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Cicada Nymph Mortality

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Cicada Nymph Mortality

Cicada nymph mortality

Despite the difficulties that a cicada nymph may experience during it's juvenile developement below ground, there are still some predatory issues that a nymph faces just looking for a place to molt. The thumbnail to the right demonstrates this. As you can see, the Tibicen canicularis pictured was set upon by a colony of black ants. This was due to the Cicada being stressed during it's the process of molting and was unsuccessful in it's completion. The ants, in nature's glorious design, took the stressed Cicada as an opportunity for an easy meal.

The Hazards of Life Above-ground.

Though I have not seen instances of this, it has been reported that Cicada nymphs can fall prey to various other ground-predators like spiders and snakes. Here's hoping I can witness this some time.

A Tibicen Canicularis nymph being preyed upon by black ants.In addition, on one visit to my favorite hunting area, I noticed a T. canicularis nymph on a pine tree that was missing it's head. There was a wasp attached to it biting pieces of it's head off and flying off with them. I noticed this for an hour. It is unclear if the wasp attacked the Cicada mid-molt or noticed the Cicada was stuck and also took advantage like the ants. Unfortunately, at the time I observed this, I forgot all about my camera in order to take pictures.

Decimated Cicada NymphsIt should also be noted that I have seen instances of decimated nymphs (approximately 20 - 30) under an ash tree. These nymphs look like they were regurgitated as if they didn't agree with the predator that ate them. It was a horrendous site click the thumbnail to the left to witness the carnage.

Date Posted: 2010-06-02 Comments: (1) Show CommentsHide Comments

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Posted By: Monica | On: 2013-08-05 | Website:

Do you think that it is possible for nymphs to drowned? During the Brood II emergence this spring I observed (and collected) several nymphs that did not molt, nor where they attacked in a any way that I could see. Simply dead lying on the ground. Thank you so much for your page, I LOVE Cicada's and wish someone had apage klike this for the Pennsylvania area.

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