Cicada exuviae

[Bob_B]

We had an unexpected emergence of 17-year cicadas over the last week. This brood was supposed to stay in the ground as nymphs until 2021 but, for unknown reasons, a portion of these insects has emerged early leaving their exuviae (the remains of the nymph's exoskeleton) on low-lying plants and bushes. (There are hundreds, to give you an idea of their numbers.) I thought it might be interesting to photograph some of these exuviae, and here are early results.

If you're interested in these cicadas, the Washington Post has an article at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2017/05/17/the-giant-bugs-on-the-sidewalks-are-cicadas-that-rose-from-the-dead-4-years-too-early/?utm_term=.2656716a5b9c

Thank you for stopping by. C&C welcomed.

Bob

[Arlen]

Very interesting insects, Bob. And well captured ghostly remains.

[Bob_B]

Thanks Arlen. Indeed, cicadas are pretty cool insects.