Paul Stevens writes.
Out past Wisemans Ferry last week I had the privilege of observing a cicada emerging from its shell, happened from about 11.30 am to 1.30 pm.
I had heard it most usually happened at night. Was struck by the precision of the whole process, very structured stages, didn’t see it crack out of the carapace, first spotted it as it was hanging upside down pumping out its new exoskeleton, then after pulling itself upright onto its old shell, pumped out the wings this process took about 20 minutes, when finished pause for drying. Next and final stage separate from carapace and work on pigmentation, I left before the stage had finalized while it was still getting definition and colour. See the photos below.
Remarkable