Benjamin Carr, Ph.D. 👨🏻‍💻🧬 (@BenjaminHCCarr@hachyderm.io)

To climb trees, #cicadas look to the shadowsA shadow-sensing skill known as skototaxis helps cicadas find trees to molt onAcross dozens of recorded trajectories, the insects deviated only slightly from the most direct route. This hinges on the cicadas’ ability to detect dark shapes against paler backgrounds in the dim evening light. That cue guides the nymphs to the vertical surfaces they must climb to become winged adults. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/cicadas-climb-trees-shadowshttps://archive.ph/WOf9g