Sunday, June 1, 2014

Cicada Exuvia

I found this cicada exuvia when I was in Mexico for a destination wedding. I wasn't lucky enough to find the cicada itself, but I'm always happy to find the empty shell. These empty skin casings can be found clinging to trees where the cicada emerged from its nymphal skin to become an adult cicada. Once they've transformed into a winged adult, they spend some time drying off, and then proceed to the tops of the trees to find a mate. 

You can hear the male cicadas singing from the treetops during the hot days of summer. They sound like a loud, whirring buzz saw. When I was a kid, I used to think their sound was the power surging through the power lines. Lol. 

I'm hoping to find some cicadas this summer, not just their empty skins .... Cross your fingers for me!