I did some weeding in this afternoon, and as I pulled up little tufts of grass and other unwanted volunteers, I started noticing holes appear. Cicadas! They’re down there, indeed, and almost ready to greet us.
I gently poked my weeding tool into a hole and caught a glimpse of a cicada slowly squirming around. Better not to upset him (her?), especially with a metal tool – I might do some real damage.
I went on my way, seeing dime-sized holes appear now and then, but not really catching another glimpse of the our soon-to-be guests, but I swear I could feel the ground buzzing. So, I gingerly lifted up a stepping stone. Bingo! They haven’t been merely sleeping all this time; they’ve been tunneling and preparing for their grand debut. They’re not quite ready – most barely reacted when I lifted up the stone. Some were a bit more animated than others, but they still look so tender and defenseless.
According to a quick Google search (as it’s been a minute since I witnessed this myself), these nymphs will crawl out of the ground, shed the tender exoskeleton, and then the magic happens: the wings inflate with fluid, and their adult skin will harden.
It’s kind of sad knowing that these critters will face all kinds of violence when they emerge: people will swat at them and squash them underfoot (not to mention speak very ill of them); and birds, dogs, and other predators will gorge themselves on them.
Yet, they persevere.
My Corner of the Village 