On July 19, I noticed this CICADA on a branch of our young Eucalyptus tree. We just had started to make our walk over the trail through the wood garden, with our felines in tow, as usual. At times they think they're doggies...
I went back to get my camera as this was a new and unusual insect to me. Then I did some research and found out about the CICADA MOLTING. Obviously that had taken place already. As much as I'd loved to see it with my own eyes. You find a photo of a Cicada molting below, as the final photo. Also a video from BBCWorldwide, with complete info.
First time ever that I got to see one this close!
Holding the Eucalyptus leave, on which it is hanging, with my fingers.
They have huge eyes... This is the shell, they already have molted.
Did you know that they do live in the ground, sucking the sap of tree roots? They stay there for up to 17 years! Then they emerge. One can tell that this one lived under ground; still dirty!
The Cicada's front legs resemble lobster claws! They're quite hairy too...
Closeup...
Interesting insect!
Here you can see the road and our driveway to the house.
That's the driveway and the huge magnolia tree to the left and the golden oak tree to the right.
We have green grass this summer; due to frequent showers!
 |
| Cicada molting ←click |
Cicada molting where the adult leaves its larvae shell. They will mate and lay eggs and die... Strange life cycle. For excellent explanation on how these creatures emerge from beneath the earth, and how the cicadas emerge from the nymph shell, watch this video: click→ Amazing Cicada life cycle - Sir David Attenborough's Life in the Undergrowth - BBC wildlife
Bet you didn't know this either.
Let me know if you have ever seen them.
I learned that also in Japan they do exist.
we have the annual variety that are here every summer. my dogs like to crunch the ectoskeletons and so catch the green cicadas and toy with them - sometimes they carry them buzzing in their mouths for a while. :)
ReplyDeleteDearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteI was interesting the Cicada after summer time in Japan too.
Even all over the country time it hard to forget about in the HOT Summer weather time.
I understand these day you a taking about your beautiful garden for us.
But someway very good for excellent for us.
Thinking about Mariette!
Michiko
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletedeine Fantasie kennt keine Grenzen.
Einen frohen Sonntag wünscht dir
Elisabeth
We had these in Louisiana when I was growing up -- used to climb trees and catch them or play with their little shells. Hmmm ... I wouldn't do that now. :) Wishing you a lovely day. Tammy
ReplyDeleteDearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteYes, I can see cast-off shellｓ of cicadas many times during the summer. Your pictures are so clear and wonderful! When we don't have air-conditioning, they frequently bothers me with the noise, waking me up early in the morning. haha. We have several kinds of cicadas in Japan. And they have different noises. Sometimes boys love to catch them and beetles making them their summer homework (insect cabinet).
I love to hear the noise of "Tsukutsukuboshi; sorry this is japanese name.”as they appear from the ground late summer (sign of getting cool for us. Hubby really enjoyed the video and hearing the noise, he can tell what kinds of cicada they are p;)
I found the page you can hear the different noise (hehe noisy, if you like to hear)
http://kimoto.cc/ykk/semi.html
It sure is amazing to know that they stay underground SO long and have short life after molting☆☆☆
Can't wait to hear that particular one start to making noise, haha.
Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Nou...ik vind het maar een engerd...
ReplyDeleteIn our country side ,in hot days we can hear their songs !! I love it !!
ReplyDeleteOlympia
Yakkes...doodeng !!!...xxx....ik zou gillend weglopen als ik die tegen kwam...xxx...
ReplyDeleteWe haven't heard many cicadas this summer....lots of peeper and tree frogs though. Memories of childhood!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, it looks like a tiny alien being! How fascinating it is to look at, your photo's are so clear.
ReplyDeleteWe get a lot of interesting bugs here in Florida but luckily, the screened lanai keeps them out of the house!!!
Hello dear friend, catching up on some blog reading while enjoying my little break from posting. Wow it has been a busy time in your gardens!
ReplyDeleteI have not seen this little nature's bug before .. it does have large eyes. Ah Spicy ... you are a brave little one... those nails on that mole look quite sharp ! Glad that you did not get hurt in your hunt.
Mariette, love the photo of Pieter as Tiggy Tiger and Spicy are distracting him... You captured his inquiring look perfectly!!
