Suspected Cicada Found

NadsF · #1 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 02:12 PM

Hi all,

I am just a little excited and perhaps a little confused.

This morning I found a bug in the garden on our Japanese cloud tree, this bug was newly emerged and below it was a beetle like pupa.

There was also a large hole in the earth below the cloud tree (about 1 inch across). After some imaging searches I think this is a cicada.

Unfortunately when I returned with camera the adult had departed but I have kept the old skin and will upload a photo very shortly.

I am hoping someone will be able to help confirm ID (photo still loading) and also if this is a UK bug or an import.

Many thanks

NadsF · #2 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 02:31 PM

Pics now uploaded

NadsF · #3 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 02:40 PM

Oops - just noticed the Cicara sp rather than Cicada!!!! Sorry for the bad typos and spelling

RoyW · #4 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 03:13 PM

Hi (and welcome to WAB),

I don't really have the expertise to confirm that this is the shed skin of a cicada larva, but it does look like it might be.

The only part of Britain where cicadas currently exist is the New Forest, so if you are near there it might perhaps be a 'wild' one. Elsewhere it is likely to have been imported - it is worth noting that cicada species can spend a long time as larva before they emerge as adults (sometimes up to 17 years apparently) so, as trees are typically transported with a ball of earth around the roots, this may have been imported with the tree even if it has been in your garden for some time.

NadsF · #5 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 03:17 PM

I am a long way from the new forest - Rugby. But the tree was purchased from a local wyevale (unsure of where the treee originates, may have been grown in the UK).

I have had the tree for three years and will be monitoring it closely in case another emerges, with camera ready this time for the adult.

NadsF · #6 (**permalink**) 08-08-2010, 06:17 PM

Been doing a bit more digging and the adult was very much like the new forest cicada but think the wings were more opaque but this could be due to the new emergence.

Any more ideas, really quite excited about this

Jason Green · #7 (**permalink**) 10-08-2010, 01:32 PM

Afternoon Nads, and welcome to WAB!

Yes, pretty sure it's from a Cicada - very nice indeed! Two things to do - try and find out where the tree was grown from the supplier, and if it is from the UK then contact the Natural History Museum's entomology department to see what they say.

Keep us posted!

Take care,

Jason

whaleomeloette · #8 (**permalink**) 10-08-2010, 02:20 PM

wow exiting

i will keep an eye on this thread

NadsF · #9 (**permalink**) 14-08-2010, 07:19 AM

OK - thanks guys, now to compose an email to Wyvale

NadsF · #10 (**permalink**) 14-08-2010, 07:30 AM

Email sent to the natural history museum as follows;

Quote:

To whom it may concern,

Recently I found a newly emerged Cicada in my back garden. The insect had emerged from the pot of a tree purchased from Wyvale garden centre (then Blooms), in Rugby, 2-3 years ago.

I became very excited about this after some research as I understand that the UK only has one Cicada species that is currently endangered.

Unfortunately, the adult Cicada flew away before I had chance to get the camera. However I have kept the nymph shell and was wondering if it would be possible to get an identification from this.

I am unable to load photo's onto the website but would be able to forward pictures of the nymph if you could give me a direct email address.

Many thanks and kind regards

Nadine