Eight-spotted cicada

Platypleura octoguttata belongs to the order Hemiptera, family Cicadidae (singing cicadas). This species is a large insect with a characteristic spotted wing pattern, native primarily to the regions of Southeast Asia. As a typical representative of its family, it possesses a highly developed piercing-sucking mouthpart, which is specifically adapted for feeding on plant sap.

This pest affects a wide range of woody and shrubby crops. Fruit trees, ornamental species, and several types of valuable timber trees in tropical forests are most frequently targeted by its activity. In intensive agricultural conditions, this cicada can cause significant damage to plantations, leading to a noticeable decline in the overall yield and vitality of the crops.

The biology of the species follows the typical pattern for cicadas: the life cycle consists of the egg, nymph, and adult stages. Nymphs develop underground, feeding on tree root sap for an extended period, which makes them extremely elusive and difficult to monitor. Adults live on the aerial parts of plants, actively feeding on the sap of stems and young shoots, while females cause physical damage when ovipositing into the bark.

Damage symptoms manifest as wilting of young shoots, leaf deformation, and general weakening of trees due to constant loss of moisture and essential nutrients. Massive infestations can result in premature defoliation and the dieback of small branches. Furthermore, the oviposition sites frequently act as entry points for secondary fungal and bacterial infections.

Control measures require a comprehensive approach, as eliminating nymphs in the soil is particularly challenging:

• Monitoring adult population levels using light traps and pheromone lures.
• Sanitary pruning and destruction of infested shoots where eggs have been laid.
• Application of systemic insecticides during the peak emergence period of adult cicadas.
• Maintaining high-level agricultural practices to enhance the natural defense mechanisms of trees.