Well into her ‘practicing backflips’ stage, Betsy the Cicada has now freed her hindlegs, which, as can be seen in these zoom-in stereovideos, have teeny-tiny spines on them. These are so small I didn’t notice them in person! Based on hindleg spines in other species, these are probably to help Betsy jump—useful not only for merely jumping, but also to get a headstart when flying.
‘Baby dragon phase’ coming next!
TAGS: insects > cicadas > Betsy the Cicada, cicada ecdysis, Neotibicen; ecdysis
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