The last molt of the cicada is the longest and the only one to take place outdoors. The insect prepares for it by digging a vertical gallery that it opens on D-Day, at night or early in the morning. When it comes out, it heads for nearby plant support on which it settles while waiting for the most important and dangerous moment of its life: its imaginal molt. The skin on its back then slowly splits following repeated contractions and reveals the adult cicada - or imago - tinged with brown and gray. The head and the thorax come out first, then the envelope tilts backwards. When the back is released, the wings slowly unfold. The cicada then clings to its exuvia, waiting for its wings to finish drying. After three hours, if it has managed to escape its predators, it can take flight and begin its short aerial life.