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Insects and Kin

Natural History Museum > Insects and Kin > Cicada Nymph Skin

Natural History Museum > Insects and Kin

submitted by Museum Administration on 11.10.2003

Cicada Nymph Skin

Cicada Nymph Skin
Copyright (2003) Kythera Museum Of Natural History

Skin of cicada nymph.

Immature cicadas are called nymphs. They live underground for 4 to 20 years (depending on the species), sucking the juice from plant roots. When the nymph is fully mature, it climbs a tree-trunk. Then its skin splits open and an adult cicada emerges.

Cicada nymph skin, 3.5 cm long. Gift of Joanna Mitchell. Photograph © James Prineas, 2003

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