High above the ground in a Texas lilac tree, a resh cicada is shown in its freshly molted state, with a light orange/yellow/brown body and neon green wings, still clinging to the dusty brown shell it inhabited underground. The same cicada is also seen two hours later, after the iridescence of its wings has faded and its body has begun to darken. Dark brown/black spots and stripes have begun to develop.

Ever seen a freshly-molted cicada? I’ve been lucky to see a few this year. I was surprised to see how light they are! Their wings have almost a rainbow of neon hues, which is most visible in video. Their bodies darken into their familiar forms over time.

#cicada #freshlymolted #molt