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The shed husk or molted exoskeleton of an emergent cicada (species unknown). Cicadas live underground as nymphs for most of their lives, at depths ranging from about 30 cm down to 2.5 m. The nymphs feed on root juice and have strong front legs for digging. In the final nymphal instar, they construct an exit tunnel to the surface and emerge. They then molt (shed their skins) on a nearby plant for the last time and emerge as adults. The abandoned exoskeleton remains, still clinging to the bark of trees. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicada
On the leaf of a tree in open (mowed) park land, Lake Springfield Park.
Spotted on Jul 15, 2012
Submitted on Jul 16, 2012
2 Comments
Yes that is what it is
I think this is the exoskeleton of a cicada.