PGF Leaf #14 - Cicada Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Each of the geocaches in the PGF Leaf series will highlight an animal that can be found in the Starkey Wilderness Preserve. While searching for the PGF Leaf caches, and while hiking in any wilderness area, please remember ... this is the animal's home - you are merely a guest. Be respectful of natural communities, and leave nothing behind but footprints.
Cachers are invited to upload pictures they take of each animal subject - as long as the picture was actually taken within the boundaries of the Starkey Wilderness Park.
Cicada
Rarely seen, but often heard, cicadas are a winged insect that produce a distinctive background song on hot summer days. The males of the species create the sound, which is amongst the loudest of all insect produced sounds.
There are many cicada species, ranging in color from brown to black. They have almost clear wings except for the prominent veining. They have small, but prominent, eyes.
Cicadas live underground for most of their lives, feeding off tree roots during this stage as nymphs. When they emerge from the ground they attach themselves to a plant and molt, leaving their skins behind. It is not uncommon to find these abandoned exoskeletons in Starkey Park. As adults they mate and the female uses her proboscis to deposit eggs deep into the bark of a tree twig. Once hatched, the nymphs drop onto the ground and burrow into the ground.
Cicadas are generally considered harmless to humans. They do not bite or sting. Although if a cicada lands on you and you allow it to stay for long, it may mistake you as a place to lay eggs and pierce your skin - which can be a painful experience.
This cache was placed by a member of the PGF Leaf team and is maintained by the WestPascoEventTeam
The PGF Leaf Project is a geocaching series placed with the cooperation and permission of Pasco County Parks & Recreation Department, Pasco Department of Tourism, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)