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Description
A Cicada (genus Diceroprocta ?) during its final molt, on a Douglas Fir stump.
Eugene, Oregon
June 7, 2007
(stereo pair, cross view)

The wing veins and legs "dry" to dark brown or black after about an hour. The shed exoskeletons stay firmly gripped onto the surface and serves as platform for drying, complete with "handholds".

"For some time after the Cicada-grub's first appearance
above-ground he wanders about the neighbourhood,
looking for a suitable spot in which to cast off his skin — a
tiny bush, a tuft of thyme, a blade of grass, or the twig of
a shrub. When he finds it he climbs up, and clings to
it firmly with the claws of his fore-feet. His fore-legs
stiffen into an immovable grip.

Then his outer skin begins to split along the middle
of the back, showing the pale-green Cicada within.
Presently the head is free ; then the sucker and front legs
appear, and finally the hind-legs and the rumpled wings.
The whole insect is free now, except the extreme tip of
his body.

He next performs a wonderful gymnastic feat. High
in the air as he is, fixed to his old skin at one point
only, he turns himself over till his head is hanging
downwards. His crumpled wings straighten out, un-
furl, and spread themselves. Then with an almost in-
visible movement he draws himself up again by sheer
strength, and hooks his fore-legs on to his empty skin.
This movement has released the tip of his body from its
sheath. The whole operation has taken about half an
hour.

For a time the freed Cicada does not feel very strong.
He must bathe in air and sunshine before strength and
colour come to his frail body. Hanging to his cast skin
by his fore-claws only, he sways at the least breath of
air, still feeble and still green. But at last the brown
tinge appears, and is soon general. Supposing him to
have taken possession of the twig at nine o'clock in the
morning, the Cicada flies away at half-past twelve, leav-
ing his cast skin behind him. Sometimes it hangs from
the twigs for months. " Fabre's Book of Insects ,
Jean-Henri Fabre, from English edition 1921. French original, 1879 ).

Download for 4700 x 3500 px. version.

Also see a rocking animation of this cicada .

(Thanks to Cosmo for finding this insect.)

Info about its genera and species.

----------------------
There are no restrictions on use of this image. Claiming to be the originator or owner, explicitly or implicitly, is bad karma . A link (if appropriate), a note to markdow30@gmail.com, and credit are appreciated but not required.

Description
A Cicada (genus Diceroprocta ?) during its final molt, on a Douglas Fir stump.
Eugene, Oregon
June 7, 2007
(stereo pair, cross view)

The wing veins and legs "dry" to dark brown or black after about an hour. The shed exoskeletons stay firmly gripped onto the surface and serves as platform for drying, complete with "handholds".

"For some time after the Cicada-grub's first appearance
above-ground he wanders about the neighbourhood,
looking for a suitable spot in which to cast off his skin — a
tiny bush, a tuft of thyme, a blade of grass, or the twig of
a shrub. When he finds it he climbs up, and clings to
it firmly with the claws of his fore-feet. His fore-legs
stiffen into an immovable grip.

Then his outer skin begins to split along the middle
of the back, showing the pale-green Cicada within.
Presently the head is free ; then the sucker and front legs
appear, and finally the hind-legs and the rumpled wings.
The whole insect is free now, except the extreme tip of
his body.

He next performs a wonderful gymnastic feat. High
in the air as he is, fixed to his old skin at one point
only, he turns himself over till his head is hanging
downwards. His crumpled wings straighten out, un-
furl, and spread themselves. Then with an almost in-
visible movement he draws himself up again by sheer
strength, and hooks his fore-legs on to his empty skin.
This movement has released the tip of his body from its
sheath. The whole operation has taken about half an
hour.

For a time the freed Cicada does not feel very strong.
He must bathe in air and sunshine before strength and
colour come to his frail body. Hanging to his cast skin
by his fore-claws only, he sways at the least breath of
air, still feeble and still green. But at last the brown
tinge appears, and is soon general. Supposing him to
have taken possession of the twig at nine o'clock in the
morning, the Cicada flies away at half-past twelve, leav-
ing his cast skin behind him. Sometimes it hangs from
the twigs for months. " Fabre's Book of Insects ,
Jean-Henri Fabre, from English edition 1921. French original, 1879 ).

Download for 4700 x 3500 px. version.

Also see a rocking animation of this cicada .

(Thanks to Cosmo for finding this insect.)

Info about its genera and species.

----------------------
There are no restrictions on use of this image. Claiming to be the originator or owner, explicitly or implicitly, is bad karma . A link (if appropriate), a note to markdow30@gmail.com, and credit are appreciated but not required.