Who is making this fortification out of mud balls? And why?
Standing around staring at the mudpile at the tunnel opening we were guessing the builder was a misguided crawdad. Instead, it seems to be a cicada nymph emerging. In the second photo the critter is pushing a mud-ball into place at the top of the tunnel.
But why would an emerging cicada bother enlarging its tunnel and making a fort around the entrance? Is it planning to flip this remodeled home? We watched the critter come to the surface many times and push a slimy mud ball into place. Then it would disappear back down into the tunnel for a long time.
Nature is just so very weird!
© 2012 Nancy L. Ruder
1 comment:
I'm weird, too! (Naturally.)
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