17 Year Cicada
Cape Cod, Mass August 2008
This guy is special because he only comes above ground for a few weeks after living 17 years underground!!
Nearly all cicadas spend multiple years growing underground as juveniles, before emerging aboveground for a short adult stage of several weeks to a few months. The periodical cicada species are so-named because, in any one location, all of the members of the population are developmentally synchronized – they emerge as adults all at once in the same year. This periodicity is especially amazing because their life cycles are so extremely long – 13 or 17 years. Cicadas of all other species (perhaps 3000 worldwide) are not synchronized, so some adults mature each summer and emerge while the rest of the population continues to develop underground.
Periodical cicadas are average-sized for cicadas, but they are slightly smaller than the annual cicada species found in the same regions of the United States. They are black, with red eyes and yellow or orange stripes on the underside. The wings are translucent and have orange veins.
They are harmless insects; they neither bite nor sting. They are not venomous, and there is no evidence that they transmit diseases.
(wiki) Olympus E510 Sigma 105mm
17 Year Cicada belongs to the following groups:
** Super Macro Photography (Two Per Day ), Birds and Creatures of Flight, Bug Hunt! (with Location please), Butterflies, Skippers, Moths, & Other Winged Insects (2 a Day), Extreme Close-Ups, Freedom to Shine and Olympus and Four Thirds Group
barnsis
Awesome macro, and they make a lot of noise when they all come out at the same time. Great information to go with the image, many people call these locust.
Marleia Main replied
I saw that too in wiki .. Cool stuff out there to learn!! I love it : )) Thank you Byron!! : ))
Jen Millard
Fantastic macro! Love these guys!
Marleia Main replied
Me too!! I was excited to find them this summer : )) Thank you so much Jen : ))
melant1017
Okay, now that is a close up, wow. You are still the queen :) Well done!
-Antonio
Marleia Main replied
Hey Antonio : )) How cute is this guy
I love him .. Adorable Insects .. I was so happy to find them this summer! Thank you so much : ))
Simon Muirhead
wow!
Marleia Main replied
Hello there you : )) Thank you so very much!!
MICKSPIXPHOTOS
INCREDIBLE !! Great capture, Marleia.
Marleia Main replied
Hi Mick : ) Thank you so much for commenting : ))
Phil Threlfall
This shot is as cool as !! Great work
Marleia Main replied
Hello Phil : )) Thank you so much : )) I love Cicada’s but the 17 year Cicada is really special!! : ))
Ken Boxsell
Wow….......Now you gotta love this guy…......Awesome shot Marleia
Marleia Main replied
Hello Ken : )) Thank you so very much for commenting!! These guys are cool .. 17 years old!! Not bad for an insect!! : )) Thank you again : ))
Alan Coote
Only a mother could love a face like that. Fantastic image – the colours are so rich and its pin sharp in the right places.
Marleia Main replied
Hello Alan : )) Thank you so much for commenting. I love these little guys!!
Macky
This is an incredible capture Marleia, wonderful detail and thanks for the info on this unique creature!!
Marleia Main replied
Hi Macky : )) Thank you so very much!! I love wildlife and conservation so I try to put something educational with each picture now .. I am so happy you liked that : ))
John Vandeven
What fantastic macro shot…Well done.
Marleia Main replied
Hello John : )) Thank you so very much : )))
StuartR
Great shot. I used to spend many hours collecting and playing with these little critters when I was a boy (extra fun when you put them in girls hair in class,—boys will be boys).
My children used to collect the discarded skins and form them into armies and played games for hours. This generation of children play with XBox and the internet instead and are probably missing out.
Thanks for ther memories.
Marleia Main replied
So True Stuart!! I stayed outside all day to play too! I could not find enough bugs and frogs when I was a kid .. Ummmm well I still can’t lol .. So somethings never change I guess : )) Thank you so much for the lovely comment!!
Trevor Needham
Magnificent capture, so sharp and detailed. And thanks for the informative notes too – very helpful for an entomological novice!
Marleia Main replied
Hello: )) Thank you so much for commenting..I loooove Entomology!! Thanks again : ))
photosbylefty
totally awesome, fabulous macro!
