A new Cicada genus and a redescription of Pauropsalta subolivacea Ashton (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from Eastern Australia

Abstract

We erect a new genus (Samaecicada gen. nov.) for Pauropsalta subolivacea and provide the first description of the female. The acutely extended, straight to slightly inward facing upper lobes of the pygofer, in combination with undeveloped basal pygofer lobes and lack of pseudoparameres, distinguishes this new monotypic genus from all others in the tribe Cicadettini. Observations indicate that its seasonal emergence is erratic and adults are short-lived. Recent specimens have been captured on medium sized shrubs, notably Hakea sp., in open woodland containing Angophora costata trees on sandstone ridges. Show more