Cicada Nymph Skin

Skin of cicada nymph.

Immature cicadas are called nymphs. They live underground for 4 to 20 years (depending on the species), sucking the juice from plant roots. When the nymph is fully mature, it climbs a tree-trunk. Then its skin splits open and an adult cicada emerges.

Cicada nymph skin, 3.5 cm long. Gift of Joanna Mitchell. Photograph © James Prineas, 2003