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Last Molt

The cicada has a partial metamorphosis during its last molt after it leaves its underground home of up to 17 years. At this final stage of life, the cicada sheds its exoskeleton for the last time, emerging with its first and only set of wings . To do this, it must find an upright perch to facilitate crawling out of the exoskeleton, leaving behind the lining of its trachea as well, and hanging vertically while its wings unfold.

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Uploaded on September 7, 2025
Taken on August 31, 2025