Locust Vs Cicada: Similarities And Differences

Though often confused, locusts and cicadas are distinct insects with unique behaviors and life cycles.

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Locusts are infamous for their destructive swarming, causing significant agricultural damage. In contrast, cicadas are known for their periodic emergence and loud mating calls.

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Recognizing the differences between these insects is vital for pest management and appreciating biodiversity.Β 

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Summary:

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  • Locusts and cicadas differ in physical appearance; while locusts swarm and cause major crop damage, cicadas emerge periodically and are known for their loud calls.
  • Both belong to the class Insecta, share herbivorous diets, and have similar life cycle stages.
  • Early settlers mistook cicadas for locusts, a misconception that continues due to cultural and linguistic traditions.
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LocustCicada
OrderOrthopteraHemiptera
Collective NameSwarmCloud or Plague (for periodical emergences)
FamilyAcrididaeCicadidae
Size1 to 4 inches0.75 to 2.25 inches
DietHerbivorous, feeds on various plants and cropsHerbivorous, feeds on sap from tree roots, stems, and leaves
Life SpanUp to 1 yearUp to 17 years
HabitatGrasslands, deserts, agricultural fieldsWoodlands, forests, suburban areas with trees
Life CycleEgg -> Nymph -> AdultEgg -> Nymph -> Adult
DistributionWorldwide, primarily in Africa, Asia, and AustraliaWorldwide, with high diversity in temperate regions
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Difference Between Locust Vs Cicada

#1. Taxonomy

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Locusts belong to the order Orthoptera and the family Acrididae including around 10,000 species of grasshoppers, typically classified under the genus Schistocerca.

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They are known for their swarming behavior and short antennae.

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Cicadas are part of the order Hemiptera and the family Cicadidae, comprising over 3,000 species under the genus Magicicada.

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They are renowned for their periodic emergence and loud mating calls.

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#2. Physical Appearance

Locusts range from 1 to 4 inches in length, with elongated bodies, short antennae, and strong hind legs adapted for jumping.

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Their robust wings and muscular bodies enable them to migrate over hundreds of miles in search of food, often causing extensive agricultural damage.

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Locusts are usually green or brown, blending into their grassy or desert habitats.

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Cicadas have stout bodies and broad heads, ranging from 0.75 to 2.25 inches in size. Their coloration varies from black to brown, with some species exhibiting green or red accents.

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They feature large, prominent eyes and long, transparent wings extending beyond their bodies.

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While capable of flying, their flight is typically short and clumsy, mainly used to move between nearby trees and plants.

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#3. Life Cycle and Development

Locusts undergo a simple life cycle with three stages: egg, nymph, and adult.

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Female locusts lay eggs in the soil, which hatch into nymphs.

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These nymphs, resembling smaller adults without wings, molt several times over weeks to months before becoming winged adults.

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The entire development process can take several months to over a year, depending on environmental conditions.

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Cicadas also consist of egg, nymph, and adult stages but they have a more complex and lengthy life cycle.

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Female cicadas lay eggs in tree branches, which hatch into nymphs that fall to the ground and burrow into the soil.

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These nymphs live underground for several years, feeding on root sap, before emerging as adults.

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The nymph stage can last from two to seventeen years, depending on the species, with the adult stage lasting only a few weeks to a few months.

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#4. Behavioral Patterns

Locusts are infamous for their swarming behavior, where vast numbers gather and migrate in search of food.

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They are diurnal, feeding on various plants and crops causing devastating agricultural damage.

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Cicadas, in contrast, are known for their loud, distinctive singing, produced by males to attract mates.

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They are solitary and feed by sucking sap from tree roots, stems, and leaves. Cicadas are active during the day, with their singing most prominent in warmer months.

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#5. Habitat and Distribution

Locusts thrive in diverse habitats, including grasslands, savannas, and deserts.

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They are found worldwide, especially in Africa, Asia, and Australia, and can migrate long distances to exploit various environments for food.

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Whereas, cicadas prefer wooded and forested areas, they feed on tree roots, and adults emerging to breed and lay eggs in trees.

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They are also commonly found in temperate and tropical regions, particularly in North America and parts of Asia.

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#6. Impact on Agriculture

Locusts have a profound impact on agriculture due to their swarming behavior.

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Their swarms can devastate crops, leading to severe food shortages and significant economic losses.

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Historical examples include the 2004 West African locust plague, which caused extensive crop damage and food insecurity.

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While less destructive, cicadas can impact agriculture during mass emergences. Periodical cicadas, emerging every 13 or 17 years, can damage young trees by laying eggs in branches.

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However, their overall economic impact is minimal compared to locusts.

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Notable cicada emergences, like the 2021 Brood X event in the United States, primarily cause a nuisance rather than significant agricultural damage.

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#7. Communication Methods

Locusts communicate through movement and visual signals, synchronizing their movements during swarming to maintain group cohesion.

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They do not produce significant sounds for communication but rely on collective swarming and migration to interact and survive.

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In contrast, cicadas are renowned for their loud mating calls. Male cicadas produce these distinctive sounds using specialized structures called tymbals.

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Specially, males often use these calls competing in a chorus to attract mates.

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Similarities Between Locust Vs Cicada

#1. Basic Biological Traits

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Both locusts and cicadas belong to the class Insecta, featuring segmented bodies, jointed legs, and protective exoskeletons.

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They possess similar anatomical structures, including compound eyes for vision, antennae for sensing their environment, and specialized mouthparts adapted to their diets.

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#2. Life Cycle Stages

Locusts and cicadas progress through similar life cycle stages beginning as eggs, hatch into nymphs, and undergo several molts before reaching adulthood.

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This process ensures they develop the necessary physical traits to survive and reproduce.

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#3. Feeding Habits

Locusts and cicadas are herbivorous, consuming various plants to sustain themselves.

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Locusts feed on a wide range of vegetation, including crops and grasses, using strong mandibles.

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However, cicadas primarily feed on the sap of tree roots, stems, and leaves using specialized mouthparts to pierce and suck fluids.

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#4. Survival Strategies

Locusts and cicadas can survive thanks to camouflage and defense mechanisms. They use coloration to blend into their environments, avoiding predators.

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Moreover, locusts can rapidly migrate to find food and escape threats, while cicadas have long nymph stages underground, emerging only when conditions are favorable.

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Why Do People Confuse Locust Vs Cicada?

Historical Context

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People often confuse locusts and cicadas due to historical context and linguistic traditions. This initial misidentification has had a lasting influence on terminology.

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Early European settlers in America were familiar with locusts from biblical plagues but not with cicadas.

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When they first encountered swarms of periodical cicadas in North America, they mistook them for locusts, thinking they were witnessing a locust plague.

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Cultural and Linguistic Influence

The term "locust" was broadly used by settlers to describe any large, swarming insect.

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This linguistic tradition persisted over generations, especially in regions where cicadas frequently emerge in large numbers.

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Despite scientific advancements distinguishing locusts from cicadas, the cultural habit of calling cicadas "locusts" remains in parts of American English.

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