Q.
I found many holes scattered in bare ground at one of the property I maintain. They
are small, perhaps the size of a penny. I have attached a photo and hope you
can help me identify what could be doing this. I don’t want to hurt any
pollinators.
I found many holes scattered in bare ground at one of the property I maintain. They
are small, perhaps the size of a penny. I have attached a photo and hope you
can help me identify what could be doing this. I don’t want to hurt any
pollinators.
A.
It’s mid-July now and I have been hearing the buzz to attract females from male
cicadas since around the first of the month. I think what you are seeing are
emergence holes of cicadas. The immature cicada “grub” lives underground and
feeds on tree roots such as ash.
It’s mid-July now and I have been hearing the buzz to attract females from male
cicadas since around the first of the month. I think what you are seeing are
emergence holes of cicadas. The immature cicada “grub” lives underground and
feeds on tree roots such as ash.
Most people know the 17-year,
periodical cicadas but there are other cicadas which emerge every year. The
cicadas are nicknamed “dog day cicadas”, or annual cicadas, because they emerge
every year during the heat of summer.
periodical cicadas but there are other cicadas which emerge every year. The
cicadas are nicknamed “dog day cicadas”, or annual cicadas, because they emerge
every year during the heat of summer.
That buzzing noise is used to attract females
for mating and eventual laying of eggs. The eggs of cicadas are inserted by
females into slits cut into small tree branches. Sometimes the small branches
die from the damage caused an egg laying combined with the heat of the summer.
for mating and eventual laying of eggs. The eggs of cicadas are inserted by
females into slits cut into small tree branches. Sometimes the small branches
die from the damage caused an egg laying combined with the heat of the summer.
These look like the holes made by antlions…which I have in my backyard.
Thanks for adding your comment. It has been posted. Others should be aware of this good guy if found.