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17-Year Periodic Cicada
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: John Denk (jpdenk)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 265 W: 1 N: 401]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (1086) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2007-05-25 |
| Categories: Insects |
| Camera: Nikon D70, Micro Nikkor AF60mm f2.8 |
| Exposure: f/16, 1/60 seconds |
| Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2008-02-10 13:30 |
| Viewed: 525 |
| Favorites: 1 [view] |
| Points: 18 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
17 Year Periodic Cicada, Magicicada genus, just emerging from its nymph stage.
Here in the Chicago area, our Brood XIII emerged this past summer, resulting in unimaginable numbers of these large (1-1.5 inch), noisy insects invading the region. Every 17 years, we are treated to the male's cacophonous symphony.
There are 3 species, Magicicada cassini, M. septendecim, and M. septendecula, all very similar-looking, and since the individual in this photo is just emerging from its nymph stage, I can't tell which species it is.
They typically emerge from the ground at night under cover of darkness, emerging from underground where they've passed the last 17 years living on sap that they suck from tree roots. By morning, this individual would have expanded its wings, which are the opaque white and yellow masses on its back in this photo, and would have also darkened in color, its exoskeleton hardening and becoming black with transparent amber wings and red eyes.
They gather in huge numbers to breed, then the females make slits in the bark of nearby trees and shrubs with their sharp ovipositors and lay their eggs under the bark, causing severe damage to some younger trees and shrubs. The eggs hatch, the larvae fall to the ground and burrow in, living there for the next 17 years.
It's thought their mass emergence is a method of ensuring that they will breed successfully, predator satiation. They overwhelm their predators with sheer numbers, said to be as high as 1.5 million insects per acre. |
boreocypriensis, Ena, mariki, jusninasirun, kebapci, marhowie, dejo, mesquens has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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- mariki
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 989 W: 65 N: 2020]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(8423) - [2008-02-11 0:30]
- [+]
Hello John,
Very nice picture of this "newborn" cicada. Very good POV and sharpness. Great colours. I like the wings, it looks like leaves of salad. I do not know why it is so difficult to capture the eyes very sharp, I have the same blur effect with the pictures of cicadella I took.
Cheers,
Mariki
Hello John,
This is one superb macro. Excellent details throughout the image complemented well with the informative note. Contrast and sharpness is well written all over the image with well managed depth.
Well done and regards,
Jusni
Hello John!
Wowwwwwwwwww. This is not only perfect capture! It is also informative friend! You caught the molting time! Great work! Well done! TFS.
Best regards,
Bayram
Happy to see the longest living insect showing up. excellent shot with dark BG
Hello John -
Very nice moment seen as the Cicada emerges.
I did not know that the cicada always emerges upside down, my mistake. I would've removed the workshop this morning myself, but I see you've already taken care of this..
amazing pic and amazing note, TFS Ori
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- Ena
(2341)
- [2008-02-12 1:57]
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Hi,
Very nice and interesting capture!
Good details and POV!
Informative note!
TFS
Ena
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- dejo
(2056)
- [2008-02-12 1:59]
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Hi John,
beautiful moment captured, great close-up, fantastic details and sharpness,
wonderful shot!
Thanks for the note, fantastic, great info!
Dejan
Hi John,
Absolutely fantastic. Marvelous eye from cicada.
Congrat.
Raimundo
