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Empty Larval Case of a Cicada.

This empty larval case, called an exuviae, is the remains of the exoskeleton of the Cicada insect.

 

Cicada larvae can spend many years underground before emerging and crawling up a trunk or stem or anything else they can climb. They then emerge from their larval case, as an adult, complete with wings, ready to find a mate.

 

The empty larval case is left, still hooked to the trunk!

 

After mating, the female deposits her eggs in the bark of a twig. When the newly hatched nymphs drop to the ground, they burrow and live underground until they emerge and start the whole life cycle again.

 

I will post what emerges from these cases later on today!!

 

Many thanks to all who take the time to view, comment or fav my images.

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Uploaded on September 30, 2016
Taken on September 23, 2016