Yoyetta verrens

Yoyetta verrens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha
Family: Cicadidae
Genus: Yoyetta
Species:
Y. verrens
Binomial name
Yoyetta verrens
Emery, Emery & Popple, 2019[1][2]

Yoyetta verrens is a species of cicada, also known as the sweeping firetail, in the true cicada family, Cicadettinae subfamily and Cicadettini tribe. The species is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2019 by Australian entomologists David L. Emery, Nathan J. Emery and Lindsay Popple.[1][2]

Etymology

The specific epithet verrens (Latin: “sweeping”) refers to the sweeping nature of the calling song in flight.[1]

Description

The length of the forewing is 28–32 mm. Body length is 22–26 mm.[1][3]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs from Springbrook National Park in south-east Queensland south-westwards to Torrington State Conservation Area in northern New South Wales, with an isolated population near Kinglake in Victoria. Associated habitats include montane eucalypt forest and woodland.[3][2]

Behaviour

Adult males may be heard from December to January, clinging to the upper branches of tall eucalypts, including stringybarks, and emitting high-frequency, upwardly inflected "sssseeep, sssseeep, sssseeep" calls when in flight.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Emery, DL; Emery, NJ; Popple, LW (2019). "A Revision of the Yoyetta abdominalis (Distant) Species Group of Cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadettinae), Introducing Eight New Species". Records of the Australian Museum. 71 (7): 277–347 [332]. doi:10.3853/j.2201-4349.71.2019.1720. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  2. ^ a b c "Species Yoyetta verrens Emery, Emery & Popple, 2019". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
  3. ^ a b c "Sweeping Firetail Yoyetta verrens Emery, Emery and Popple, 2019". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-19.