Cicadas 101
About Cicadas 101 News Category
Ever wonder how cicadas feed? What about how to tell a male cicada from a female? In Cicadas 101, these types of subjects are discussed. From cicada biology and distribution, to behaviors and systematics. Read the individual articles and feel free to ask a question or leave a comments in the form provided below each article and enjoy.
When Ecdysis in Cicadas goes wrong.
I'd like to discuss in depth about the cicada's final molting process. While not unusual, as most arthropods go through a molting process in one form or another, the mechanics of the process (also known as "ecdysis") is quite fascinating.
About cicadas and their development cycle.
Female cicadas lay eggs in thin branches of trees and bushes. The type of species usually is indicative of whether the branches are live or dead wood. Some genera - like Tibicen females - generally lay their egg
Date Posted: 2012-02-05 Comments: (7)
Cicada Sexual Development
Once a 5th Instar nymph molts into a full adult Cicada, they are not yet ready to reproduce. It would seem that several criteria, which I have noted have to take place first.
Post-Teneral Stage - Cicadas have to develop into a fully hardened adult from the teneral stage which is the point directly after the molt process. This process takes several hours (see the section on Cicada Molt Process for more information).
Waxy Buildup (Pruinosity development) - Once they
Date Posted: 2010-06-03 Comments: (1)
How Adult Cicadas Feed
Back in the 1970's when I discovered my first cicada and started reading up on them, books of that era made note of the fact that Cicadas did not feed when they were adults. Their sole primary function when living above ground was to perpetuate the species by reproduction as their life span as adults was 7 to 10 days maximum. This of course was later proved to be false.
In fact, Cicadas do indeed feed above ground. Cicadas have a unique mouth part for feeding known as a beak. It is a stylus
Date Posted: 2010-06-03 Comments: (4)
Adult Cicada Defenses
As an adult, Cicadas can rely on several defense mechanisms in order to aid in their survival.
Predator Foolhardiness - Unlike Periodical Cicadas which rely on predator foolhardiness to survive, Tibicen Cicadas are the exact opposite. The slightest sense of danger from a predator will send them flying off in a flash. If you happen upon a male, in some instances a brief alarm squawk may be heard just prior to it taking flight.
What is believed to help Tibicen Cicadas in detecting pr
Date Posted: 2010-06-03 Comments: (7)
Cicada Emergence
Tibicen Cicadas take anywhere from two to nine years to go from a 1st instar nymph to the 5th and final instar stage. All this happens below-ground and in total darkness, can you believe it? Cicadas emerge from the ground in their final stage of development known as the 5th instar stage. After fighting it's way through the soil, the Cicada's primary concern is to find a safe place to carry out it's final molt into adulthood. This is usually done by climbing the nearest tree which ends up bei
Date Posted: 2010-06-02 Comments: (1)