Four days ago, I spotted a cicada shell hanging on to a pine tree still clinging to the bark like it had all the time in the world and nowhere to go. You know, the ghostly shell that cicadas leave behind after they finally decide it’s time to go airborne and serenade the neighborhood.
I’ve seen these cicada shells hanging around all summer, but now, the trees that were once covered with them are mostly bare. So, naturally, I started wondering: what happens to these shells? Do they just fall off on their own, or does something come along and eat them?
Autumn Cicada shell on a pine tree – Canon R7, f8, handheld, 1/3200, ISO 800, -1.3 EV, Canon 100-400mm at 400mm, natural light
After doing a bit of digging (not literally), it turns out it’s a mix of both. Weather, wind, and good old gravity eventually knock them down. And if that doesn’t get them, there are birds or even small critters who don’t mind giving them a nibble. Who knew a cicada shell could end up as a snack?
That cicada shell I found, though – it’s like a little snapshot of summer left behind. You can almost imagine the cicada’s escape, wriggling free and heading off to sing those loud, familiar tunes. The shell just sits there, a perfectly creepy reminder of the whole process.
I keep hoping that next summer, I’ll finally get to see one of these guys making their grand exit. It’d be amazing to photograph – or maybe even film – a cicada emerging from its shell. For now, I’ll just have to be content with these leftover shells from the season gone by.
Cicadas are absolutely fascinating insects, and I was delighted by them this year.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my insect and spider photos plus facts and information about them.
A perfectly spooky shot as we near Halloween. I hope that you’ll be able to document their emergence next year!
It is years since I have seen or heard them. They used to be a regular part of our summer. As the warmer months loom I hope to see and hear them this year. And yes, a video of one emerging would be an amazing thing to see.