neotibicen ecdysis

The following image galleries were taken in Sandusky County, Ohio unless otherwise noted in the descriptions.

A nymph climbs up the side of a tree.

Once satisfied with a suitable location, the nymph anchors itself with its legs.

After a few minutes, the nymphal skin splits down its back.

With contraction movements, the new adult slowly begins to emerge.

Like being reborn, the head emerges from the old skin first.

The adult continues with its contractions and slowly removes itself from the old skin casing.

The new adult is a delicate creature with pale soft skin.

The process is slow but the adult cicada is persistent.

The wing pads are now visible.

The cicada frees its upper body.

The cicada frees its legs.

The cicada pulls its body almost entirely free.

The cicada takes a moment to rest.

Blood is pumped into its wings as they slowing expand.

It is important the wings expand properly so the adult will be able to fly.

The cicada begins to sit up.

The cicada clutches its old shell to pull itself completely free.

The cicada pulls itself free!

Still clinging to its shell, the cicada rests while its wings expand even more.

The wings stretch out and hang loose.

The wings extend the length of the cicada's body.

The cicada dangles while its wings take final form.

Fully expanded, the wings glisten in the morning light.

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

A truly magnificent creature!

Our Lady of the Pines
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

After a while, the wings harden and fold over the cicada's back.

Birchard Park
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

While the wings harden, a cicada often remains clinging to its old shell.

Birchard Park
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

The whole process can take several hours.

Birchard Park
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Soon, the cicada will crawl away and its body will harden and darken.

Birchard Park
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

A nymph climbs up a tree.

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

The nymph anchors itself to the bark.

Birchard Park
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

The skin splits down its back and the new cicada emerges from its shell.

The head emerges first.

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Slowly, the back comes out next.

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Contractions help the cicada free itself.

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

The wing pads become visible.

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Its body is often pale with shades of green, tan, or brown.

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

The legs are now visible.

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

The cicada eases out some more.

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

The wing pads are completely free,

The legs are now free.

More of its body emerges.

Photograph taken - 2000

Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation
Carey
Wyandot County, Ohio

All six legs are visible.

Photograph taken - 2000

Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation
Carey
Wyandot County, Ohio

The cicada leans backward to rest.

Photograph taken - 2000

Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation
Carey
Wyandot County, Ohio

The cicada is resting momentarily.

Photograph taken - 2000

Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation
Carey
Wyandot County, Ohio

It is dangerous for a cicada to emerge during the daylight since its vulnerable to predators.

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

They usually emerge under the safety of darkness at night.

Cicadas sometimes choose a spot near the ground or many feet up onto the trunk of a tree.

The wings slowly begin to expand.

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Once rested, its time to finish freeing itself.

The cicada begins to sit up like a stomach crunch.

As it rises, it extends its front legs.

The cicada then clutches its exuviae for support.

Clutching its shell, the cicada pulls its body free.

The cicada is completely free.

Still clinging to its shell, the cicada pumps blood into its wings.

The wings begin to fully expand.

The wings expand the length of the cicada's body.

The process is a slow one.

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

With its wings fully expanded, the creature is a beautiful sight to see!

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

After a while longer, the wings begin to harden and fold.

Photograph taken - 2000

Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation
Carey
Wyandot County, Ohio

As the wings harden, they slowly take their final form.

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

This cicada's wings are completely formed and folded. Not all cicadas are this lucky.

Our Lady of the Pines
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

The cicada rests some more.

Our Lady of the Pines
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

The body will now harden and darken.

Our Lady of the Pines
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Soon, this cicada will be able to fly.

Birchard Park
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

The cicada's body will soon by an array of black, brown, white, tan, or green coloration.

Birchard Park
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

The cicada will ascend into the canopy of the trees where it will live its adult life for only a few weeks.

Birchard Park
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Only the empty shell called an "exuviae" is left behind.

Green Creek Township
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 2000

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 2000

Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation
Carey
Wyandot County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 2000

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 1999

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 2000

Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation
Carey
Wyandot County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 1999

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 1999

Birchard Park
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 1999

Our Lady of the Pines
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 1999

Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 2000

Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation
Carey
Wyandot County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 2000

Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation
Carey
Wyandot County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 2001

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 2000

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 2001

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 2000

Our Lady of the Pines
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Neotibicen Emergence Holes

Photograph taken - 2000

Our Lady of the Pines
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 2000

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 2000

Our Lady of the Pines
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 2000

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken - 2000

Birchard Park
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

This poor cicada fell and suffered damaged wings. It is now a victim of a hornet attack.

Photograph taken - 2000

Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation
Carey
Wyandot County, Ohio

Not all Neotibicens eclose successfully. These individuals failed to do so and have fallen to the ground where they will eventually die.

Photograph taken - 2000

Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation
Carey
Wyandot County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2016

Our Lady of the Pines
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2016

Our Lady of the Pines
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2016

Green Creek Township
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2016

Our Lady of the Pines
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2016

St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2016

Our Lady of the Pines
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2019

St. Joseph Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2019

Terra Community College
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2019

St. Joseph Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2019

Terra Community College
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2019

St. Joseph Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2019

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center / Spiegel Grove

Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2019

St. Joseph Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2019

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center / Spiegel Grove

Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2019

St. Joseph Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2019

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center / Spiegel Grove

Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2019

St. Joseph Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2019

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center / Spiegel Grove

Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio

Photograph taken 2019

St. Joseph Cemetery
Fremont
Sandusky County, Ohio