Cicada Exoskeleton (Nymphal Exuviae)

Natural Habitat

Cicada nymphs live underground, feeding on tree roots. The exoskeletons (exuviae) are found on tree trunks, branches, and other vertical surfaces after the nymph emerges to molt into an adult.

Diet & Feeding

Cicada nymphs feed on the xylem fluid (sap) from the roots of trees and woody plants using their sucking mouthparts. Adult cicadas also feed on xylem fluid from plant stems and branches.

Behavior Patterns

This image shows the shed exoskeleton (exuviae) of a cicada nymph. Cicada nymphs spend years underground. When they are ready to become adults, they dig their way out of the soil, climb onto a vertical surface, and molt, leaving behind this empty shell. The adult cicada then flies away, typically to mate.

Risks & Benefits

Cicada exuviae themselves pose no risks. Cicadas as a whole are generally beneficial to the ecosystem; their tunneling aerates the soil, and they provide a significant food source for many animals. They can cause minor damage to young trees during egg-laying, but this is usually not severe for mature trees.

Identified on: 10/3/2025