green grocer cicada

Description:

Large, friendly bug.

Habitat:

Undergrowth, near and on trees.

Notes:

In the front garden I heard a buzzing, whirring sound like clockwork. I turned back to find a cicada struggling to right itself on the concrete. Naturally I picked it up gently and it made itself very comfortable indeed - so much so that I went inside with him to get my camera and out again to take these shots. The three reflective dots on his head seemed a lot like eyes but they are clearly quite different from the prominent compound eyes. Some later research revealed that they are dorsal ocelli (oh-sell-ee). They are a 'simple' - as opposed to compound - eye on the top of the head. These ocelli are very light sensitive and quick, and it is theorised that they allow flying insects to maintain stability in flight. He required much persuasion to get off my hand and onto the magnolia tree. After attempting to move him to my left hand I noticed he preferred to move backward rather than be prodded forward thus - success! I hope he fares alright. His rumpled wing edges might be why he struggled a bit.