Neopsaltoda

Neopsaltoda
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha
Infraorder: Cicadomorpha
Superfamily: Cicadoidea
Family: Cicadidae
Subfamily: Cicadinae
Genus: Neopsaltoda
Distant, 1910

Neopsaltoda is a monotypic genus of cicadas in the family Cicadidae, that is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1910 by English entomologist William Lucas Distant.[1]

Species

There is a single species in the genus:[2]

Neopsaltoda crassa Distant, 1910[1] is also known as the dark knight.[3]

Description

The length of the forewing is 38–45 mm.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species is restricted to the McIlwraith Range of the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, where it inhabits vine thicket scrub with she-oaks or paperbarks.[3]

Behaviour

Adults can be heard from late December to January, clinging to the upper branches of the trees, uttering strong, rich, pulsing calls.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Distant, WL (1921). "Australian Cicadidae with remarks on some recent disputation". Annales de la Société Entomologique de Belgique (Comptes-rendus). 54: 415–420 [415–416].
  2. ^ "Species Neopsaltoda crassa Distant, 1910". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  3. ^ a b c d L.W. Popple (2025). "Dark Knight Neopsaltoda crassa Distant, 1910". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. Retrieved 2025-08-25.