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While we were sitting in the living room tonight, my husband and I kept hearing something hitting our back door. I went out to take a look and found this cicada. You've got to enlarge this photo to appreciate the beauty of this cicada!
I've photographed a few of these during the past month or so, but they usually end up buzzing and flying straight at me - to the point of running into me! (And, yes, I scream!) I think that must be a defense strategy. Anyway, this one just sat there and let me take a bunch of photos.
I'm amazed at his beautiful coloring and am very curious about the 2 white spots on either side of his back. I wonder what they're for??? (Anyone know?) Also, on this second photo, you can see 3 small "eyes" - 2 white and 1 red. I read tonight that these are called the lateral ocellus (lateral meaning side) and medial ocellus (medial meaning center or middle). (I found information about the cicada's anatomy at this site.)
I've photographed a few of these during the past month or so, but they usually end up buzzing and flying straight at me - to the point of running into me! (And, yes, I scream!) I think that must be a defense strategy. Anyway, this one just sat there and let me take a bunch of photos.
I'm amazed at his beautiful coloring and am very curious about the 2 white spots on either side of his back. I wonder what they're for??? (Anyone know?) Also, on this second photo, you can see 3 small "eyes" - 2 white and 1 red. I read tonight that these are called the lateral ocellus (lateral meaning side) and medial ocellus (medial meaning center or middle). (I found information about the cicada's anatomy at this site.) 
3 comments:
Wow! What detail! I don't think I've ever seen one of these. I may have when I lived in Kansas, but don't remember them.
Those eyes...... kinda creepy/cool... you know?
I think the white spots are fake eyes. A lot of insects can lose body parts and keep surviving, but if they get their head eaten off, it is obviously over lol. SO, God gave these little guys, and many other living things a set of false eyes so predetors can't tell which end is up.
Wow, what a beautiful shot! The green is so pretty!
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