I photographed this Cicada Without A Body on my deck here in Arkansas. I read that Cicadas with missing abdomens are usually victims of a fungal infection.
Since the digestive and reproductive systems are not essential for survival, mature Cicadas—which have a maximum lifespan of a few weeks—can endure this for a while.
I read that they call these Zombie Cicadas:
Zombie Cicadas are a colloquial term used to describe cicadas that have been infected by the fungal pathogen Massospora. The infection causes the cicadas to engage in unusual and erratic behavior, such as excessive jumping and twitching, and it also causes them to lose their abdomen. This leaves them unable to mate or feed, and ultimately leads to their death. The fungal infection also spreads to other cicadas, allowing the fungus to continue to spread. The term “zombie cicadas” is used due to the zombie-like behavior exhibited by infected cicadas, and because the fungal infection essentially turns them into vectors for the spread of the pathogen.
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: RF100-500 mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Technical:
- Location: My Yard (Arkansas)
- Date and Time Taken: July 5, 2022 (08:51 A. M.)
- Exposure Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f7.1
- Shutter speed: 1/500
- ISO: 640 (Auto)
- White Balance: Auto
- Metering Mode: Evaluative
- Back-button Focus
- Animal Eye Single Point Auto Focus
- Exposure Compensation: +1/2
- Focal Length: 500 mm