Brown annual cicada

The brown annual cicada (Graptopsaltria) is a member of the order Hemiptera, belonging to the family Cicadidae. Native to East Asian countries, this insect is well-known for its distinctive song and its impact on woody plants in both wild and cultivated orchard environments.

This pest affects a wide range of horticultural crops and ornamental trees. Its primary targets include stone and pome fruits such as apples, pears, and peaches. The presence of high populations can significantly affect the health and physiological condition of trees in productive orchards.

The life cycle is characterized by a significant subterranean larval stage. Adult females insert their eggs deep into the twigs of trees, often causing physical damage to the wood. Once hatched, the nymphs drop to the ground and burrow into the soil, where they spend several years feeding on xylem sap from the roots before emerging as adults.

The damage caused by Graptopsaltria is two-fold. Firstly, oviposition damage on twigs can lead to terminal dieback, reduced vigor, and structural weakness of the canopy. Secondly, the nymphs deplete root resources underground, which causes general tree decline, especially in younger or stressed saplings.

Integrated management strategies for controlling this pest include:

• Mechanical removal and destruction of infested branches to eliminate egg clutches.
• Deployment of light traps during the adult emergence phase to suppress mating success.
• Application of targeted insecticides when populations reach economic threshold levels.
• Implementation of cultural practices that improve soil health and increase overall tree resistance.