Common cicada

Systematic position. The common cicada (Lyristes plebeia) belongs to the order Hemiptera and the family Cicadidae. This large insect is widely distributed across warm regions, particularly in the Mediterranean basin. As an agricultural pest, it is recognized for its significant impact on perennial crops due to both its larval and adult feeding behaviors.

Target crops and impact. This species primarily affects woody plants, including grapevines, various fruit trees (such as apple, pear, peach, and apricot), and ornamental trees. The pest is particularly problematic in vineyards and orchards where high population densities can lead to substantial economic losses by weakening the overall plant vigor.

Biology and life cycle. The life cycle of Lyristes plebeia is complex and can span several years. Adults lay eggs into the tissues of young shoots, which causes localized damage. After hatching, the nymphs drop to the ground and burrow into the soil. They remain underground for the duration of their development, feeding on the roots of host plants before emerging as adults.

Type of damage. Damage caused by adults involves mechanical wounding of shoots during oviposition, which often results in the wilting and breakage of branches. Meanwhile, the root-feeding nymphs sap the vitality of trees, leaving them vulnerable to drought, secondary pests, and various plant pathogens, eventually leading to stunted growth or decline in mature plantations.

Management and protection. Effective control requires a combination of cultural and chemical strategies:

• Pruning and destroying shoots showing signs of egg-laying to reduce the next generation.
• Tilling the soil beneath host plants to disturb or destroy developing nymphs.
• Monitoring adult flight periods to apply targeted insecticide treatments where necessary.
• Promoting healthy soil and plant nutrition to help trees recover from root damage.