Neotibicen lyricen lyricen laying eggs in a narrow twig.

This Neotibicen lyricen lyricen has her ovipositor inserted deep into this twig.

Neotibicen lyricen lyricen puncturing a twig for her egg nest.

Making egg nests can take several minutes or several hours if she is left undisturbed.

I had to remain perfectly still to capture these images so I wouldn't startle this female.

This female was indifferent to her surroundings with her task at hand.

These photographs were taken in mid-August.

Shortly after laying all of their eggs, the female cicada will die.

Her spear-like ovipositor leaves little evidence unlike the apparent destructive behavior of her Magicicada cousins.

Neotibicen tibicen tibicen depositing eggs. Photograph taken: 07/00 Findley State Park Lorain County, Ohio

Neotibicen tibicen tibicen female laying eggs in a twig. Sometimes they will lay their eggs in the bark of a tree trunk. Wolf Creek Park Sandusky County, Ohio

I noticed many Neotibicens prefer either dry or dead twigs when depositing their eggs. Wolf Creek Park Sandusky County, Ohio

I stumbled across this female in Wolf Creek Park located in Sandusky County, Ohio.

I observed this female busy at work on her egg nests for nearly 30 minutes. Wolf Creek Park Sandusky County, Ohio

The conditions were ideal for nest building since it was a warm partly cloudy day. Wolf Creek Park Sandusky County, Ohio

This female gave no attention to me even though I was squatted just a few feet from her. Wolf Creek Park Sandusky County, Ohio

Since Neotibicen cicadas are so skittish and elusive, finding one laying eggs can be difficult. Wolf Creek Park Sandusky County, Ohio

These "Swamp Cicadas" can often be found on lower brush which helps make these images possible. Wolf Creek Park Sandusky County, Ohio

Once finished, this cicada flew away after making several nests. The slight damage was almost unnoticeable. Wolf Creek Park Sandusky County, Ohio

Neotibicen tibicen tibicen depositing eggs in the bark of a tree trunk. Photograph taken: 07/00 Findley State Park Lorain County, Ohio

Closer view of a Neotibicen tibicen tibicen depositing eggs in the bark of a tree trunk. Photograph taken: 07/00 Findley State Park Lorain County, Ohio

I found this Neotibicen tibicen tibicen female laying eggs at dusk. Fremont Sandusky County, Ohio

Notice how thin the twig is. Much smaller preference than that of the Magicicada. Fremont Sandusky County, Ohio

This species has been observed laying eggs all times of the day. Fremont Sandusky County, Ohio

The "Swamp Cicada" is observed on low brush more often than other species. Wolf Creek Park Sandusky County, Ohio

Another dry twig is chosen for a nest site. Wolf Creek Park Sandusky County, Ohio

Her ovipositor leaves very little damage to the twig. Wolf Creek Park Sandusky County, Ohio

This cicada was hard at work on her nests for several minutes. Wolf Creek Park Sandusky County, Ohio

She will make numerous nests until hundreds of eggs are laid. Wolf Creek Park Sandusky County, Ohio

Once finished, she flew away to make new nests elsewhere. Wolf Creek Park Sandusky County, Ohio

Neotibicen tibicen tibicen depositing eggs in the bark of a tree trunk. Photograph taken: 07/00 Findley State Park Lorain County, Ohio