Neopsaltoda

Neopsaltoda
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Clade: Pancrustacea
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha
Infraorder: Cicadomorpha
Superfamily: Cicadoidea
Family: Cicadidae
Subfamily: Cicadinae
Genus: Neopsaltoda
Distant, 1910

Neopsaltoda is a monotypic genus of cicadas in the family Cicadidae, that is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1910 by English entomologist William Lucas Distant.

Species

There is a single species in the genus:

Neopsaltoda crassa Distant, 1910 is also known as the dark knight.

Description

The length of the forewing is 38–45 mm.

Distribution and habitat

The species is restricted to the McIlwraith Range of the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, where it inhabits vine thicket scrub with she-oaks or paperbarks.

Behaviour

Adults can be heard from late December to January, clinging to the upper branches of the trees, uttering strong, rich, pulsing calls.

References

  1. 1 2 Distant, WL (1921). "Australian Cicadidae with remarks on some recent disputation". Annales de la Société Entomologique de Belgique (Comptes-rendus). 54: 415–420 [415–416].
  2. ↑ "Species Neopsaltoda crassa Distant, 1910". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  3. 1 2 3 4 L.W. Popple (2025). "Dark Knight Neopsaltoda crassa Distant, 1910". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. Retrieved 2025-08-25.