Samaecicada subolivacea

Samaecicada subolivacea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Auchenorrhyncha
Family:	Cicadidae
Genus:	Samaecicada
Species:	S. subolivacea
Binomial name
Samaecicada subolivacea (Ashton, 1912) [1] [2]
Synonyms
Pauropsalta subolivaceaAshton, 1912

Samaecicada subolivacea is a species of cicada, also known as the red-eyed fairy, in the true cicada family, Cicadettinae subfamily and Cicadettini tribe. The species is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1912 by Australian entomologist Julian Howard Ashton. ^{[1] [2]}

Description

The length of the forewing is 13–16 mm. ^[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in the Hawkesbury Sandstone region of New South Wales, encompassing Greater Sydney and the Blue Mountains, southwards to Nowra. The associated habitat is open heathy woodland. The cicadas are known to occupy Hakea shrubs. ^{[3] [2]}

Behaviour

Adult males may be heard from December to March, emitting rapid ticking calls. ^[3]

References

1. Ashton, Howard (1912). "Some new Australian Cicadidae". Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. New Series. 24: 221–229 [228].
2. "Species Samaecicada subolivacea (Ashton, 1912)". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
3. "Red-eyed Fairy Samaecicada subolivacea (Ashton, 1912)". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-08.