Our roses were looking much like your photo. The last few days has seen cooler temps and lots of rain ... so they are looking a little healthier and fuller.
Wishing you a fabulous week ahead! Hugs and Love to you both..C. (HHL)
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletedie sieht ja riiiiesig aus! Nein - ich hatte diese Insekten nie zuvor gesehen..., nur gehört, und ich wußte auch nicht, dass sie so lange in der Erde leben...
Herzliche Grüße, Traude
*♥♫♫♥**♥♫♫♥**♥♫♫♥**♥♫♫♥**♥♫
Die kom ik liever niet tegen, maar toch interessant om hem zo van dichtbij even te zien.
ReplyDeleteLieve groet,
Dearest Mariette, The Cicadas are a normal site in the South. When I was little, we would play with the shells. Each of us trying to scare one another. We were hard up for toys I guess. They have different emergence schedules for different kinds. They emerged in Nashville last year and my daughter's dogs had a great time playing with them and eating them. She called the vet since they were eating so many. He told her not to worry it was protein. So funny.
ReplyDeleteLove to you, Ginger
Eeeek! These photos make me very squimish! Yucky bugs! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI hope your week is bug free dear Mariette!
xo Catherine
Dear Mariette, that is one ugly bug! I have never seen one or heard one, at least I don't think so! I hear June bugs and peepers and tree frogs, but no Cicada's. They must live in warmer climates. Hope you are having a wonderful week. xx
ReplyDeleteOhhh,die ogen wat zijn die naar verhouding groot....ik heb hier nog nooit van gehoord en je komt ze hier echt niet tegen hoor...
ReplyDeleteTe koud denk ik...Ik ga even hier bij jou bijlezen....ik heb wat posten van jou gemist de laatste tijd....We hebben veel bezoek gehad de laatste week, familie en vrienden die je niet zo vaak ziet, het was reuze gezellig en mijn laptop heeft ook een volle week rust gehad,maar ik start het bloggen nu weer rustig op.
Bedankt nog lieve Mariette voor je altijd lieve reacties !!! Ik waardeer het bijzonder hoor !!!!
VELE, VELE, Lieve groetjes...ELLY.
Wow cicada molting! You found very beautiful one and your photos are so clear that I can see the detail very well! Yes we do have cicada everywhere in Japan in summer. They stay underground for a long time then spend outside chirping loudly for one summer and die...their life sounds very strange.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment on my blog. I'm happy Barty and Spooky III are both well after having some troubles. I hope Goro's condition will clear soon as well!
Hi Mariette,
ReplyDeleteLiving in Calif. I have never seen this bug...its pretty darn ugly..We get a lot of the german beetle bug it looks like a roach so gross! the german beetle live in the soil and comes out at night. The large tree in our back was also infected, so it had to come down. We lost a lot of trees but have been re-planting. The yards had not been taken care of for years so we have had a lot of work to do.
Our dog used to be our critter catcher..
Have a sweet day, Elizabeth
Bbrrr, krijg al kippevel als ik hem zie....houd niet zo van insecten...
ReplyDeleteMaar mooie foto´s heb je gemaakt!
Groetjes,
Nicole
Great photos. I've never seen anything like this before.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Elna
Absolutely loved this post. Great photos you've taken. We do have these little wonders on our trees everywhere. Fun to see who can collect the most. The kids always love to take them to school for show and tell.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
We also love to listen to them chirping at night. Plus it's fun to try and sneak up on them while they're chirping, but when you get to close they stop chirping. Haha - very clever creatures!
ReplyDeleteOMG ...........they are hugh..........really looks a bit like an Alien ;O) I think, I would not like to have them on my trees that big......
ReplyDeleteHave a happy week,
love and hugs,
Claudia
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletedas war wirklich sehr interessant. Ich habe sie in den südlichen Ländern zirpen gehört, doch nie gesehen. Erst war ich über ihre Hässlichkeit erschrocken, aber das war ja nur die Puppe. Das geschlüpfte Insekt sieht schon ganz anders aus. Ein bisschen wie ein Fabeltier mit den großen Augen und dem durchscheinend zartschillerndem unförmigen Körper. Sicher werden sie noch hübscher, wenn sie fertig getrocknet sind. Ist es nicht ein Wunder!
Liebe Grüße, Johanna