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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!
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!)
Judith Hunt - http://www.huntjudith.com/science_nature.html
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Some more summer pics -
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