Marleia Main replied
Hello John : )) Thank you so very, very much : ))
FelicityB
What a scarey maco – incredible detail, but gave me a fright over my coffee!
Marleia Main replied
lol Hello felicity : )) Sorry to scare you .. Hope you had a great cup of coffee : ))
Mark Bateman
What an incredible macro – and the info was really interesting too!
Marleia Main replied
Hello Mark : )) I am so glad you like him!! Hope you are having a great weekend : ))
Dennis Gay
G’day Marleia,
What a fantastic study of this teenage Cicada!
Incredible sharp, intricate detail in this very well exposed photograph, well controlled contrast and highlights and wonderful natural colours.
The Wiki reference is very interesting and makes a good companion to your excellent photograph.
GB
Dennis
Marleia Main replied
Hello Dennis : )) Thank you so much for the wonderful comment!! I really appreciate it. I am very glad you like this little guy : ))
Yool
Awesome picture ….wow !!!!
Marleia Main replied
Hello Yool : )) Thank you so very, very much : ))
SandraRos
What can I say when you leave me breathless ? ? ? This is spectacular, and thank you now I know what they look like up close normally it was only my ears that knew all about them !
Marleia Main replied
hello Sandra : ) Thank you so very much ; ) They are little cuties aren’t they?? Love your tortoise by the way : ))
Jeannette Sheehy
Mar this is amazing! NatGeo awaits! :)
Marleia Main replied
Thank you JLS : )) I am going then .. NatGeo awaits .. Take care of the office .. take the thunder and do what makes sense : ))))
nazboo
Superb shot. when i was a kid we used to fry these fellas. They tasted lovely, a bit crunchy. Well, now i just enjoy snapping and looking at them. How time changes.
I love this shot
Marleia Main replied
Hello nazboo : )) Thank you so much for commenting .. I am so glad you enjoyed seeing this guy : ))
Molly Kinsey
Awesome Macro! I heard them, but never had the chance to find them!
Marleia Main replied
Hello Molly : )) I heard they were in Cape Cod, Mass this year so I revised my summer vaca a little to include this area just to see them. Of course I saw Whales, Crabs, Gulls, Osprey, Swans and so much more too!! Thank you so much for commenting!!
Jim Sugrue
I don’t know how you do it Marleia! Awsome shot ;-)
velveteagle
What a wonderful capture.. So well done Marleia.. I would be so proud to have done this work.. Great info..
Chuck…
Marleia Main replied
Oh Thank you so much Chuck!! That is such a lovely comment. You made my day : ))
Marleia Main
Hello you!! Thank you so very much : )) See u on Gmail : ))
pryere
Spectacular.
Brilliant shot.
Marleia Main replied
Hello Pryere : )) Thank you so much : ))
dancinfreakshow
STOP LOOKING AT ME….LOL Wicked shot:)
Marleia Main replied
Hello There Mister : )) Thank you so very much : )))
Michael Oubridge
Out of this world capture Marleia :)
Marleia Main replied
Hi Michael!!! Thank you so much for commenting : ))))
Sean Farragher
amazing,,,,,,
Marleia Main replied
Hello Sean : )) Thank you so much!!
flyfish70
WOW, this is such an awesome photo Marleia!!!!!!! I love how you can see the hair on it’s head!!!!!! The detail is very awesome, well done!!!!!!!!
Marleia Main replied
Hello Ashby : )) Thank you so very much : )))
Nic Relton
ok, I’ve been away at a conference for a couple of days looking at pro wildlife photographers work… OMG Miss!!! U r gonna be up there too!!! This is sooo nice!!!
Marleia Main replied
Hey U .. Thank you so much .. Can’t wait to safari : ))
loramae
Oh WoW! Excellent Macro!!! :)
Marleia Main replied
Hi Loramae : )) Thank you so very much for commenting : ))))
Charles Dobbs ...
Wow! Congrats on the feature! Well deserved!
Marleia Main replied
Hello Charles : )) It is featured in your group so I will say Thank you for the feature and for the comment : )))))))) What a nice surprise : )))
sunsetgirl
I love how close up this shot is! you can see a lot of details you wouldn’t usually see!
