They typically live in forests and areas with open bush, where their left-over nymph skins can be seen on tree trunks and branches during the summer months.
The males produce their cicada sound in unison, which can reach deafening proportions at the height of their population around February.
[6] The adults and immatures of the chorus cicada both feed on xylem sap made from plants.
[7] This type of food makes the chorus cicada a generalist feeder as it has a range of host plants that it feeds on.
An orchard root system provides a good food source for the nymphs which live in the soil.
Males compete with each other to produce the loudest and best musical sound, and sing louder when the weather is warmer.
[7] Female chorus cicadas lay their eggs into thin branches of a wide range of plants.
Once the nymphs have grown to their maximum size they emerge from the ground and climb up tree trunks to molt.
Their median total life cycle length is around four years, this being from egg to a natural adult death.
In the adult stage, cicada are killed by wasps (such as the Vespula vulgaris),[16] birds, spiders and fungal diseases.
Isaria sinclairii is a species of entomopathogenic fungus which can infect the underground nymphs of chorus cicadas.