Discovering the Life Cycle of Cicadas

What is a cicada called when it first emerges from its larval state underground?

Final answer: A cicada when it first emerges from its larval state underground is called a nymph, undergoing an incomplete metamorphosis before emerging as a winged adult.

Answer:

A cicada when it first emerges from its larval state underground is called a nymph, which undergoes an incomplete metamorphosis before transforming into a winged adult.

When a cicada first emerges from its larval state underground, it is known as a nymph. During this phase, the nymph stage is typically wingless and retains a larva-like form while continuing to grow in size. Cicadas, like other insects, go through a process called metamorphosis, which consists of distinct life cycle stages: egg, larva (or nymph for certain insects), pupa, and adult.

Unlike insects that undergo complete metamorphosis with a pupal stage where significant structural changes occur, cicadas experience incomplete metamorphosis. This means that the nymph hatches from the egg, sheds its exoskeleton multiple times as it matures, and eventually emerges as a winged adult ready to mate and reproduce.

It is essential to understand that each stage of a cicada's life cycle is specialized for specific functions and habitats. The larval or nymph stage, for example, is adapted for particular forms of feeding and living conditions, such as residing underground for cicadas. These insects are also known for their remarkable phenomenon of synchronized mass emergence after spending years developing underground.