<< Previous Next >>

Cicada


Cicada
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3069 W: 231 N: 5841] (19634)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-07
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon Powershot S1-IS
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Costa Rica
Theme(s): Animals of the Rainforest, Beetles and Bugs of the world (Chapter 2) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-05-10 3:28
Viewed: 1829
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I patiently watched this cicada struggle out of its nymph case so I could photograph it. I took this picture at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica.

Cicadas
Tibicen canicularis

Lifecycle

Cicadas spend most of their life underground. It has been suggested that some of the large, common Australian species of cicada may live underground as nymphs for around 6-7 years. This would explain why adult cicadas are much more abundant during some seasons that others, with peaks occurring every few years. The periodical cicadas of North America spend 13 or 17 years underground.

In contrast to that of the nymph, the life of adult cicadas is very short, lasting only a few weeks. After mating, the adult female cicada lays its eggs. It does this by piercing plant stems with its ovipositor (egg-laying spike at the tip of the abdomen) and inserting the eggs into the slits it has made. The eggs hatch into small wingless cicadas which are known as nymphs. They fall to the ground and burrow below the surface. Here they live on the sap from plant roots for a period which may last several years. They shed their skin at intervals as they grow.

When the nymph reaches full size it digs its way to the surface with its front legs, which are specially adapted for digging. It generally surfaces about nightfall in late spring or early summer. The nymph then climbs on to a tree trunk or other object and sheds its skin for the last time. The fully-winged adult cicada which emerges leaves its old empty nymphal skin behind.

Source
LordPotty, Janice, TAZ, carper, liquidsunshine, hummingbird24, phlr, smirnese has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Great capture Manyee.This is like our little grass cicada.Its probably a different one though,because all 40 New Zealand species are endemic.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3417 W: 144 N: 5803] (17209)
  • [2005-05-10 4:29]

Oh, Manyee, I have never seen this before - I've always seen the empty shells, so CONGRATULATIONS on this capture. Good job!

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2395 W: 50 N: 3190] (10896)
  • [2005-05-10 4:47]

Belle et intéressante composition macro-photographique bien réalisée pour cette cigale aux jolies couleurs.
Well Done !

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2167 W: 124 N: 2567] (8208)
  • [2005-05-10 13:55]

oeps it look likes sex in the city, fun,
very good capture Manyee, very good details and the colours are very nice, with the good note very complete, very good job,
gr. Jaap

Great capture Manyee,
Well worth the wait. Like Janice, I've never seen this before, so thank you for this shot.
Well detailed and great colours, thanks for posting

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2306 W: 324 N: 4306] (16850)
  • [2005-05-12 20:02]

Manyee, a great picture. Your patience paid off: excellent colors and composition to depict a great moment.

Good capture, and thank you for being patient so that we could also see this transition.

  • Great 
  • phlr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1277 W: 133 N: 862] (2772)
  • [2005-07-26 11:49]

Just PERFECT!
Wonderful colors!
Perfect sharpness and details!
5* photo!

hi manyee,
good timing!colors and details are great.
thanx for sharing
serhan

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF