What Do Cicadas Eat?

Cicadas are herbivorous insects that primarily feed on plant fluids.

• Xylem sap: This is the primary food source for cicadas. It is the fluid found in the vascular system of plants, which is rich in water and minerals but low in nutrients.
• Phloem sap: Although less common, some cicadas may also consume phloem sap. It is another type of plant fluid that is more nutrient-rich than xylem sap, containing sugars and other organic compounds.
• Tree bark: Cicadas, especially nymphs, can chew on tree bark to access the nutritious sap within.

How do Cicadas Eat?

Cicadas eat by sucking sap from tree roots, stems, and branches. They have a long, straw-like mouthpart called a rostrum, designed for this purpose.

• They pierce plant tissues with their rostrum.
• They suck out the sap, which is their primary food source.
• Adult cicadas may also drink dew for hydration.

What do Cicadas Drink?

Cicadas are insects that primarily sustain themselves by drinking the sap from trees and other plants.

• Tree and Plant Sap: This is the liquid substance that circulates within the tissues of a plant or tree, rich in nutrients and water, which cicadas pierce with their mouthparts to drink.

FAQs about Cicadas

1. How often do Cicadas eat?

Cicadas feed on tree sap throughout their entire life cycle, but the frequency of eating can vary based on their stage of life and the availability of food.

2. How long can a Cicadas live without eating?

Adult Cicadas can survive without food for around a week, but this can differ depending on environmental conditions.

3. What do Larvae Cicadas eat?

Larvae Cicadas primarily consume root xylem fluids from a variety of trees and shrubs.