Exuviae cicada nymphs, India

May 2009. In Chhattisgarh, India during summer people make fires in the forest in order to more conveniently collect forest products. During recent visits people said that large number of skins of insects can be found where fires were present compared to unburnt plaes. Any comments?

http://pick14.pick.uga.edu/mp/20p?see=I_PAO3850&res=640
http://pick14.pick.uga.edu/mp/20p?see=I_PAO3849&res=640
http://pick14.pick.uga.edu/mp/20p?see=I_PAO3848&res=640
http://pick14.pick.uga.edu/mp/20p?see=I_PAO3847&res=640

Members said that the skins were the exuviae of cicada nymphs. The nymphs spend a number of years underground where they feed by sucking the sap from the roots of plants. Severe attacks can cause plants to wilt. The nymphs hatch out by emerging from the soil and climbing vegetation. The skin splits and the emerging cicada waits while air is circulated into their wings and these become full size. The wings then harden and the cicada flies off – in search of a mate. The males make the loud noise – calling the females. The mated females lay their eggs in small twigs – with a herringbone type of pattern. The eggs hatch out – normally in the next season – and the tiny cicada nymphs drop to the ground – burrowing down to seek small roots on which to feed.