can do. I have orchard trees in
the front yard, and they are really mangling the apple tree. They aren't
as interested in peaches, pears, or crabapples.

If you want to see my cicada pictures (including pics of egg-laying) go to:

http://manticore.us/cicadas.html

and keep hitting "next" until you are bored.

Nina, all out of netting.

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