Marleia Main replied
Hi Sunsetgirl : )) Thank you so much .. This little guy was so cool!! Can you believe an insect can live to be 17 years old?? Wow!
sunsetgirl
Cicadas are cool! yeah, I thought that was interesting that they can live 17 years underground!
Diane Schuster
Fantastic macro, wonderful info to accompany the photo, he looks a little scary closeup, good thing he’s harmless!! (:-))
Marleia Main replied
Hi Dolphindancer : ) Thank you so much and yes this little guy was a sweet heart!! Not dangerous at all : ))
cdudak
Great macro of this one’s face. We had them last year, the noise they make is something else. I have one in my profile also.
Marleia Main replied
Hello : )) They are noisy but I just adore them : )) Aaahhh the sounds of summer : )) It is dead silent outside now .. I miss the chirping and buzzing ,, Oh well next year : ) Thank you again : )
Darren Post
wow… love the detail you’ve captured and the info … Fantastic! :-)
Marleia Main replied
Hi Darren : ) Thank you so very much for you comment and I love that you liked the info!! Thank you again : ))
shanemcgowan
Begorra that fellow is charming marleia darlin ;-))
Marleia Main replied
Hello Mister : )) Thank you so much for viewing my work : )) “Begorra” I love it .. umm I googled it : )))))
klezedawg
impressive shot!
Marleia Main replied
Hello : )) Thank you so very much!!
Pete Costick
Wooooh, that is an amazing critter, fantastic capture Marleia :)
Marleia Main replied
hello There : )) I have missed you Mister : )) Thank you for stopping by to comment : ))
tasadam
This is so “in your face”. Nice detail, good story to go with it too.
Nature sure can be odd, always something you didn’t know.
Marleia Main replied
Hello Adam : )) Thank you so very much for commenting .. I love these little guys : )) Ok I guess I love most creatures but these hold a special place in my heart!!
CarolM
This guy looks scary! Great Macro work and your write up is so interesting. Excellent work!!!!!!
Marleia Main replied
Hi Carol : )) He was a sweet little cicada!! I had about 12 of them on my hand .. They are really harmless and very cool insects .. Thank you so much for commenting!! I am glad you enjoy the Information too : ))
Christopher Bi...
miss mar! how the heck did i miss this..awesome…!!!!!!! xx
Marleia Main replied
What?? You have not eaten one of these?? Thank you so very much : )) I really did miss you … I hope your Exhibition is very successful!!
Christopher Bi...
lol yes i did!!!! it is a delicacy in thailand but i did know from previous experience that you dont eat the legs. they do them in a soy concoction , tasty but just dont think too much about what youre eating…eeek! thank you for your well wishes regarding the exhibition, its been going well. i am meeting up with a reporter on monday too. all good! :)))))) xx
colorstorm
Cool shot- lol, looks like it’s grinning and laughing sneakily!
Marleia Main replied
Hello .. Thank you so very much : )) He was a sweetie : )
Renee Dawson
Awesome macro Marleia! I was fortunate enough to capture some cicadas this summer too…I’d forgot all about that image folder until I saw this…lol
Marleia Main replied
Hello Renee : ) Did you post them?? I want to see them .. They are cool right?? Thank you so much : ))
Steve Bulford
Wow….what great detail and comp! Love it.
Marleia Main replied
Wow .. 2 Mr. Bulford comments in one day .. I am honored!! Thank you so very much ; )))))))
Renee Dawson
Hi Marleia. No I haven’t posted any…forgot all about them…lol They freak my SIL out but I thought they were so neat!
Marleia Main replied
Oh cool .. I see .. I love them .. 17 years old .. That is old for an Insect : ))) Have great evening you : )
Zoraida Pesante
Another Awesome Shot!!!
Marleia Main replied
Thank you so much Zoraida : ))
Ginger Barritt
This is a fantastic photo…it scares the crap out of me….I’ll see him in nightmares….but he’s wonderful….
Marleia Main replied
Oh you .. This little guy was such a sweet little bug!! He promises to stay clear of any nightmares!! lol Thank you so much for commenting Ginger : )))
Catherine Davis
Beautiful cicada photos, I love them – lots of joy finding them in my childhood!
