17-Year Cicada Emergence

Magicicada Septendecim 17 Year Cicada
Nymph Emergence

June 1, 2013

Emergence sequence of the Magicicada septendecim

When the nymph is ready to emerge it grabs securely onto a branch and freezes.

The nymph shell splits around the top of the thorax

It slowly works its head out first.

Once the head is out it leans backwards so it can pull out its legs.

It slowly works its legs out of the shell. This is a delicate process because sometimes extremities could get stuck in the shell and the nymph will be stuck or one of the legs could get broken off.

The nymph will hang upside down for a while to allow the top half of its body and legs to harden.

Its legs must harden and be strong enough to support the weight of its newly emerged body from its shell.

When its legs have hardened and are strong enough to support its weight it will bend and reach upward to grab the branch or exuvia and pulls out the rest of its body and hang for a while to allow its body to harden and wings to expand.

The Cicada expands its wings by pumping hymolymph (cicada blood) into its wings to expand them.

Over several hours the cicada will expand its wings and allow its exoskeleton to harden. Cicada are very vulnerable to injury or becoming prey during this time. If the cicada's body is injured in any way where the hemolymph bleeds out, this is a death sentence for the cicada.

The cicada will hold its wings flat while they are expanding.

Once the nymphs wings have fully expanded they will pull them in to the sides of their body and allow them to fully harden. It must wait for its wings to fully harden before it can fly. The nymphs are also very light in color and it will slowly acquire its adult colors as the exoskeleton hardens overnight.

 After the M. septendecim fully emerged from its exuvia I allowed it to rest overnight so its adult color could develop.

The Magicicada septendecim's body turns black and the eyes are a striking red color.

It is amazing to know that this is a 17 year old insect!