This spring these insects, Cicadas, were widely featured by the U.S. media. Why all the fuss? This year the 17-year cicada, a variety of periodical cicada with the longest known insect life cycle, made its appearance in some northern states.
The 17-year cicada is a variety of periodical cicada with the longest known insect life cycle. It has earned its name by making a much anticipated appearance every 17 years, like clockwork. But there are other types of cicadas, which explains the annual "summer song" of the cicada.
Southern Ontario has both two-year cicadas and four-year cicadas. Thanks to staggered life cycles, cicadas annually burst upon the scene. Embracing adulthood, a cicada bursts out of its exoskeleton and leaves the empty shell behind, which curious children often find and bring home.
This empty carapace, a childhood treasure, was saved by one of my grandchildren a few weeks ago and placed into a china cabinet for display. Ugh! With no kids about, the time seemed right today to give the empty casing a proper send off. Bye!
1 comment:
They look alien.
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