Palapsalta vitellina

Palapsalta vitellina
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Auchenorrhyncha
Family:	Cicadidae
Genus:	Palapsalta
Species:	P. vitellina
Binomial name
	Palapsalta vitellina; (Ewart, 1989)
Synonyms
	Pauropsalta vitellinusEwart, 1989;

Last updated October 24, 2025

Palapsalta vitellina is a species of cicada, also known as the eastern river tree-buzzer, in the true cicada family, Cicadettinae subfamily and Cicadettini tribe. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1989 by Australian entomologist Anthony Ewart.^[1]

Etymology

The specific epithet vitellina is derived from Latin vitellinus (yellow, as in the yolk of an egg), with reference to body colouration.^[1]

Description

The length of the forewing is 21–26 mm.^[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species is widespread in Queensland, from Cardwell west to Julia Creek and south to Lemontree. Associated habitats include open eucalypt forest bordering inland rivers, swamps and open grassland, as well as on ridgetops.^[3]^[2]

Behaviour

Adult males may be heard from November to February, clinging to the upper branches of eucalypts, uttering sharp, repetitive, double-chirping calls.^[3]

References

1 2 3 Ewart, A (1989). "Revisionary notes on the genus Pauropsalta Goding and Froggatt (Homoptera: Cicadidae) with special reference to Queensland". Memoirs of the Queensland Museum. 27 (2): 289–375 [340]. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
1 2 "Species Palapsalta vitellina (Ewart, 1989)". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
1 2 3 "Eastern River Tree-buzzer Palapsalta vitellina (Ewart, 1989)". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-23.

This Cicadidae article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[ewart1989-1] 1 2 3 Ewart, A (1989). "Revisionary notes on the genus Pauropsalta Goding and Froggatt (Homoptera: Cicadidae) with special reference to Queensland". Memoirs of the Queensland Museum. 27 (2): 289–375 [340]. Retrieved 2025-10-23.

[afd-2] 1 2 "Species Palapsalta vitellina (Ewart, 1989)". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-23.

[popple-3] 1 2 3 "Eastern River Tree-buzzer Palapsalta vitellina (Ewart, 1989)". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-23.

[1]

[2]

[3]