Neotibicen pruinosus (Scissor Grinder Cicada)

Identification

• Common Name: Scissor Grinder Cicada

• Scientific Name: Neotibicen pruinosus

• Family: Cicadidae

• Appearance: Large cicada (~1.5–2 inches) with greenish-brown to olive coloration, black markings, and a whitish “pruinose” (powdery) bloom along parts of its abdomen.

• Call: Continuous, pulsing “grinding” sound, often heard during the hottest parts of summer afternoons and evenings.

Range & Habitat

• Range: Widely distributed in the central and eastern United States, including the Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri), Great Plains, and parts of the South.

• Habitat: Mixed woodlands, open forests, urban and suburban areas with mature trees; commonly found in oak-hickory woodlands and around edges of prairies with scattered trees.

Life Cycle

• Type: Annual cicada (appears every year, unlike periodical cicadas).

• Nymph Stage: Spends 2–5 years underground feeding on xylem sap of tree roots.

• Emergence: Emerges in mid- to late-summer (July–September), molts into winged adults.

• Adult Stage: Lives 4–6 weeks above ground to mate and lay eggs.

• Egg-laying: Females deposit eggs in woody twigs; nymphs hatch and fall to the ground, burrowing to find roots.

Ecological Role

• Nutrient Cycling: Nymph feeding is minimally damaging but contributes to soil nutrient turnover when adults die and decompose.

• Food Source:

  • Adults and nymphs are a significant protein source for birds (blue jays, crows, flycatchers), mammals (raccoons, squirrels, foxes), and reptiles.

  • Emergence events provide a seasonal food pulse for many predators.

• Soil Aeration: Burrowing activity aerates soil and promotes root health.

• Pollinator Association: While not pollinators themselves, their presence supports food webs that indirectly aid pollinator populations.

Host Plant Preferences

Cicada nymphs feed on sap from woody plant roots—they are not highly specific but favor mature native trees with deep root systems. Supporting them involves maintaining native tree diversity.

Best Native Host Trees (Midwest & Eastern US)

1. Oaks (Quercus spp.)

   • White Oak (Q. alba), Bur Oak (Q. macrocarpa), Red Oak (Q. rubra)

   • Keystone species: host hundreds of other insects and birds as well.

2. Hickories (Carya spp.)

   • Shagbark Hickory (C. ovata), Bitternut Hickory (C. cordiformis)

   • Provide abundant root sap and excellent wildlife value.

3. Maples (Acer spp.)

   • Sugar Maple (A. saccharum), Red Maple (A. rubrum)

4. Elms (Ulmus spp.)

   • American Elm (U. americana) – less common now but highly beneficial.

5. Walnuts (Juglans spp.)

   • Black Walnut (J. nigra) – supports rich soil food web.

6. Native Ash (Fraxinus spp.)

   • White Ash (F. americana) – where emerald ash borer has not devastated populations.

How to Support Neotibicen pruinosus

• Plant Native Trees: Favor oaks and hickories for the highest ecological benefit.

• Allow Leaf Litter & Bare Soil Areas: Nymphs need unobstructed soil to burrow and emerge.

• Avoid Soil Compaction & Pesticides: Cicadas are highly sensitive to soil disturbance and systemic insecticides.

• Create Habitat Variety: Incorporate both large canopy trees and edge conditions for egg-laying.

Conservation Notes

• Populations are generally stable, but local declines occur where:

  • Mature trees are removed.

  • Urban soil is heavily compacted or treated with insecticides.

  • Habitat fragmentation reduces tree diversity.

Key Takeaways

• Neotibicen pruinosus plays a crucial role in summer food webs, nutrient cycling, and soil aeration.

• It depends on native hardwood trees, especially oaks and hickories, for nymph development.

• Maintaining or planting diverse native tree species and minimizing soil disturbance best supports their populations.