Popplepsalta blackdownensis

Popplepsalta blackdownensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Auchenorrhyncha
Family:	Cicadidae
Genus:	Popplepsalta
Species:	P. blackdownensis
Binomial name
Popplepsalta blackdownensis (Popple, 2013) [1] [2]
Synonyms
Pauropsalta blackdownensisPopple, 2013

Popplepsalta blackdownensis is a species of cicada, also known as the Blackdown squeaker or Dawson Range squeaker, in the true cicada family, Cicadettinae subfamily and Cicadettini tribe. The species is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2013 by Australian entomologist Lindsay Popple. ^{[1] [2]}

Description

The length of the forewing is 15–19 mm. ^[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs on the Blackdown Tableland of the Central Highlands Region of Queensland, including the Expedition Range and Dawson Range. The associated habitat is eucalypt forest on sandstone mountains and plateaus. ^{[3] [2]}

Behaviour

Adult males may be heard from October to January, clinging to the upper branches of eucalypts, emitting slow, maraca-like, chirping calls. ^[3]

References

1. Popple, LW (2013). "A revision of the Pauropsalta annulata Goding & Froggatt species group (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) based on morphology, calling songs and ecology, with investigations into calling song structure, molecular phylogenetic relationships and a case of hybridisation between two subspecies". Zootaxa. 3730: 1–102 [41]. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3730.1.1.
2. "Species Popplepsalta blackdownensis (Popple, 2013)". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
3. "Dawson Range Squeaker Popplepsalta blackdownensis (Popple, 2013)". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-04.