Atrapsalta encaustica

Atrapsalta encaustica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Auchenorrhyncha
Family:	Cicadidae
Genus:	Atrapsalta
Species:	A. encaustica
Binomial name
Atrapsalta encaustica (Germar, 1834) [1] [2]
Synonyms
Cicada encausticaGermar, 1834 Cicada arclusWalker, 1850 Cicada juvenisWalker, 1850

Atrapsalta encaustica is a species of cicada, also known as the black squeaker, in the true cicada family, Cicadettinae subfamily and Cicadettini tribe. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1834 by German entomologist Ernst Friedrich Germar. ^{[1] [2]}

Description

The length of the forewing is 15–18 mm. ^[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in some elevated areas of south-eastern Queensland, the Warrumbungles, Pilliga Scrub and Blue Mountains of New South Wales, the range extending southwards along the coast to the Victorian border. The associated habitat includes open forest as well as both montane heath and coastal temperate heathland. ^{[2] [3]}

Behaviour

Adults are heard from September to March, the males clinging to the trunks of eucalypts, uttering high-pitched calls in bright sunshine. ^[3]

References

1. Germar, EF (1834). "Observations sur plusieurs espèces du genre Cicada, Latr". Revue Entomologique (Silbermann). 2: 49–82 [62].
2. "Species Atrapsalta encaustica (Germar, 1834)". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
3. L.W. Popple (2025). "Black Squeaker Atrapsalta encaustica (Germar, 1834)". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. Retrieved 2025-09-24.