Cicada Shell

Cicada nymphs grow up underground then as teenagers they leave the roots they've been dining on and come out into the open air for the first time. At that point they shed their skins on whatever surface they find nearby and emerge as adults. I wish I'd seen it happening.

I found this on a local tree. Usually you will find a group together but this was the only one I spotted. I like how he was perched on a strip of peeling bark and looked as if he was still alive - until you saw the split right down the centre back.