Popplepsalta tremula

Popplepsalta tremula
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha
Family: Cicadidae
Genus: Popplepsalta
Species:
P. tremula
Binomial name
Popplepsalta tremula
(Popple, 2013)[1][2]
Synonyms
  • Pauropsalta tremula Popple, 2013

Popplepsalta tremula is a species of cicada, also known as the maraca squeaker, in the true cicada family, Cicadettinae subfamily and Cicadettini tribe. The species is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2013 by Australian entomologist Lindsay Popple.[1][2]

Description

The length of the forewing is 15–18 mm.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in inland south-eastern Queensland from Carnarvon Gorge and Eidsvold southwards to Goondiwindi, Inglewood and the Leslie Dam. Associated habitats include open sclerophyll forest and woodland with red gum, box and ironbark eucalypts.[3][2]

Behaviour

Adult males may be heard from October to February, clinging to the upper branches and foliage of eucalypts, emitting lilting, maraca-like, chirping calls.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Popple, LW (2013). "A revision of the Pauropsalta annulata Goding & Froggatt species group (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) based on morphology, calling songs and ecology, with investigations into calling song structure, molecular phylogenetic relationships and a case of hybridisation between two subspecies". Zootaxa. 3730: 1–102 [37]. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3730.1.1.
  2. ^ a b c "Species Popplepsalta tremula (Popple, 2013)". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  3. ^ a b c "Maraca Squeaker Popplepsalta tremula (Popple, 2013)". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-05.