While playing dominoes (I LOVE THIS GAME) in a friend's backyard in NJ a couple of summers ago, we noticed an unmoving Cicada clinging to a nearby tree.
The size of the beetle surprised me so I snapped a shot of it. This photo does not do the insect any justice.
The size of the beetle surprised me so I snapped a shot of it. This photo does not do the insect any justice.
Imagine my shock, though, when I realized, at least half an hour later that the insect was literally climbing out of its shell!
Fascinated, I snapped more photos of the shedding Cicada; but, in all honesty, I shuddered the entire time that I tried to get the perfect photo. As amazing as seeing such a natural experience unfold before me was, I was still grossed out by the Cicada's large eyes and legs. (Yes, yes, I know that as a mom, I am going to have to get used to dealing with bugs. AHHHH! It still weirds me out that my sister and I used to catch fireflies when we were younger.)
In researching the beetle (it took me HOURS to find it), I found that the Cicada truly is an interesting creature. A mature Cicada has wings! (I expect Equis to appreciate nature.)
To learn more about Cicadas and see time sequence photos of a mature Cicada molting, click here.
Fascinated, I snapped more photos of the shedding Cicada; but, in all honesty, I shuddered the entire time that I tried to get the perfect photo. As amazing as seeing such a natural experience unfold before me was, I was still grossed out by the Cicada's large eyes and legs. (Yes, yes, I know that as a mom, I am going to have to get used to dealing with bugs. AHHHH! It still weirds me out that my sister and I used to catch fireflies when we were younger.)
In researching the beetle (it took me HOURS to find it), I found that the Cicada truly is an interesting creature. A mature Cicada has wings! (I expect Equis to appreciate nature.)
To learn more about Cicadas and see time sequence photos of a mature Cicada molting, click here.
