Tamasa caverna

Tamasa caverna
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Auchenorrhyncha
Family:	Cicadidae
Genus:	Tamasa
Species:	T. caverna
Binomial name
Tamasa caverna Moulds & Olive, 2014 [1] [2]

Tamasa caverna, also known as the boulder bunyip, is a species of cicada in the true cicada family. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2014 by Australian entomologists Maxwell Sydney Moulds and John C. Olive. ^{[1] [2]}

Description

The length of the forewing is 32–36 mm. ^[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species is known only from Black Mountain, near Cooktown, on the Cape York Peninsula of Far North Queensland. The associated habitat is rocky and dominated by large granite boulders. ^{[3] [2]}

Behaviour

Adults have been observed in January, clinging to sheltered positions on the shadowed sides of the boulders, uttering powerful, pulsing, buzzing calls. ^[3]

References

1. Moulds, MS; Olive, JC (2014). "A new species of Tamasa Distant from an unusual cave-like habitat in Australia (Cicadidae: Cicadinae: Tamasini)". Records of the Australian Museum. 66 (5): 265–270 [265–270].
2. "Species Tamasa caverna Moulds & Olive, 2014". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
3. L.W. Popple (2025). "Boulder Bunyip Tamasa caverna Moulds and Olive, 2014". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. Retrieved 2025-09-07.