Pauropsalta katherina

Pauropsalta katherina
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Auchenorrhyncha
Family:	Cicadidae
Genus:	Pauropsalta
Species:	P. katherina
Binomial name
	Pauropsalta katherina; Owen & Moulds, 2016

Last updated October 29, 2025

Pauropsalta katherina is a species of cicada, also known as Kathy's squawker, in the true cicada family, Cicadettinae subfamily and Cicadettini tribe. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2016 by entomologists Christopher Owen and Maxwell Sydney Moulds.^[1]

Etymology

The specific epithet katherina, from Latinised Greek alkaterine (‘pure’), the origin of the English name ‘Katherine’, thus honouring Kathy Hill for her contributions to the systematics of Australian cicadas.^[1]

Description

The length of the forewing is 16–20 mm.^[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in arid areas of inland Australia, from Western Australia eastwards through the Northern Territory to the eastern edge of the Simpson Desert in western Queensland. The associated habitat is spinifex grassland.^[3]^[2]

Behaviour

Adult males may be heard in January and February, following rainfall, clinging to spinifex grass stems, emitting irregular, loud, low-pitched zeeep calls.^[3]

References

1 2 3 Owen, CL; Moulds, MS (2016). "Systematics and phylogeny of the Australian cicada genus Pauropsalta Goding and Froggatt, 1904 and allied genera (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadettini)" (PDF). Records of the Australian Museum. 68 (4): 117–200 [157]. Retrieved 2025-10-24.
1 2 "Species Pauropsalta katherina Owen & Moulds, 2016". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-26.
1 2 3 "Kathy's Squawker Pauropsalta katherina Owen and Moulds, 2016". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-26.

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[o&m2016-1] 1 2 3 Owen, CL; Moulds, MS (2016). "Systematics and phylogeny of the Australian cicada genus Pauropsalta Goding and Froggatt, 1904 and allied genera (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadettini)" (PDF). Records of the Australian Museum. 68 (4): 117–200 [157]. Retrieved 2025-10-24.

[afd-2] 1 2 "Species Pauropsalta katherina Owen & Moulds, 2016". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-26.

[popple-3] 1 2 3 "Kathy's Squawker Pauropsalta katherina Owen and Moulds, 2016". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-26.

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