Large Brown Cicada, ecdysis process (Bandai, Bandai Spirits, Break Co. Ltd., & Kaiyodo)

Today we are looking at the ecdysis process of the large brown cicada (Graptopsaltria nigrofuscata), a species of cicada distributed throughout much of Southeast Asia, including China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan. The ecdysis process is whereby a growing animal sheds its skin as it gets larger (e.g., a molting snake) or an insect advancing to the next stage of development, as we will see in this review. The ecdysis of the large brown cicada we will study today will take us from the subterranean nymphal form through to the mature adult, and beyond! To study this process, we will be looking at figures by Kaiyodo (Choco Q Animatales Series 10), Bandai, Bandai Spirits (Life with Insect Desktop Models), and Break Co. Ltd. (Biological Pictorial Book – Cicadas). Most of the figures are from an ecdysis set by Bandai, with supplemental material from the other three companies.

Let us start with the mature, yet still subterranean, nymph. It has spent the last several years underground feeding on plant roots. Notice the eyes are still pale [figure by Kaiyodo]:

As the eyes darken, the nymph makes it way to the surface of the soil [figure by Break Co. Ltd.]:

The nymph climbs up on to the trunk of a tree or, in this case, a log. [figure by Kaiyodo]:

The ecdysial scar on the top of the thorax splits open, and the adult cicada begins to emerge [figure by Bandai]:

Over the next several hours, the cicada will remain virtually motionless as its exoskeleton hardens and its wings dry; notice it gets darker over time [figures by Bandai]:

At last, the fully mature adult cicada is ready to take flight, mate, lay eggs, and then die [figure by Break Co. Ltd.]:

Eventually, the only evidence that the cicadas were even here is the empty exuviae they leave behind [figures by Bandai Spirits and Bandai]:

Well, I hope you enjoyed the life cycle of Graptopsaltria nigrofuscata. Until next time!