JULY 2016 • NEBRASKAland 33
Above: Pictured are empty exuvia of periodical cicadas. This is
the final molt in the process of becoming an adult and happens
shortly after emerging from the ground.
Below: Adult Magicidas possess red eyes and congregate in
large numbers when they emerge from the ground.
underground from tree to tree, they will form
small chambers called cells and feed off of the
fluid in roots as they grow. For 17 years they
will live this way, going through the process of
ecdysis (molting their exoskeleton) up to three
times until they are ready to emerge in the same
fashion their parents did so long ago.
Periodical cicadas, like many other species
in the world, currently face a number of
challenges that threaten their future. For
example, the fungus Massospora cicadina will
attack the adults once they emerge from the
ground and are trying to reproduce. Of greater
concern, however, is the shrinking amount
of suitable habitat available for them due to
human development. These species rely on the
undisturbed, sunlit edges of the forests in which
they congregate, which are becoming more and
more of a commodity. We will have to wait
another 17 years to experience this phenomenon
again, but it is important to consider these
circumstances if we are to continue enjoying
them for generations to come. I, for one, think
that they are well worth the wait. ■
Alex Wiles is an
environmental educator
at Fontenelle Forest near
Bellevue while he pursues
a career in conservation
photography. This is his
second appearance in
NEBRASKAland Magazine.
PHOTO
BY
ALEX
WILES
PHOTO
BY
JEFF
KURRUS
