Pauropsalta confinis

Pauropsalta confinis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha
Family: Cicadidae
Genus: Pauropsalta
Species:
P. confinis
Binomial name
Pauropsalta confinis
Owen & Moulds, 2016[1][2]

Pauropsalta confinis is a species of cicada, also known as the seismic squawker, in the true cicada family, Cicadettinae subfamily and Cicadettini tribe. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2016 by entomologists Christopher Owen and Maxwell Sydney Moulds.[1]

Etymology

The specific epithet confinis (Latin: ‘neighbouring’ or ‘adjoining’) refers to the positioning of the forewing veins.[1]

Description

The length of the forewing is 19–23 mm.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in inland Western Australia, Lake Gilles in South Australia,and in the Tarawi and Nombinnie Nature Reserves in central New South Wales. The associated habitat is mallee eucalypt woodland.[3][2]

Behaviour

Adult males may be heard from late November to early March, clinging to the branches of mallee eucalypts, emitting persistent pulsing and buzzing songs.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c Owen, CL; Moulds, MS (2016). "Systematics and phylogeny of the Australian cicada genus Pauropsalta Goding and Froggatt, 1904 and allied genera (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadettini)" (PDF). Records of the Australian Museum. 68 (4): 117–200 [141]. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
  2. ^ a b "Species Pauropsalta confinis Owen & Moulds, 2016". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-25.
  3. ^ a b c "Seismic Squawker Pauropsalta confinis Owen and Moulds, 2016". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-25.