Cicadas are rich in nutrients and have high dietary value. They also possess significant medicinal value and offer outstanding economic benefits, which have led to the rapid development of their artificial breeding industry. So, what are the cicada breeding techniques? Let's take a look.
Cicada Breeding Techniques
1. Selecting Breeding Trees
Cicada nymphs grow by absorbing the sap from tree roots. Therefore, the chosen trees must have well-developed roots, be vigorous, and have plenty of sap. Suitable trees include fruit trees like apricots, peaches, and apple trees.
2. Handling Breeding Eggs
For large-scale breeding, you can purchase breeding eggs from professional breeding bases. Bundle 50-100 branches with cicada eggs into a bundle, place them in a basin or on the ground, and treat them specially for later use. Each square meter can accommodate 2-3 egg branches.
3. Hatching Techniques
Place the breeding eggs in a hatching room for hatching. Specifically, set up a rectangular plastic tent indoors using bamboo poles. Arrange the branches with cicada eggs side by side on the rack, with a funnel-shaped plastic sheet underneath. Use equipment like heaters and sprayers to control temperature and humidity, and install several lights for illumination. The hatched cicada ants will fall onto the sand tray through the plastic sheet. Perform seeding in the afternoon when the weather is cooler, around 17-18 o'clock.
4. Timely Seeding
Seeding can be done in September-October (for two-year eggs) or June-July (for same-year eggs). Dig a narrow trench about 30-50 cm deep, approximately 1 meter away from the tree trunk, in the host plant area. Cover the trench with soil and compact it after seeding, and keep detailed records.
5. Pest Control
Newly emerged nymphs and newly molted adults face many natural enemies, including toads, snakes, rodents, hedgehogs, wild cats, sparrows, and mantises. Additionally, microbial pathogens like Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, and Isaria cicadae can also pose a threat. Ensure proper protection and control during breeding.
6. Harvesting Techniques
Before cicada nymphs emerge from the ground or before they mature, wrap a smooth plastic film around the tree trunk about 30 cm above the ground to prevent them from climbing up, making it easier to harvest. You can also use a flashlight at night to catch them on the ground or tree trunk or capture freshly molted adults in the early morning.
Conclusion
While cicada breeding has good prospects and high benefits, it is still an emerging industry with not fully mature techniques, and there are certain risks involved. It is essential not to blindly follow the trend but to learn the relevant breeding techniques thoroughly before starting.
How Do Cicadas Breed?
Cicadas are fascinating insects known for their distinctive songs and unique life cycles. Their breeding process is complex and involves several stages, from mating to egg-laying and the development of nymphs. Let's explore how cicadas breed and the steps involved in their reproductive cycle.
Mating Rituals
Cicadas are best known for the loud, often rhythmic songs produced by males during the mating season. These songs are used to attract females and vary between species. The sound is created by vibrating membranes called tymbals located on the sides of the male cicada's abdomen.
Characteristics of Cicada Songs
The mating songs of cicadas have several distinctive features:
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Species-Specific: Each cicada species has its own unique song pattern.
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Volume: Cicada songs can be incredibly loud, reaching up to 120 decibels in some species.
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Purpose: The primary purpose of the song is to attract females for mating.
Mating Process
Once a male cicada successfully attracts a female with his song, mating occurs. The male and female join end-to-end, and the male transfers sperm to the female. This process can last for several hours.
Post-Mating Behavior
After mating, the female cicada begins searching for suitable sites to lay her eggs. Typically, she chooses tree branches or stems for egg-laying.
Egg-Laying
The female cicada uses a specialized structure called an ovipositor to deposit her eggs into slits she creates in tree branches or stems. She lays clusters of eggs in these slits, and a single female can lay hundreds of eggs in her lifetime.
Egg Development
The eggs develop over several weeks, depending on the species and environmental conditions. Once the eggs hatch, tiny nymphs emerge.
Nymph Stage
The newly hatched nymphs drop to the ground and burrow into the soil. They remain underground for several years, feeding on sap from tree roots. This stage can last anywhere from 2 to 17 years, depending on the species.
Nymphal Development
During their time underground, cicada nymphs go through several molts as they grow. They eventually emerge from the soil as mature nymphs ready to molt into their adult form.
Emergence and Molting
When the nymphs are ready to become adults, they emerge from the ground, usually in large numbers. They climb onto trees or other structures and undergo a final molt, shedding their exoskeleton to reveal their adult form.
Adult Stage
Adult cicadas have a short lifespan, typically living for only a few weeks to a couple of months. During this time, their primary focus is on mating and continuing the life cycle.
Conclusion
Cicadas have a unique and intricate breeding process that involves distinct stages of mating, egg-laying, nymphal development, and emergence. Their life cycles can span several years, with the majority of their lives spent underground as nymphs. Understanding their breeding habits provides insight into the fascinating world of these remarkable insects.
What Is the Cicada Mating Ritual?
Cicadas are known for their loud, distinctive calls that fill the air during the summer months. These calls play a crucial role in the cicada mating ritual, which is a fascinating process involving sound, movement, and timing. Let's delve into the details of the cicada mating ritual and understand how these insects find and attract their mates.
The Role of Sound in Cicada Mating
The most notable aspect of cicada mating rituals is the male's call. Male cicadas produce loud, rhythmic sounds using specialized structures called tymbals, located on the sides of their abdomens. These calls serve to attract females and are a key component of the mating process.
Types of Calls
Male cicadas produce different types of calls, each serving a specific purpose:
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Calling Song: This is the loudest and most prolonged song used to attract females from a distance.
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Courtship Song: Once a female is nearby, the male switches to a softer, more intricate song to court her.
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Distress Call: If disturbed or threatened, males emit a harsh sound to ward off predators or rivals.
Female Response and Selection
Female cicadas play an active role in the mating ritual by selecting their mates based on the males' calls. They listen to the calls and move towards the source of the most attractive and suitable song. The selection process is crucial for ensuring the propagation of strong and fit offspring.
Criteria for Selection
Females typically consider several factors when choosing a mate:
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Volume and Clarity: Louder and clearer calls are more attractive to females.
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Rhythm and Pattern: The complexity and regularity of the song can indicate the male's fitness.
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Consistency: Persistent and continuous calling can demonstrate the male's stamina and health.
The Mating Process
Once a female selects a male, the mating process begins. The male approaches the female and engages in a series of movements and additional calls to ensure her acceptance. If the female is receptive, mating occurs.
Steps in the Mating Process
The mating process involves several steps:
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Approach: The male cautiously approaches the female while continuing to produce soft courtship calls.
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Interaction: The male and female may engage in antennal contact and other tactile interactions.
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Copulation: If the female is receptive, copulation occurs, during which the male transfers sperm to the female.
Post-Mating Behavior
After mating, female cicadas lay their eggs in tree branches or other suitable locations. The eggs hatch into nymphs, which drop to the ground and burrow into the soil, where they will remain for several years before emerging as adults to repeat the cycle.
Egg-Laying and Development
Here are some key aspects of the post-mating phase:
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Egg-Laying Sites: Females choose sites that provide protection and suitable conditions for their offspring.
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Nymph Stage: Cicada nymphs spend several years underground, feeding on root sap before emerging as adults.
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Emergence: After completing their development, nymphs emerge from the ground, molt, and begin the adult phase of their life cycle.
Conclusion
The cicada mating ritual is a complex and fascinating process involving acoustic communication, careful selection, and intricate behaviors. Understanding this ritual provides insight into the reproductive strategies of these remarkable insects and highlights the importance of sound and timing in their life cycle.
