Plerapsalta incipiens

Plerapsalta incipiens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha
Family: Cicadidae
Genus: Plerapsalta
Species:
P. incipiens
Binomial name
Plerapsalta incipiens
(Walker, 1850)[1][2]
Synonyms
  • Cicada incipiens Walker, 1850
  • Cicadetta incipiens (Walker, 1850)
  • Pauropsalta incipiens Goding & Froggatt, 1904
  • Melampsalta incipiens Distant, 1906
  • Melampsalta murrayensis Distant, 1907

Plerapsalta incipiens is a species of cicada, also known as the pygmy yellowtail or tiny ambertail, in the true cicada family, Cicadettinae subfamily and Cicadettini tribe. The species is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1850 by English entomologist Francis Walker.[1][2]

Description

The length of the forewing is 13–14 mm.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs from central and southern Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria and south-eastern South Australia. The associated habitat is riverine woodland.[3][2]

Behaviour

Adult males may be heard from September to February, clinging to grass stems before moving to the trunks and upper branches of trees, emitting short, high-frequency, buzzing calls, monotonously repeated during bright sunshine.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Walker, F (1850). List of the specimens of homopterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. Part 1. London: British Museum. pp. 1–260 [189].
  2. ^ a b c "Species Plerapsalta incipiens (Walker, 1850)". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
  3. ^ a b c "Pygmy Yellowtail Plerapsalta incipiens (Walker, 1850)". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-03.