Birrima varians

Birrima varians
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Auchenorrhyncha
Family:	Cicadidae
Genus:	Birrima
Species:	B. varians
Binomial name
Birrima varians (Germar, 1834) [1] [2]
Synonyms
Cicada variansGermar, 1834

Birrima varians is a species or species complex of cicadas, also known as the Black Tree-ticker, 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 24–32 mm. ^[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species complex is found in subtropical and warm temperate areas of eastern Australia, from the Atherton Tableland in north-eastern Queensland, southwards to Armidale in northern New South Wales. The associated habitat is open forest, especially with Eucalyptus tereticornis . ^{[2] [3]}

Behaviour

Adults may be heard from August to March, sometimes to May, clinging to trees, shrubs and artificial structures, or flying about actively, uttering slow, repeated zeeeet calls. ^[3]

Black Tree-ticker

References

1. Germar, EF (1834). "Observations sur plusieurs espèces du genre Cicada, Latr". Revue Entomologique (Silbermann). 2: 49–82 [59].
2. "Species Birrima varians (Germar, 1834)". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
3. L.W. Popple (2025). "Black Tree-ticker Birrima varians (Germar, 1834)". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. Retrieved 2025-09-26.