Periodical Cicada Nymph Shell

Natural Habitat

Found on trees, grass, and vertical structures after emerging from underground burrows in forested or suburban areas.

Diet & Feeding

As nymphs, they feed on xylem sap from the roots of deciduous trees; adults feed sparingly on plant fluids.

Behavior Patterns

Spend 13 or 17 years underground before emerging en masse as nymphs to molt into winged adults; they leave behind these hollow, tan exoskeletons.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans; they benefit the ecosystem by aerating soil, providing a huge food source for wildlife, and adding nutrients back to the earth.

Identified on: 6/3/2026