stuck cicada?

[noodles123]

So, I saw a moulting cicada under my pumpkin leaf this morning and took some pictures...This was at like 8:00-8:30 AM. Then, I went back out around 11:30 and he was still in THE EXACT same position (no progress whatsoever...hours later)-- alive, but seemingly stuck. They are supposed to complete their process within 4-6 hours max...Plus, it's odd that he was doing this in the daytime (leading into the afternoon). SO sad...I know he is alive...I know they can get stuck...Thoughts?

They are my favorite insect.

[/IMG] <-- around 8-8:30

[/IMG] <--around 11:30

 

[fiddlejen]

Well since it's Exact same position, possible he was no-longer-alive before your second pic. But - since you mention you like these type creatures - if he's still there and IF you think he might be alive why not use a chopstick to gently help push his wrapper off?

 

[noodles123]

Well since it's Exact same position, possible he was no-longer-alive before your second pic. But - since you mention you like these type creatures - if he's still there and IF you think he might be alive why not use a chopstick to gently help push his wrapper off?

He was alive because he moved when I poked him with a straw...I wouldn't have messed with him, but they harden over time, so they have a limited window of opportunity to get that shell off before it fuses to them with them in it (and then they die)...I ended up removing it around 11:45 or noon...All of his parts are intact, but it looks like things may have started to go wrong before I could do anything (and maybe before the moult even began)....I know they say not to help with eggs hatching, animals moulting etc etc, but he was clearly going to stay in there forever (given the fact that there was no progress after no many hours)...at least now he can walk...wings seem all jacked up...he looks blotchy...like maybe he has a disease or bruises?? Again...I feel bad, but I am pretty sure he was screwed before I did anything, because I found him at 8, but I bet he started in the middle of the night (they normally do this when it is dark still). He tried really hard to flap etc, but it's like the wings were messed up (and yes, they DO have to dry etc-- but something else seemed very wrong).

Poor guy! Probably waited 17 years just to have messed up wings.
I can't help but feel guilty, because I don't think he will make it, but I don't think he started that moult at 8:00 AM....by 11:30, should have been out and about...they normally moult when its dark..so I backed the start time up to 4 at the latest...feel very sad for him!

 

[Scott]

Sad indeed, kudos for having the sensitivity to seek assistance. Hope he was somehow able to regain some semblance of agility.

Found this detailed info: Cicada Deformities

 

[noodles123]

Sad indeed, kudos for having the sensitivity to seek assistance. Hope he was somehow able to regain some semblance of agility.

Found this detailed info: Cicada Deformities

Thanks Scott- I spent yesterday studying that site! Very sad! I think they are so neat and they don't harm anything lol! Wish he would have had better luck--I have a feeling he was eaten....

 

[Owlet]

not helping animals out of molt or eggs is usually a myth unfortunately. It ties in with "survival of the fittest" which isnt really the kind of world we live in anymore. It's good to allow the animal the chance of doing it themselves but if they're clearly struggling and you're worried about their well being there is nothing inherently wrong with helping them along carefully. I applaud you for your kindness toward this cicada and I do wish it has survived and is living it's best life.

 

[Scott]

Sad indeed, kudos for having the sensitivity to seek assistance. Hope he was somehow able to regain some semblance of agility.

Found this detailed info: Cicada Deformities

Thanks Scott- I spent yesterday studying that site! Very sad! I think they are so neat and they don't harm anything lol! Wish he would have had better luck--I have a feeling he was eaten....

Sadly that is the fate of a significant number of cicadas.

 

[noodles123]

I think they are so cool AND CUTE (JUST LOOK AT THAT FACE!!!)

Apparently, some people hate them! When I googled "how do cicadas" some of the first results were "how do you kill cicadas" "what kills cicadas" "how to kill cicadas" (WHY would people want to kill them?? They don't even do any real damage to trees or crops! They also live 4-17 years (granted, much of that is in the ground), they make crazy funny sounds and scream if you scare them (lol) and they leave those nifty little shells around which are great for sticking to the backs of squeamish people hhahaha! I once stuck 35 to my sister's shirt without her knowing!!! OH I WAS SO PROUD!