Brood X periodical cicada feeding activity: Direct observation and molecular gut content results

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

1:42 PM – 1:54 PM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 217/218/219

Presenting Author(s)

James Hepler

Postdoctoral Researcher
USDA-ARS
Kearneysville, West Virginia

Co-Author(s)

Tracy C. Leskey

Research Leader/Director, Research Entomologist
USDA-ARS
Kearneysville, West Virginia

Co-Author(s)

LD

Liam Dardick

USDA-ARS
Kearneysville, West Virginia
CD

Christopher Dardick

USDA-ARS
Kearneysville, West Virginia
LN

Laura J. Nixon

Post Doctoral Associate
USDA-ARS
Kearneysville, West Virginia
Michael J. Raupp

Professor Emeritus
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland
Paula Shrewsbury

Full Professor
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland
Rodney Cooper

Research Leader/Research Entomologist
USDA-ARS
Wapato, Washington

In 2021, 17-year periodical cicada Brood X, Magicicada sependecim, M. cassini, and M. septendecula (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) emerged throughout much of the mid-Atlantic region. Based on lingering and false reports in the popular press that adults do not feed, we set out to document their feeding hosts as adults. We used direct observation of adult feeding behavior, identifying plants in which they actively feeding, and collected nymphs and adults for molecular gut content analyses. These results will contribute to clarifying the biology and ecology of one of the most unique and well-recognized group of insects found in North America.