I think they like it here

  Last year was the first time that I had ever seen one.  Without the positive identity from my cousin, Fred, I would have never known that this was even a different species than what is normally found around here.  Beameria venosa....or teeny, tiny cicada is the critter in question and come to find out, it is something that few folks see. We are accustomed to seeing the rather large cicadas.  The type we have on the Bayou can reach to nigh on three inches in length but this little guy is no where near that size.  It is not much bigger than the head of a nail!

  Now that I have seen one of the critters, I cannot seem to escape from them!  The little guys seem to love the greenhouse and during the summer months can often be seen clinging to the boards.  After they molt, their little cast off skins stay stuck to the boards like some weird Halloween decorations.  That cast off skin actually has a name.  Exuvia is hard to spell and even harder for me to pronounce so I will just keep calling them cicada sheds.  Lots easier.

  The little cicadas, along with the huge ones, have been crawling out from underground for the past few weeks.  The critters crawl to a vertical place to molt, then hang there for hours as their bodies harden. Once that is complete, they take flight to the nearest tree and at nightfall, start their buzzing songs.  Add their nightly din to the cacaphony that rises from the Frog Pond and it can be quite deafening on the Bayou.  I sure would not trade my open windows for all of the fancy, sealed up houses of other folks.  It would sadden me to be unable to hear my critter friends as they fill the air with their songs.  Mother Nature is beautiful!

The Teeny Tiny Cicada!

  While most cicadas that I encounter here on the Bayou are quite large, I came across one yesterday morning that was the tiniest thing that I have ever seen!  It is adorable! I oohed and ahhed over the little guy for a bit and tried my best to gather interest from anyone who would listen.  No one was even remotely amused.  It seems that everyone is far too busy to marvel over a bug.  Not me.  I marveled.

  After staring at the little squirt for a bit, I left it where it was and headed down to cut a new path in the woods.  While I worked, I pondered the cicada and its size.  When I finally finished, I checked on my new-found friend.  The critter was still hanging on the same post near the Frog Pond.  So far, the little thing was safe!  

I hung a shed of a cicada that we normally find on the Bayou next to the shed of the newcomer for size comparison.

  Now I am wondering if this is a different species of cicada than is usually found here or am I just not seeing these little guys because of their diminutive size.  Perhaps a new breed is making the Bayou home! That would be exciting!  I did a bit of research and the closest thing I can find is a tiny cicada called Beameria venosa.  Being under an inch in length, this cicada is the smallest in North America!  And just think....I found one!  Maybe.  Since I am not an entomologist, I am just guessing at the identity.  The size sure fits the description, though!  But, rest assured, I am asking for help with the identity of my little cicada. My cousin is an endless source of knowledge so I sent the picture to him. Hopefully, he will be able to shed a little light on my bug!  I will let you know!  

****I love prompt answers!   My cousin seems to think that this is the cicada that I mentioned earlier.  I feel quite smug with myself for researching and possibly making a correct identity!  If you have the time, hop on over to visit his blog.  I am sure you will not be disappointed.  It is a good read and Fred is an amazing photographer!  
http://www.fragmentsfromfloyd.com/