The entire process of a cicada shedding its exoskeleton takes about 30 minutes.
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During a research trip focused on various species, photographer Thomas Marent was fortunate enough to witness the process of a cicada shedding its exoskeleton. The entire journey from “birth” to the development of wings takes 30 minutes.
Cicada larvae climbing up a tree or leaf to begin the molting process
Cicada larvae live in underground burrows, typically 30 cm to 2.5 m deep. When they decide to break free from their protective shell, Marent observed the cicada leave its burrow and climb a tree, choosing a sturdy leaf to support its process. After clinging to the leaf for about 7 to 10 minutes, the molting process gradually begins.
The hard outer shell of the cicada is separated from its back
At this moment, the body of the cicada is extremely soft
Initially, the hard outer shell of the cicada is split from the back. According to Marent’s description, the cicada gradually breaks free from its shell, a process that lasts 4 to 5 minutes. A green larva with a frightening appearance starts to emerge.
After escaping from the shell, the cicada’s wings gradually extend. However, at this moment, the wings are still wet and soft (left image). After a few minutes, the wings will extend and become sturdier (right image)
Once the cicada has fully emerged from its shell, its wings begin to extend. However, at this stage, the wings remain soft and damp. The cicadas will cling to their perch and wait until their wings have fully hardened before they can fly. This process takes about 5 to 7 minutes for the cicada’s wings to become strong enough.
Interestingly, the colors on the cicada’s body also begin to change gradually, shifting from a uniform green to a more iridescent hue on its wings. Once the wings are sufficiently long and sturdy, the cicada can fly up into the branches to feed on sap and sing its birth song…
Photographer Marent shared: “In the past, I have seen countless empty shells on branches and tree trunks, and I was very curious about them. I wanted to capture images of cicada larvae ‘molting’ for many years, and now I have fulfilled that wish – a complete process from infancy to maturity.”