Marleia Main replied
Hi Catherine : )) Thank you so much. I was sooo excited when I found them .. Ok so I am easy to please ; ) Thanks again : )
Catherine Davis
No, I completely understand! I find this sort of thing fascinating!
Roddy Atkinson
Stunning capture, great info! Thnx!
Marleia Main replied
Hello Roddy : )) Thank you so very much .. I love these little guys : )
Hawker
Magnificent macro, I admire your photographic skill
Marleia Main replied
Hello Robert : )) Thank you ever so much : )) I really appreciate your comment .. Thank you : )
Scott Englund
Great Macro!!! well done. Guess it will be a few years before we see any followup shots ;^)
Marleia Main replied
Hello Scott : )) LOL! Yes It will be a while .. At least in Cape Cod, Mass .. Maybe I could find some in another area .. They are the coolest : )) Thank you so much : )
Marleia Main
Hello Scott : )) LOL! Yes It will be a while .. At least in Cape Cod, Mass .. Maybe I could find some in another area .. They are the coolest : )) Thank you so much : )
ufosIsee
You really capture things well…. Awsome pics… Where I use to live back in Pa. We had the all green Cicada…. But when I use to build swimming pools, this one Yr, I saw for the first time these Cicadas which at fist spook me as flying demons… But they are harmless..
Marleia Main replied
Hello .. Yes they are harmless and cool : ) We see the green one’s too, they are an annual cicada. I have not taken a decent picture of one of those yet .. maybe next summer. Thank you so much for the wonderful comment and for looking through my work. I truly appreciate it : ))
UmbieArt
Marleia – I love the details in this image. We had our 17 year invasion in the Chicagoland area back in 2007. I need to dig up some photos from back then. Great gallery! – Mike
Marleia Main replied
hello Mike : ) Thank you so very much : )
Rebecca Bryson
Amazing macro, you are good!!
Marleia Main replied
Hi Rebecca : ) Thank you so very much for commenting : )
Kay G Larsen
What an awesome capture and wonderful macro shot!! Congrats on the feature! : )
Marleia Main replied
Thank you so very much Kay : ))))
Christopher E...
EXCELLENT!!!!!! detail!! wow!! and they were out all over the place last year, was great sitting on the porch and listening to their “song”, you have a wonderful and peaceful holiday season, and here’s to 2009 Rocking!
Marleia Main replied
Thank you so much Christopher!! You do the same : )))))
leigh banks
awsome, how cool is this guy wonderful detail,,,love it
Marleia Main replied
Hello Leigh : )) I love these little guys!! I will have to try to find where they emerge in 2009 and get some more pictures!! Thank you so very much : ))
Dean Mullin
Super detail – I shot a little baby one – just emerging now as the weather is getting warmer here in NZ – nice photo… I’m still looking to trap an adult :o)
Marleia Main replied
Hello Dean : )) Thank you for commenting : )) We have a few different annual Cicada’s here but the 17 year Cicada is my favorite : )) I will have to try to find out where they will show up this year .. Can’t wait!!
bubbleblue
fantastic work, thanks also for the info which i never knew.
Marleia Main replied
Hello : ) Thank you for commenting : ))
Zoraida Pesante
Congrats on your feature!!!
Marleia Main replied
Hi ZeeZee : )) Thank you so very much : ))
mlynnd
Wonderful closeup. We had them by us in 2007. In no hurry for their return.
Marleia Main replied
lol You have a few years to wait : ) Thank you so much : )
Leith O'Malley
Marleia! Your close up photography takes my breath away.. I LOVE it!!!
You must have one hell of a camera/lens set up!!
Really great work… throughout…. everything!!
:)
Marleia Main replied
Hello : ) Thank you for commenting : ) I have a few camera’s ; ) I really love macro photography .. everything is so much more interesting CLOSE up : )))
Lynda McDonald
quite a capture, most interesting writeup
Marleia Main replied
Hi Lynda : ) Thank you so much : ))))
SandraRos
CONGRATULATIONS you ended in the top 10 !!! You had my vote with this awesome capture
Marleia Main
Thank you so much Sandra : ))))))))
Gethin
awesome macro and great notes.. well done!
