Cicada Adventure

A few evenings ago, while jumping on the trampoline, dd found this bug, came running in the house for a jar (which she does for just about every bug that she finds) and captured this little critter. This is a cicada that is getting ready to moult! We put a tea towel to cover the jar so the little guy would have something to hold onto. First the back split open and before we could even get our camera set up, here he went.

Look how tiny his little wings are!

A side version.

A litte farther out.


Now he is holding on with his front feet and the bottom end is completely out of the shell. The remaining shell is probably what you see on your trees, if you have cicadas in your area.


Now check out these wings!


They get bigger and bigger!

In the morning, all of the green was gone and the cicada was a nice rich brown color. We then took him to the garden and let him go.

Interesting Facts about the CICADA

The cicada is considered by some to be the loudest animal on the earth.
There are about 2,500 species of cicada around the globe and many remain unclassified

Cicadas are related to leafhoppers and spittlebugs

In the southern Appalachian Mountains they are known as 'dry flies' because of the dry shell they leave behind.

Cicadas do not bite or sting

Some Cicadas have a 17 year life cycle

A female Cicada lays her eggs in a slit on a branch of a tree

Almost all of their lifecycle is spent under the ground

Adult Cicadas don't eat anything above the ground.

Observing this little creature reminds me of a familiar verse:

O Lord, how manifold are thy works!

In wisdom hast thou made them all:

The earth is full of thy riches.

Psalms 104:24

Blessings for a wonderful day! Suzie