Pauropsalta mneme

Pauropsalta mneme
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Auchenorrhyncha
Family:	Cicadidae
Genus:	Pauropsalta
Species:	P. mneme
Binomial name
Pauropsalta mneme (Walker, 1850) [1] [2]
Synonyms
Cicada mnemeWalker, 1850 Cicada anticaWalker, 1850 Pauropsalta leurensGoding & Froggatt, 1904

Pauropsalta mneme is a species of cicada, also known as the alarm clock squawker, in the true cicada family, Cicadettinae subfamily and Cicadettini tribe. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1850 by English entomologist Francis Walker. ^[1]

Description

The length of the forewing is 20–26 mm. ^[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in south-eastern Australia from Applethorpe in south-east Queensland, southwards along the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range through New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, and into Victoria as far west as the Grampians, with an isolated population in the Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia. Associated habitats include open eucalypt forest and temperate heathland on sandstone, granite or metasedimentary rocks. ^{[3] [2]}

Behaviour

Adult males may be heard from September to February, clinging to tree trunks, emitting repetitive calls characterised by a series of soft clicks followed by a rattling buzz, a sound like that of a mechanical alarm clock. ^[3]

References

1. Walker, F (1850). List of the specimens of homopterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. Part 1. London: British Museum. pp. 1–260.
2. "Species Pauropsalta mneme (Walker, 1850)". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-29.
3. "Alarm Clock Squawker Pauropsalta mneme (Walker, 1850)". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-29.