Physeema

Physeema
Physeema quadricincta
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Auchenorrhyncha
Infraorder:	Cicadomorpha
Superfamily:	Cicadoidea
Family:	Cicadidae
Subfamily:	Cicadettinae
Genus:	Physeema Moulds, 2012 [1]

Physeema labyrinthica, Adelaide, Australia

Physeema is a genus of cicadas, mostly known as tickers, in the family Cicadidae, subfamily Cicadettinae and tribe Cicadettini. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2012 by Australian entomologist Maxwell Sydney Moulds. ^[1]

Etymology

The genus name Physeema is derived from Greek physema (a ‘bubble’ or ‘something inflated’) with reference to the swelling at the base of the male operculum. ^[1]

Species

As of 2025 there were five described species in the genus: ^[2]

• Physeema bellatrix (Ashton, 1914) (Esperance Ticker)
• Physeema convergens (Walker, 1850) (Duke)
• Physeema labyrinthica (Walker, 1850) (Southern Coastal Ticker, Dune Ticker)
• Physeema latorea (Walker, 1850) (Northern Sandplain Ticker)
• Physeema quadricincta (Walker, 1850) (Tick-tock)

References

1. Moulds, MS (2012). "A review of the genera of Australian cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadoidea)" (PDF). Zootaxa. 3287: 1–262 [179]. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
2. L.W. Popple (2025). "Genus Physeema Moulds, 2012". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. Retrieved 2025-09-12.