We are having an amazing emergence of what is called Brood X cicadas, in the eastern US. Billions of these critters have been living in their larva stage for 17 years, and then emerged here, a few weeks ago. What emerges is hard exoskeleton shell that contains the adult cicada. The first photo shows the cicada emerging from its shell. The second photo shows its tiny wings just beginning to unfold. The next two photos show the wings gradually flattening out. The process takes about half an hour. The last photo shows the fully dried and darkened cicada, about half an hour later. Notice the red eyes. (Click to enlarge)
These critters climb up trees or other vertical surfaces and then begin their mating game. The males call out, trying to entice females for sex. Over a few weeks the din of millions of them is extremely loud. They do not eat, and after copulation the males die, the females last until they lay eggs, deposit them on tree branches and then they die. In a week or so the eggs hatch, the larva drop to the ground, they drill down a foot or so (30 cm) into the ground and begin to suck on tree roots for 17 years, when they'll emerge and start the process again.
Amazing! I am very happy that this happens only once every 17 years.
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