Only a few survive to adulthood. Over the next three months, the nymphs will molt ten times as they grow to adult. With each molt, the nymph dangles from a thread, splits the exoskeleton and wriggles free. After each molt, the nymph is milky white, but then darkens, changing color to match its chosen territory, ranging from green to brown. After the final molt, the color is permanent.
Colors tend toward brown in dry years and green in wet.
When the nymph reaches adulthood, it is ready to mate, usually in the fall. The female releases an odor that attracts the male. The female, heavy with eggs, is six times the size of the male. The male approaches cautiously and climbs on the female's back. In some cases, the female may reach back and bite off the head of the male.