Cicada shell

A cicada shell (セミのぬけがら, Semi no nuke gara) is a bug that can be caught in. Technically, it is just the skin left behind by a cicada nymph, making it the only bug in the game that is not alive. Cicada shells can be found on trees; the player can run of walk past the trees without scarring the bug away. The only way to make the cicada shell disappear is to shake the tree or hit the tree with an axe, causing it to drop to the ground and disappear.

Donating to the Museum
As with all insects in the Animal Crossing series, Cicada Shells can be donated to the Museum followed by a small talk by Blathers, the curator.

In New Leaf
"Cicada larvae emerge from the ground in the evening and molt on trees, leaving behind empty shells. It's possible to find out the species of cicadas just by looking at these shells. Collecting the shells will tell you how many and what kind of cicadas inhabit a certain area."

It can be found in the top section of the upper right room in the bug habitat of the museum, with the other cicadas.