Subject: Strange Beetle
Location: West Roxbury (Boston), MA
July 7, 2013 7:10 pm
Hi, hoping you can help identify this ”creature” for us!
This photo, taken by my daughter with an iPhone, was captured just a few minutes ago in West Roxbury, MA (part of Boston), Sunday evening, July 7, 2013, clinging to the side of a garage door. He’s pretty scary looking, and is fairly large at about 1 1/2 to 2 inches big. He was resting in a slight curled position. The weather here has been terribly hot & humid for days – seems like every bug in the world is out!
Any clue?
Signature: Carol & Hanna
Hi Carol & Hanna,
This is the Exuvia or shed skin of a Cicada. Cicada Exuviae are often found on tree trunks, fence posts and walls. Larval Cicadas live underground, and when it is time to metamorphose into winged adults, they dig to the surface, climb up off the ground and molt for the final time, emerging as winged adults.
Wow! Thank you so very much for the reply & info!! It’s so fascinating! We took the Cicada Exuvia off the door & saved it in a jar for my nephews & nieces who will just love this bit if nature!!
Thanks again for your expertise & wonderful website!
–Carol & Hanna