Virginia Foresters: Cicada Outbreak Damaging Trees

Virginia forestry officials report widespread damage to oaks and other trees from this year's arrival of cicadas.

The damage is the result of cicada females laying eggs in the thin-barked outer branches of trees and shrubs, the Virginia Department of Forestry said. The females slice into the branch, then deposit up to 80 eggs.
 
A single female can create about 30 nests, laying as many as 600 eggs, forest health specialist Chris Asaro said.

The egg-laying can cause structural damage known as “flagging.” It is visible across much of the state's Piedmont and coastal plain.

Forestry officials said most medium-to-large trees will not suffer any serious long-term damage.

The department said the good news is an outbreak of this brood of cicada won't occur for 17 years.