Cicadas: Indoor Molting For Dummies

Photo belongs to jasonb42882

We all know how hard the final molting season can be on you nymphs - digging tunnels...seeing the light of day for the first time...and most important on the summer agenda, finding a decent place to actually molt. But a recent personal experience of mine proves that molting agendas do not always go as planned. Let's say you unexpectedly get stuck indoors when the time comes...what then? Well, I've got a few creative interior location ideas just in case any of you nymphs are faced with just such a dilemma.

1. House plants
A bit closer to home than your average indoors, house plants are the ideal choice. Fake plants will work too...though you've hit the jackpot if you get locked inside a greenhouse.

2. Tall cat tree/scratching post
With a thick trunk and a height to match, sometimes a cat tree is as close to the real thing as you're going to get. Though I can't guarantee there's no cats attached.

3. Blanket/towel/drapery
Nice and soft, your best bet is a hamper or the dirty floor so as to go unnoticed. Something especially scratchy will be fairly easy clinging material.

4. Paper towel/tissue roll
Now we're getting a little dangerous. If that happens to be the wrong place and you're there at the wrong time, then you're in trouble. For the daredevil or particularly fast molter.

5. Power cords
A safe, out-of-the-way option for the more technically-inclined. Easy to grip, too. It worked for a cicada friend of mine, why not you?

So there you have it. Five molting alternatives to your average tree. That's actually the easy part - the difficulty lies in looking for a safe exit once you're out and ready to go. Because you just know you're not going to fly with most humans.