Calipsalta viridans

Calipsalta viridans
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Auchenorrhyncha
Family:	Cicadidae
Genus:	Calipsalta
Species:	C. viridans
Binomial name
	Calipsalta viridans; Moulds & Marshall, 2022

Last updated October 19, 2025

Calipsalta viridans is a species of cicada, also known as the green spinifex rattler, in the true cicada family, Cicadettinae subfamily and Cicadettini tribe. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2022 by Australian entomologists Maxwell Sydney Moulds and David C. Marshall.^[1]^[2]

Etymology

The species epithet viridans is derived from Latin virido (to make or become green), with reference to the cicadas' colouration.^[1]

Description

The length of the forewing is 20–23 mm.^[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species' range extends from central and northern Western Australia into far north South Australia. The associated habitat is low, open, shrubland with spinifex and other grasses.^[2]^[3]

Behaviour

Adults may be heard from December to February, uttering fine rattling or buzzing calls.^[3]

References

1 2 3 Moulds, MS; Marshall, DC (2022). "New genera and new species of Western Australian cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae)". Zootaxa. 5174 (5): 451–507 [488]. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5174.5.1. PMID 36095386 . Retrieved 2025-09-27.
1 2 3 "Genus Calipsalta Moulds & Marshall, 2022". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-17.
1 2 3 L.W. Popple (2025). "Green Spinifex Rattler Calipsalta viridans Moulds and Marshall, 2022". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. Retrieved 2025-09-27.

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[m&m2022-1] 1 2 3 Moulds, MS; Marshall, DC (2022). "New genera and new species of Western Australian cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae)". Zootaxa. 5174 (5): 451–507 [488]. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5174.5.1. PMID 36095386 . Retrieved 2025-09-27.

[afd-2] 1 2 3 "Genus Calipsalta Moulds & Marshall, 2022". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-17.

[popple-3] 1 2 3 L.W. Popple (2025). "Green Spinifex Rattler Calipsalta viridans Moulds and Marshall, 2022". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. Retrieved 2025-09-27.

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