Cicada Exuviae

Description:

Cicada Skin in a tree surrounded by ants.

Habitat:

Spotted at Campuhan Ridge Walk, Ubud - Bali.

Notes:

When the eggs hatch, the newly hatched nymphs drop to the ground and burrow. Cicadas live underground as nymphs for most of their lives at depths down to about 2.5 metres. Nymphs have strong front legs for digging and excavating chambers in close proximity to roots where they feed on xylem sap. In the final nymphal instar, they construct an exit tunnel to the surface and emerge. They then moult (shed their skins) on a nearby plant for the last time, and emerge as adults. The exuviae or abandoned exoskeletons remain, still clinging to the bark of the tree.