Holymna cicada
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They have many natural predators, including birds, reptiles, other insects, but most especially the [[Cicada hawk wasp|Cicada Hawk Wasp]]. The cicadas possess practically no defense mechanisms beyond flight, and their song seems to serve as an attractant to predators. The only other observable defense mechanism is the silencing of the song as danger or movement approaches, perhaps as an alert to other cicadas, which will continue to sing further away. Whether this continuation is to draw predators away from the endangered cicada is unknown. | They have many natural predators, including birds, reptiles, other insects, but most especially the [[Cicada hawk wasp|Cicada Hawk Wasp]]. The cicadas possess practically no defense mechanisms beyond flight, and their song seems to serve as an attractant to predators. The only other observable defense mechanism is the silencing of the song as danger or movement approaches, perhaps as an alert to other cicadas, which will continue to sing further away. Whether this continuation is to draw predators away from the endangered cicada is unknown. | ||
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- | Although sometimes popularly referred to as 'locusts', the cicada is unrelated specie to the grasshopper family. Colloquially, their molted skins, which are thin but strong, remain intact and attached to the tree bark in a very natural-looking position, albeit wingless | + | Although sometimes popularly referred to as 'locusts', the cicada is an unrelated specie to the grasshopper family. Colloquially, their molted skins, which are thin but strong, remain intact and attached to the tree bark in a very natural-looking position, albeit wingless, and are referred to as 'locust shells'. Despite the inaccuracy, this nickname persists. |
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Although sometimes popularly referred to as 'locusts', the cicada is an unrelated specie to the grasshopper family. Colloquially, their molted skins, which are thin but strong, remain intact and attached to the tree bark in a very natural-looking position, albeit wingless, and are referred to as 'locust shells'. Despite the inaccuracy, this nickname persists.
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