Gallery - Cicada Crew UMD

Please note: All images and videos are copyright. Permission by the photographer is required for use. Contact Mike Raupp (mraupp@umd.edu) or Paula Shrewsbury (pshrewsbury@umd.edu) for permission.

Emergence

A mature cicada nymph emerges from its hole after more than a decade underground. (M.J. Raupp)

The emergence tunnels made by the cicadas help aerate the soil and improve plant health. (M.J. Raupp)

Cicada emergence holes over a square foot of ground. (M.J. Raupp)

Before cicadas emerge, they will often build mud turrets on the soil’s surface when damp enough to stick. (M.J. Raupp)

Nymphs

Cicada nymphs climbing a tree. Newly emerged cicadas will find a nearby vertical surface so they can molt into their adult form (P.M. Shrewsbury)

The shed skin, or exuvia, of many periodical cicadas hanging on an oak tree. (P.M. Shrewsbury)

A handful of freshly emerged cicada nymphs. They must emerge in enormous numbers to overcome predators. (M.J. Raupp)

Nymphs in the final stage before adulthood resemble adults without wings, though a wing pad is visible. (P.M. Shrewsbury)

An immature cicada nymph. (M.J. Raupp)

Molting

A freshly molted adult cicada. Their exoskeleton is soft and white before it hardens. (M.J. Raupp)

Freshly molted cicadas must hang their wings and spread them out to dry and harden before they can use them to fly. (P.M. Shrewsbury)

A pair of cicada exuviae hanging on a flower stem. (M.J. Raupp)

Molting is a dangerous task for a cicada, they can get stuck squeezing themselves out of their old skin, and while they wait for their new cuticle and wings to harden, they are very vulnerable. (M.J. Raupp)

Hundreds of cicadas scaling a trunk to molt their exoskeletons. (M.J. Raupp)

Adults

Male cicadas use “tymbals” behind their wings to sing to females and find a mate. (M.J. Raupp)

A pair of adult cicadas mating. (M.J. Raupp)

A pair of adult cicadas mating. (P.M. Shrewsbury)

Male cicada anatomy. (M.J. Raupp)

Female cicada anatomy, ovipositor. (M.J. Raupp)

Though typically red, periodical cicadas can have many eye colors. (M.J. Raupp)

Cicadas excrete a watery and sugary substance called honeydew derived from their liquid diet. (P.M. Shrewsbury)

A female cicada cutting a narrow slit into a twig to lay their eggs. (M.J. Raupp)

A periodical cicada sitting on a leaf. (M.J. Raupp)

A periodical cicada with a mutation for blue eyes. (M.J. Raupp)

Predators & Pathogens

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A cicada infected with Massospora fungus. The fungus is one of the major causes of mortality for cicadas. (M.J. Raupp)

A cicada infected with Massospora fungus. Note how reduced the abdomen is. (M.J. Raupp)

Ants feeding on a dead cicada. (M.J. Raupp)

Damage to Plants

Damage made by a female cicada when laying eggs. (M.J. Raupp)

Dead branches on a small tree from cicada damage. Smaller, younger trees are more vulnerable to cicada damage. (M.J. Raupp)

Dead leaves on a tree from damage caused by cicadas. Note how it is mostly the smaller exterior branches that have died and how most of the tree remains intact. (M.J. Raupp)

Branches damaged by cicadas that have fallen to the ground. (P.M. Shrewsbury)

Control Methods

A young tree covered in netting to prevent damage from cicadas. (M.J. Raupp)

Cicada netting for sale in a store to protect trees, bushes, and shrubs from cicadas. (P.M. Shrewsbury)

Cicada Eggs

A closeup of a cicada egg nest. (M.J. Raupp)

Annual Cicadas

An annual cicada, also known as a dog-day cicada. They can be distinguished from periodical cicadas through their size and coloration. (M.J. Raupp)