Pyropsalta patula

Pyropsalta patula
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha
Family: Cicadidae
Genus: Pyropsalta
Species:
P. patula
Binomial name
Pyropsalta patula
Moulds & Marshall, 2022[1][2]

Pyropsalta patula is a species of cicada, also known as the pale bandit, in the true cicada family, Cicadettinae subfamily and Cicadettini tribe. The species is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2022 by entomologists Maxwell Sydney Moulds and David C. Marshall.[1][2]

Etymology

The specific epithet patula, from Latin patulus ('broad' or 'wide open'), refers to the enlarged tymbal cavity of the species.[1]

Description

The length of the forewing is 17–23 mm.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species is only known from the extreme south-west of Western Australia, in the Jarrah Forest bioregion. The holotype specimen was collected at Nannup. Associated habitats are grassy woodland and shrubland.[3][2]

Behaviour

Adult males may be heard from November to January, while clinging to the stems of grasses.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c Moulds, MS; Marshall, DC (2022). "New genera and new species of Western Australian cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae)". Zootaxa. 5174 (5): 451–507 [498]. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5174.5.1. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
  2. ^ a b c "Species Pyropsalta patula Moulds & Marshall, 2022". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
  3. ^ a b c "Pale Bandit Pyropsalta patula Moulds and Marshall, 2022". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-08.