Not even alive! This is the exoskeleton of a cicada, abandoned after molting. If you look at the larger version, you'll see where the cicada had emerged, right from a slit on the back.
I wanted to get a better angle on this but, yeah, I don't have the power of levitation. It was right there, clinging upside down to the underside of a leaf that was way above my head. I struck an awkward pose, stretching my arms up as far as they would go, pushing the lens as near as I could to the exoskeleton, praying that I didn't shake too much from trying to keep the posture while attempting to focus and hit the shutter button at the same time. I felt so silly. XD
Cicadas are related to leafhoppers and spittlebugs. They feed on plant sap. Did you know that cicada are eaten—deep fried—in some parts of the world?
What an amazing eye you have....not even alive! How interesting. I'm hearing them in the trees now and always enjoy their sounds. I'll pass on the deep fried cicada delicacy ;-)
I found one of these on my satyr a couple of weeks ago. Always in interesting find! Wonderful capture, Livia! I don't think I want to eat any though. As always, a great narrative!
Cool find Livia..!
Well I like the angle here, great effort you've done to get this shot!
I'm just wondering about the taste of "cicada" .........Yuk!! XD
hmmm...fried...don't think so! In this neck of the woods we use them as an indicator of heat! When it's hot in the summer the cicadas 'sing'. The hotter it is, the more buzzing we hear!
Great find ... beautifully captured. Awesome color tones on this piece and lovely clarity, Livia. I've seen these before and they are so interesting to see ...I know what you mean about stretching the arms, bending in all kinds of "pretzel" positions ...just to capture the photo. You're always on the mark! And no, I don't think that I'd want to eat one. :)
Great info as usual Livia although you somehow lost my attention at the word "eaten"! This is so cool - you have an incredible knack for spotting minute but fascinating subjects!
We found lots of exoskeltons of the 17 year cicadas this year... everywhere! Looks like this cicada wanted a little privacy when shedding his clothes! Great image!
Another of your excellent macros and the usual wealth of information. I understand that insects are eaten throughout SouthEast Asia. Not something I've tried 8-)
You even capture the dead ones and bring them to life!! i just love this !FAV! sorry i missed a few of your shots i have been so busy will catch up now! :)
@bluefirebucket Super glue? XD I'm clueless. Heh. But I've read that the cicada nymph feeds on root juice, and so has strong front legs for digging in. I would guess that's what it does, before it molts and discards the old skin. Most of their exoskeletons are found like that, clinging to whatever surface they are attached to, defying even the wind and rain. Nature is amazing. 8)
This is a great capture! I had no idea they did that at all, until a few months ago when I saw hundreds of the skins on the ground in a cafe! Might put one up for you :) not that it will compare in quality of course.
A great, big, gripping and steadfast, brightly sunlit "THANK YOU!" to all! I appreciate your encouraging comments. Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by. I am grateful.
where did you acquire all this knowledge about thisese little critters. no I didn't know that some people will eat them. i probably wouldn't even have noticed. gret find again.
What a great capture, Livia. Love the detail and of course your narrative. You write so well. I would skip out on eating one unless it was in food and I did not know it was there.
@bruni I google for information. It's amazing how much I've learned since getting on 365 and taking photos of things I've never considered shooting before. 8)
My brother and I used to collect the exoskeletons (thanks for the new word) in empty milk cartons as kids. The family back yard was huge and the empties were just clinging onto tree trunks everywhere. Nothing says summer like the rubbing of cicada wings at night.
Cicada's have always fascinated me. I don't know if you have Magicicadas, but in America, they're a thing of legend, hated or amazed by most. They spend almost 15 years underground. Then one day, they're everywhere. Last time they came out, we needed to have our window wipers on at all times during driving. The air was blacked with them. Then, about 3 weeks later...they're gone. Poof. As if it never happened. Crazy. Great capture by the way. Great color and lighting
Well I like the angle here, great effort you've done to get this shot!
I'm just wondering about the taste of "cicada" .........Yuk!! XD