Emergence in May 2012 of "Brood I" of 17-year cicadas (Magicicada) in Rockbridge County, Virginia.


Emergence in May 2012 of "Brood I" of 17-year cicadas (Magicicada) in Rockbridge County, Virginia. After living underground and feeding from tree roots for seventeen years, millions of the nymphs dig tunnels to the surface, crawl up whatever structure is nearby (tree trunk, grass leaf, car tire) molt into adults. Once their wings unfold and harden, they fly away to breed, leaving their old exoskeletons behind.


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Photo credit: © James McLaughlin / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 17, cicada, emergence, exoskeleton, insect, locust, magicicada, molt, nymph, seventeen-year