23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Metamorphosis

The cycada is undergoing a metamorphosis. It is moulting from the old nymph body to enter the adult stage. Its colours look especially outstanding as it has only just come out, and its new exoskeleton hasn’t fully hardened or developed its final pigments yet.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 12.2024
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Australia
Camera: ILCE-7M3
Copyright: © Alvise Dabalà