Cicada as a food for mammals: a global review and implications for mammal behaviour and populations

Cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) are among the most important insect prey for many vertebrate predators, including birds and mammals, owing to their large size and high nutritional value. Although the ecological roles of cicadas as prey for birds have been well documented, the interactions between mammals and cicadas are relatively unknown. Here, I summarize the published literature on cicada consumption by mammals worldwide and review the ecological roles of cicadas in the behavior, population, and community of mammals. I found 88 records from 62 papers published between 1937 and 2023 across all continents (except the Para‐Arctic). A total of 56 mammalian and 16 cicada species were included. The most reported predator order was Carnivora, followed by primates, and then Chiroptera. The highest recorded cicada genus was the periodical cicada ( Magicicada spp.), well‐known as the primary prey for insectivorous birds during their mass emergence years. Based on the literature, I propose five types of hunting strategies explaining how mammals prey on cicadas across both the nymphal and adult stages. Next, I summarize the behavioral and population responses of mammalian predators to cicada emergence and the role of cicadas in mammalian communities. Finally, the ecological functions of cicadas as prey in a changing world are discussed. Future research should address the behavioral and population‐level responses of mammalian predators to changes in cicada availability and phenology.