Will Cicadas Eat Boxwoods

Cicadas do not eat boxwoods.
 
If you have noticed damage on your boxwoods during a cicada emergence, it is likely from egg-laying, not from the cicadas eating the plant.
 
Many homeowners ask will cicadas eat boxwoods every summer, and the answer remains the same.
 
In this post, we will explore why cicadas do not eat boxwoods, what kind of harm they can cause, and how you can protect your shrubs.
 
Let’s dive into the truth about cicadas and boxwoods.
 

Why Cicadas Do Not Eat Boxwoods

Cicadas Feed on Tree Sap, Not Leaves

Cicadas are sap feeders, meaning they use their piercing mouthparts to drink sap from the stems and twigs of woody plants.
 
They do not have chewing mouthparts like caterpillars or beetles that would allow them to eat solid leaf tissue.
 
So when you ask will cicadas eat boxwoods, the answer is no because their anatomy is simply not designed for eating leaves.
 
Boxwood leaves are tough and contain alkaloids that are unappealing to sap-feeding insects.
 
So do cicadas eat boxwoods? No, they are incapable of it.
 

Cicadas Prefer Specific Tree Species

Cicadas are known to favor deciduous trees like oaks, maples, and fruit trees for feeding and egg-laying.
 
Boxwoods are evergreen shrubs with a different texture and sap composition that generally does not attract cicadas.
 
It is very rare for cicadas to heavily infest boxwoods, and when they do, it is usually only on the youngest, greenest twigs.
 
So will cicadas eat boxwoods? Not in any significant way that threatens the plant’s health.
 
You will not find cicadas feeding on boxwoods in your garden.
 

Cicadas Do Not Target Boxwoods Specifically

During a mass emergence, periodical cicadas may land on any plant, but they do not specifically seek out boxwoods.
 
The damage you might see on boxwoods is typically accidental or a result of cicadas using the twigs for egg-laying.
 
Cicadas are not boxwood pests like the boxwood leafminer or boxwood psyllid.
 
Will cicadas eat boxwoods? Only if you consider sap-sipping as eating, but that is not typical.
 

What Harm Can Cicadas Cause to Boxwoods?

Even though cicadas will not eat boxwoods, they can still cause some cosmetic damage.
 
Let’s look at the specific types of harm.
 

Egg-Laying Damage (Flagging)

Female cicadas use their ovipositor to cut slits into small branches to lay eggs.
 
This process can cause the tips of boxwood twigs to wilt, turn brown, and die.
 
This is called flagging and is the most common cicada-related injury to boxwoods.
 
However, this damage is usually minor and the plant can recover.
 
Flagging is harmless and temporary.
 

Sap Feeding Stress

While cicadas do not eat boxwoods, they may feed on sap from young, tender stems.
 
In very large numbers, this sap removal can stress a small or young boxwood, especially during hot dry weather.
 
But mature, healthy boxwoods are rarely affected because cicadas do not eat boxwoods as a staple.
 
Cicadas cannot eat boxwoods, but they can cause minor sap loss.
 

Secondary Infections

The slits made by cicadas for egg-laying can create entry points for fungal pathogens or other pests.
 
Boxwoods are susceptible to diseases like Volutella blight, so open wounds can be a gateway.
 
Keeping your boxwoods healthy reduces the risk of infection.
 
Prevent infections by maintaining good garden hygiene.
 

What Do Cicadas Eat If Not Boxwoods?

Cicadas Feed on Tree Sap

Cicadas primarily feed on the sap of deciduous trees such as oaks, maples, and hickories.
 
They use their straw-like mouthparts to tap into the xylem of branches.
 
This sap is mostly water with some nutrients, which sustains them during their adult phase.
 
They do not eat any solid plant material, including boxwood leaves.
 

Nymphs Feed on Root Sap

Young cicadas, called nymphs, live underground and feed on sap from tree roots.
 
They spend years feeding on root systems without ever touching leaves.
 
This underground feeding is harmless to mature trees but may affect young saplings.
 
Again, boxwood roots are not a preferred target.
 

Cicadas Do Not Compete with Other Pests

Cicadas do not eat boxwoods, so they pose no competition to leaf-eating pests like caterpillars.
 
Their feeding habits are completely different from traditional garden pests.
 
Understanding this helps you avoid unnecessary treatment.
 

How to Protect Boxwoods from Cicada Activity

Since cicadas will not eat boxwoods but can cause minor damage, you can take simple steps to protect your shrubs.
 
These methods are easy and effective.
 

Delay Pruning Until After Cicada Season

Do not prune boxwoods during a cicada emergence because fresh cuts may attract female cicadas for egg-laying.
 
Wait until the cicadas are gone to trim your shrubs.
 
Avoid all pruning until the cicadas have left.
 

Cover Small Boxwoods with Netting

Use a fine mesh or row cover to physically prevent cicadas from landing on young or prized boxwoods.
 
Make sure the netting is secured at the base so cicadas cannot crawl under it.
 
This is the most effective way to prevent egg-laying damage.
 
Netting is cheap and reusable.
 

Keep Boxwoods Healthy and Watered

Well-watered and fertilized boxwoods recover more quickly from any stress caused by cicadas.
 
A strong plant can seal over egg slits faster and resist diseases better.
 
Healthy boxwoods better withstand cicada activity.
 

So, Will Cicadas Eat Boxwoods?

The answer is no, cicadas will not eat boxwoods in the way that many gardeners worry about.
 
Cicadas do not eat boxwood leaves or stems because they are designed to drink sap, not chew foliage.
 
However, cicadas can still cause minor cosmetic damage through egg-laying and sap feeding.
 
By understanding that cicadas do not eat boxwoods, you can focus on the real risks and protect your plants accordingly.
 
Enjoy your garden with the peace of mind that your boxwoods are safe from being eaten by cicadas.