Eggs of extinct singing insect brought to Hampshire from France

Even if the eggs hatch successfully, conservationists face a lengthy wait.

The immature insects are believed to spend between four and 10 years underground feeding on plant roots before emerging as adults.

Only then could the final stage of the project begin, which would be releasing the cicadas at a carefully chosen secret location in the New Forest.

Charlotte Carne, programmes manager at the SRT, said researchers were still uncovering basic details about the insect’s life cycle.

“We’re really excited about the project because, by rearing the cicadas in captivity first, we are learning a lot about their life cycle and behaviour, much of which is still a mystery even to experts across Europe,” she said.

“We are now able to look forward to a time when we can once again walk through the New Forest in summer and hear hundreds of cicadas singing their hearts out.”