Monday, August 09, 2010

Cicada Summer

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Its another summer of Cicadas.

On almost each and every tree are hundreds of perfectly formed, golden, empty shells clinging on to the crevices on the bark. Each with a neat slit on its back. Is is surprising enough that any creature can discard an intricate body like this as if it were pair of socks...

But today I was astounded to know that each Cicada nymph, after it emerges from its egg, remains for about 17 years underground, before it emerges on a fine summer day. It then climbs a tree, moults, mates and dies in just two weeks!

Why 17 years? What could possibly be the evolutionary advantage?

So far, even the scientists have no idea...



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REFERENCES / LINKS

Richard Attenborough's Life in the Undergrowth: Amazing Cicada Life Cycle - BBC Wildlife - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjLiWy2nT7U  (Great Video!)



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Some more summer pics -








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