10:15pm

Recent warm days have brought the summer cicada chorus to life. By day most are out of sight, high in forest canopy. So it was a special treat to find this one just emerging after many months (or perhaps years) spent underground.

Psaltoda moerens (Redeye Cicada)

10:44pm

Emergence from the final nymphal skin is a slow, laborious process. At this stage the legs are free but the wings have yet to begin their expansion.

Psaltoda moerens (Redeye Cicada)

11:53pm

Within an hour, the wings are fully expanded.

Psaltoda moerens (Redeye Cicada)

12:17am

It takes time for the cuticle to harden, and until then the insect hangs motionless by the claws on its front pair of legs.

Psaltoda moerens (Redeye Cicada)

1:00am

By morning, the entire body will be jet black. Indeed, it took me a while to recognise the species. Even the wings will develop distinctive dark ‘infuscations’, characteristic of the species but not at all evident yet.

Psaltoda moerens (Redeye Cicada)