Freshly emerged Cicada nymph

[CosbyArt]

I was flipping over rocks in the backyard to see what interesting insects (or feeders) I could find over the weekend. One that peaked my interest was a emerging Cicada at the end of their 1" round exit tunnel.

Quickly I blocked the inner part of the tunnel and finally got the Cicada nymph captured for some photos. After the photos (about 20 minutes) I returned it to the tunnel and replaced the rock with a support to ensure it was safe (which was easy to tell as the tunnel was at the edge of the rock so I could still clearly see it when I replaced the rock). I thought of keeping it until it molted, but after it's long trip digging I figured I should let it be.

This was the first time I've seen a Cicada emerging from their tunnel and thought it was a great find. In the photos you can clearly see the Cicada covered in damp dirt. Of course I've seen countless empty molted shells, adults, and dead ones - but never one coming out of the ground.

 

[Orin]

It would be neat if either nymphs or adults could be kept easily (they can't).

 

[CosbyArt]

It would be neat if either nymphs or adults could be kept easily (they can't).

That is too bad, it would be a interesting species.

 

[Sticky]

The first picture reminds me of the sad face of a Popa Spurca.

 

[CosbyArt]

The first picture reminds me of the sad face of a Popa Spurca.

After searching images I see it too in the eyes, and even basic head and eye shape/placement. Only thing throwing it off is the strange located palps (or even antennas?). Good catch.

 

[Mantis Man13]

Isn't there a way to keep the nymphs? Why wouldn't you be able to keep them?

 

[CosbyArt]

Isn't there a way to keep the nymphs? Why wouldn't you be able to keep them?

Technically it could be possible, but in reality near impossible. For example the nymphs live in the ground and dig down up to 8 feet, where they suck sap/juices from tree roots, and after 13 or 17 years climb back to the surface to molt into adults. That would be a heck of a habitat to build.

While gathering flies the next day I did see a Cicada adult, I got close to examine as I thought it was a huge horse fly then it flew off. I highly doubt it was the same nymph, but it was rather a nice end to it.

 

[PlayingMantis]

Cool! While I was taking a walk last week, I found a freshly emerged cicada nymph walking on the sidewalk, covered with dirt, just the one in your picture. I feared for its safety, so I picked it up and placed it in a grassy area, where hopefully it'll be fine.

Where I live, there's a particular cicada species that emerges every 17 years and the really cool thing is, they emerge in huge swarms. Last time it happened, I was still in middle school. I remember cicadas flying everywhere, landing on my face, on the sidewalk, cars, windows, etc. And after mating season ended, I remember finding all the carcasses littered all over the ground, including the bodies of the females that lose their abdomen after laying eggs.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Cicadas-Finally-Arrive-in-Va-207233191.html

 

[CosbyArt]

Cool! While I was taking a walk last week, I found a freshly emerged cicada nymph walking on the sidewalk, covered with dirt, just the one in your picture. I feared for its safety, so I picked it up and placed it in a grassy area, where hopefully it'll be fine.

Where I live, there's a particular cicada species that emerges every 17 years and the really cool thing is, they emerge in huge swarms. Last time it happened, I was still in middle school. I remember cicadas flying everywhere, landing on my face, on the sidewalk, cars, windows, etc. And after mating season ended, I remember finding all the carcasses littered all over the ground, including the bodies of the females that lose their abdomen after laying eggs.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Cicadas-Finally-Arrive-in-Va-207233191.html

Nice you found one as well, and even saved it too.

Seems there are some early ones that come out yearly, as I often year their noise in the trees some every later summer almost. Yeah I remember quite a few of the invasions, seems some happen more often then others, but I remember two big seasons. One in particular when I was a kid as I lived in the country and they were everywhere (looked like everything around me was alive and moving for weeks).

 

[PlayingMantis]

Nice you found one as well, and even saved it too.

Seems there are some early ones that come out yearly, as I often year their noise in the trees some every later summer almost. Yeah I remember quite a few of the invasions, seems some happen more often then others, but I remember two big seasons. One in particular when I was a kid as I lived in the country and they were everywhere (looked like everything around me was alive and moving for weeks).

Haha, those invasions are fun. What's really striking about them is their bright red eyes. And I was pretty shocked at the fact that all those bugs flying around were literally older than me at that time. I found that hard to accept.

I've actually never seen the regular ones that come out every year. I can always hear them in the trees, and I love listening to their songs.

 

[CosbyArt]

Haha, those invasions are fun. What's really striking about them is their bright red eyes. And I was pretty shocked at the fact that all those bugs flying around were literally older than me at that time. I found that hard to accept.

I've actually never seen the regular ones that come out every year. I can always hear them in the trees, and I love listening to their songs.

Ha indeed It would be hard to accept the age of them, I don't remember thinking about it when I saw my first though (I was around 10). I did find this Cicada invasion map showing years 1995 on up.

It is a great thing to hear until there become so many it becomes overpowering - but so far haven't yet this year.

 

[MantidBro]

I was flipping over rocks in the backyard to see what interesting insects (or feeders) I could find over the weekend. One that peaked my interest was a emerging Cicada at the end of their 1" round exit tunnel.

Quickly I blocked the inner part of the tunnel and finally got the Cicada nymph captured for some photos. After the photos (about 20 minutes) I returned it to the tunnel and replaced the rock with a support to ensure it was safe (which was easy to tell as the tunnel was at the edge of the rock so I could still clearly see it when I replaced the rock). I thought of keeping it until it molted, but after it's long trip digging I figured I should let it be.

This was the first time I've seen a Cicada emerging from their tunnel and thought it was a great find. In the photos you can clearly see the Cicada covered in damp dirt. Of course I've seen countless empty molted shells, adults, and dead ones - but never one coming out of the ground.

...

Awesome!! Ive wanted to collect and photograph one for quite a while now! So hard to find/catch em.

 

[twolfe]

Interesting find. I don't hear them as often in the summers like I did when I was a kid.

 

[CosbyArt]

Awesome!! Ive wanted to collect and photograph one for quite a while now! So hard to find/catch em.

Thanks, yeah it was the first I saw too.

Interesting find. I don't hear them as often in the summers like I did when I was a kid.

Strange, maybe your area is more urban than it was then? Seems they are out in force like normal here, good or bad.