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A Molting Cicada


A Molting Cicada
Photo Information
Copyright: Agoes SK (wieyos) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1115 W: 43 N: 2145] (8970)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-11-16
Categories: Macro
Camera: Pentax K20D, PENTAX DFA MACRO 100mm F2.8
Exposure: f/6.7, 1/15 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2008-11-25 7:46
Viewed: 321
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi Folks,

This is a new cicada, just emerged from its old skin and is drying itself. This is how it looked just few minutes earlier (notice and compare the wings) and this is even at a much earlier stage of emerging from the old skin.

I captured the process, called molting, at Tun Fuad Park, near Kota Kinabalu while outing with TL-ers.

After it dried itself and flew away, this is what left behind.

About the molting process:

Each stage in the development of an insect between molts is called an instar, or stadium. Endopterygota tend to have few instars (4-5), while other insects such as Exopterygota can have anywhere up to 15.

Endopterygota insects have more alternatives to molting, such as expansion of the cuticle and collapse of air sacs to allow growth of internal organs.

The process of molting in insects begins with the separation of the cuticle from the underlying epidermal cells (apolysis) and ends with the shedding of the old cuticle (ecdysis). In many of them it is initiated by an increase in the hormone ecdysone. This hormone causes:

•apolysis - the separation of the cuticle from the epidermis
•excretion of new cuticle beneath the old
•degradation of the old cuticle

After apolysis, molting fluid is secreted into the space between the old cuticle and the epidermis (the exuvial space), this contains inactive enzymes which are activated only after the new epicuticle is secreted.

This prevents them from digesting the new procuticle as it is laid down. The lower regions of the old cuticle - the endocuticle and mesocuticle - are then digested by the enzymes and subsequently absorbed. The exocuticle and epicuticle resist digestion and are hence shed at ecdysis. (from wikipedia).

Thanking you in advance for viewing and your kind words.

Agoes
boreocypriensis, kokos101, amai26, tsesler, boomcat, cunejo200, Rabani, mortcdz has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To kross1: Thank youwieyos 1 11-25 08:04
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Agoes,
How have you been? Great macro shot here. Not the most attractive creature but the details here are very good. I like the blurred BG allowing the Cicada to be clearly seen. Nice work.
Regards,
Kevin

  • Great 
  • karl Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 145 W: 43 N: 41] (726)
  • [2008-11-25 7:56]

excelent macro image of this very noisy fellow, focus and colours are really good

Hi Agoes,
A superb macro capture of a cicada while it was exhibiting a molting. Great scientific document indeed.
TFS and cheers,

Bayram

Adedeh... Beginila rupa dan kejadiannya gambar itu hari. Sangat-sangat berbaloi mengorbankan diri berhujan untuk capture ini moment. Cantik bah ni... kalau diikut lumrah dan tafsiran TL, bukan ikut Ujang punya tafsiran. :)

Ndan.

hello agoes!!
wonderful moment, great photo.
tfs
zoran

Hi Agoes,
Wonderful macro..Very beautiful details and tone.Congrats!!!Best Wishes,
Deniz:)

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 592 W: 0 N: 957] (4596)
  • [2008-11-25 17:15]

Salam Agoes,
wishing you the best.
A nice natural capture of the insect. Still frresh and moist.
Excellent presentation in superbs clarity and beauty.

Regards,
Foozi

NB: Jusni di sana sihat dan sedang giat beribadat.

Gaman,

wah korang pigi trekking lagi, time hujan lagi tu, sia tabik sama kamurang lah.

Kejadian yang hanya berlaku setahun sekali bah nie, "tonggir" kadi dusun...hehhe.

p/s bah bila mau pi minum2 nie, mau cerita2....:)

regards
steve

Hi Agoes,
Great macro picture well presented and composed,
Excellent POV. and sharpness,
good colors and light.
Very well done.
Michel

Hi Agoes,
it is an amazing capture with incredible timing and,
the droplets and other detailes are very impressive while is drying itself,
the spectacular green bg add a lot here,
welldone my dear friend and tfs,
warm regards,
Taner

cantik.. you are in the right place at the right time..merah2 pula nampak lepas tukar kulit.. tajam juga mata.. nice macro shot.. good one ne.. tfs..

regards, nong

Hello Agoes,
This is a superb depiction of cicada's metamorphosis. Well composed and exposed. This reminds me of a few summers back when the 17-year old cicadas emerged in full force, there was so much sound and chirpings for months. Lovely venation and details on the wings. My best regards...Danilo

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1489 W: 123 N: 2164] (19817)
  • [2008-11-26 10:15]

Hello Agoes, a very interresting shot! Great macro with lots of good details and a perfect exposure, well done!

Mario

  • Great 
  • trekks Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2016 W: 144 N: 3390] (13589)
  • [2008-11-26 18:16]

hello Agoes

It must be still wet and unable to fly for this insect and this is the time that allows you to be FL100mm away. Credit for your observation of such a spot in the tree, you really need a sharp eye for it.

The focus is a bit slack, otherwise you could probably do some cropping. Good bokeh.

I find the shell body to be very interesting here with the legs clamped onto the trunk. Very educational shot. Great work.

tfs, bill

  • Great 
  • rigz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 159 W: 0 N: 85] (1066)
  • [2008-11-26 22:27]

Assalamuallaikum Agoes,

Wah...ini betul-betul rezeki dapat ambil gambar macam ini. Subject was nicely focused and captured. Great sharpness and details. Excellent shot. Well done!

TFS,
Geoffrey Bin Ramji

Hi Agoes,

a cicada spends much of its time maturing underground. this is a sight to behold.

i a n

Assalammualaikum Gus,

Photography is a matter of visual opinion. Even though the exposure setting and angle is different between varied photos of the same subject, it means the same thing. And that's the cool thing about photography. Each and everyone of us, can really show visually and with less words ( and therefore misunderstanding ) what each and everyone of us, how we see things. And even though yours and mine is different in colors and technique, it boils down to the same thing. It bears the same name.

It's good to be different. That way, we are masters of our own ways and...neither a disciple nor a master to anyone. But always, a student of each other works. Maybe, that's the reason all this while,I just point the way, and let you do the rest.

And wait.

Wassalam
Bani

Hi Agoes,
Actually that's quite a disgusting moment from this close-up view :), but the macro technique is amazing here. Perfect timing for the moment and excellent sharpness and details with nicely soft background. Thanks for the note, too! Great presentation.
Greetings,
Kristof

really cool shot,I wonder how you do such a perfect macro shots of this tiny creature very timing and really informative notes too.

cheers
cris(",)

Sharp details, rich colours and a strong composition - a well presented macro of a realy interesting process.
Thanks for sharing
Mark

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