Auscala
| Auscala | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Suborder: | Auchenorrhyncha |
| Family: | Cicadidae |
| Subfamily: | Cicadettinae |
| Tribe: | Cicadettini |
| Genus: | Auscala Moulds, 2012[1] |
Auscala is a genus of cicadas in the family Cicadidae, subfamily Cicadettinae and tribe Cicadettini. It was described in 2012 by Australian entomologist Maxwell Sydney Moulds. The cicadas are found in the dryer areas of south-western and south-eastern Australia.[1]
Etymology
The genus name Auscala combines ‘Aus' (for 'Australia’) with Latin cala (a piece of wood), alluding to the songs of the male cicadas, which sound like creaking tree branches.[1]
Species
As of 2025 there were two described species in the genus:[2]
- Auscala flammea Emery, Emery & Hutchinson, 2020 (Red Mallee Creaker)
- Auscala spinosa (Goding & Froggat, 1904) (Creaking Branch Cicada)
References
- ^ a b c Moulds, MS (2012). "A review of the genera of Australian cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadoidea)" (PDF). Zootaxa. 3287: 1–262 [57]. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
- ^ L.W. Popple (2025). "Genus Auscala Moulds, 2012". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. Retrieved 2025-09-09.