Marleia Main replied
Thank you so much for commenting : ))
Glenda Remaklus
What an EXCELLENT capture . This is absolutely surreal! Well done.
Marleia Main replied
Thank you so much for commenting Glenda : )))))
HenkStolk
great shot, we have millions of them now :)
Marleia Main replied
Hi Henk .. lucky you! I would love to see them again : ))))))
Hans Goepel
EXCELLENT capture
Marleia Main replied
Hi Hans : )) Thank you so much!! How is the camera new camera??
Phillip Weyers
Very interesting and great capture… you were waiting a while for this shot then?
Marleia Main
HeeHee YES! 17 Years lol :)) I hope to find out where they will spring up this year to find some more. They are wonderful insects!! Thank you Phillip :)))
jwinman
great shot!
Marleia Main replied
Hello :-) Thank you very much!! Love these guys!!
Sharon Perrett
Wow another stunning macro, fantastic detail
Marleia Main replied
Hi Sharon :) Thank you so much for commenting :)))))
jdmphotography
Your marco work is awesome ! .......... (-;
Marleia Main replied
Hey Mister :)) Thank you ever so :))
Tom Newman
Again a magnificent macro Marleia , a remarkable portfolio congratulations :-)
Marleia Main replied
Thank you Tom for your wonderful comments :-))
ApeArt
amazing!!!
Marleia Main replied
Thank you so much :))
alienfunk
You are so lucky to have witnessed these guys, I’ve only ever seen them on TV. Superb photo’s so clear and close you must tell me your secret. :+)
Marleia Main replied
Thank you so much :)) Have steady hands and hold your breath and you will great some great shots up close :))))
Marc Angelillo
Awesome. Looks like an old man rising from his 17 year slumber.
Marleia Main replied
Hi Marc :) He is adorable no?? I love Cicada’s!! Thank you so much :-)
Trudi's Images
Marleia Main replied
Thank you so much for featuring my cicada :-))))
Brendan Schoon
WOWZ, this is a great shot!! Very well done.
Brendan
Marleia Main replied
Hi Brendan :) Thank you so very much :)))
Scott Hendricks
Great Macro – Nice write up about the periodicals v annuals. Where I live we get the annuals in August every year and have to close windows in order to get some sleep. I see you shoot an E-510, I’m taking mine fishing with me this morning.
Marleia Main replied
Hi Scott .. Hope you have fun fishing :) I have a Nikon D300 and an Olympus E510 .. I love them both! They are quite different both do a great job!! Thank you for commenting :))
William Sanford
I guess after 17 years, the poor bugger was groggy and you happened to get him trying to wake up. ;) Great macro. I am shocked this isn’t featured more.
Marleia Main replied
Hello William :-) This guy was flying around with thousands of buddies and happened to land on me for a bit. He was so cute!! I fell in love instantly :) Thank you for commenting :)
Wayne Gerard T...
Incredible! How do you do this?
Marleia Main replied
Hi Wayne, Thank you so much :) I love bugs :)))
Vanessa Barklay
Marleia Main replied
Thank you so much vanessa :)
jesika
How did I miss this???
He’s fantastic, great macro, Marleia
j
Marleia Main replied
Thank you so very much Jesika :)))
richeb
So that is what those things look like. I have never seen one before.
Amazing!
Marleia Main replied
Thank you so much!! :)
itsallgoodamanda
fantastic, your album is excellent ,giving us all an amazing look into the insect world,your work is excellent .
Marleia Main replied
Thank you so very much :>)
Steve Bullock
Wow.. thats close! THanks for the info too, very cool
Marleia Main replied
Thank you so much Steve :) I can’t wait to find them again!! They are very cool :>)
Tamara Kenneally
serious detail here!!
Marleia Main replied
Thank you so very much Tamara :)))
ssphotographics 28 days ago
amazing pic …. and information too !!!!
すごい！！！
Marleia Main replied 27 days ago
Thank you so very much Mr. SS!! :)))
Tom Piorkowski 18 days ago
All I can say is WOW – great shot
Marleia Main replied 17 days ago
Thank you so much Tom :))))