Quick answer
Cicadas feed as Herbivore (plant sap), adjusting with season, age, and local prey or plant availability.
Key takeaway
Cicadas feed as Herbivore (plant sap), adjusting with season, age, and local prey or plant availability.
Diet overview
Cicadas (Cicadidae) are best described as Herbivore (plant sap). That label summarises preferred foods, not every item an individual might sample.
How they obtain food
Foraging and hunting strategies reflect anatomy and habitat. Energy-rich foods are prioritised when available; lean seasons force broader diets or longer travel.
Seasonal and life-stage shifts
Young cicadas often eat different foods or receive provisioned meals from parents. Adults may specialise regionally based on what is abundant.
Ecosystem role
As herbivores and seed/plant processors, cicadas influence prey, vegetation, or nutrient cycling.
Human conflict
Do not feed wild cicadas. Habituation raises injury risk for people and animals and can lead to lethal management.
The famous song
Male cicadas produce their loud song using special membranes called tymbals on the sides of the abdomen, which they vibrate rapidly. The largely hollow abdomen acts as a resonating chamber, amplifying the sound, which in some species exceeds 100 decibels. The song is used to attract females, and choruses of many males can fill a summer landscape with noise.
Life underground
Cicadas spend most of their lives as nymphs living underground, where they feed on sap from plant roots. This stage can last from a couple of years to many years depending on the species. When ready, the nymphs dig their way to the surface, climb a tree or stem, and molt into winged adults, leaving behind their empty shells.
Periodical cicadas
Some North American cicadas are periodical, emerging together in enormous numbers after either 13 or 17 years underground. These synchronized emergences flood the area with so many cicadas that predators cannot eat them all, a survival strategy known as predator satiation. Annual cicadas, by contrast, appear every summer in smaller numbers.
Diet and impact
Both nymphs and adults feed on plant sap and cause little lasting harm to healthy plants, though heavy egg-laying can damage young twigs. Cicadas are an important food source for many birds, mammals, and other animals, especially during mass emergences. Their tunneling also helps aerate the soil.
Research notes
Figures for cicadas (Cicadidae) come from field studies, museum records, and conservation assessments that do not always agree on exact averages. Prefer ranges over single-point claims, and check whether a source describes wild, captive, or mixed populations.
Practical takeaways
If you encounter cicadas in the wild, prioritise distance and local guidance. If you care for related domestic or captive animals, match diet and housing to species needs rather than generic pet advice. Share accurate status information (Least Concern) when discussing conservation.
Sources
FAQs
What Do Cicadas Eat?
Cicadas feed as Herbivore (plant sap), adjusting with season, age, and local prey or plant availability.
What is the scientific name of the cicada?
Cicadidae
What do cicadas eat?
Herbivore (plant sap)
Where do cicadas live?
Forests and grasslands worldwide
Are cicadas endangered?
Listed here as Least Concern. Check IUCN and national lists for the latest assessment.