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Cicadas and Their Effect upon Soil Genesis in Certain Soils in Southern Idaho, Northern Utah, and Northeastern Nevada
Author(s) -
Hugie V. K.,
Passey H. B.
Publication year - 1963
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1963.03615995002700010027x
Subject(s) - loam , soil water , nymph , geology , loess , silt , soil science , ecology , geomorphology , biology
The occurrence, activity and effect of Western species of cicadas on soil formation and their relationship to soil characteristics were studied on 70 semiarid rangeland soils. The distinctive soil structure of some Western soils is attributed to the burrowing of cicada nymphs and has been produced over a long period of time. Filled cicada nymph burrows are called “cicada krotovinas.” Little mixing of soil horizons results from the activities of these insects. A new type of blocky soil structure, “cylindrical,” is proposed to describe cicada‐induced soil structure. Well‐drained, moderately permeable, moderately deep and deep silt loam, Brown and Sierozem soils, formed in loess parent materials, are well suited to cicada nymph activity. Few cicada nymphs or krotovinas are observed in soils with coarse textures, fine textural B horizons, and high bulk density.