Taurella forresti

Taurella forresti
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Auchenorrhyncha
Family:	Cicadidae
Genus:	Taurella
Species:	T. forresti
Binomial name
Taurella forresti (Distant, 1882) [1] [2]
Synonyms
Melampsalta forrestiDistant, 1882 Melampsalta warburtoniDistant, 1882 Cicadetta forresti(Distant, 1882) Melampsalta capistrataAshton, 1912 Cicadetta capistrata(Ashton, 1912)

Taurella forresti is a species of cicada, also known as the hibiscus cicada, in the true cicada family, Cicadettinae subfamily and Cicadettini tribe. The species is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1882 by English entomologist William Lucas Distant. ^{[1] [2]}

Description

The length of the forewing is 15–22 mm. ^[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs in eastern Australia, coastally and sub-coastally, from Cooktown in Far North Queensland southwards to Taree in New South Wales. The associated habitats include tropical and subtropical rainforest, riparian vegetation and gardens, especially with hibiscus species such as Hibiscus tiliaceus and Hibiscus heterophyllus . ^{[3] [2]}

Behaviour

Adult males may be heard from September to April, clinging to the stems of shrubs, emitting calls characterised by short, high-pitched "ziits" followed by a longer, continuous hiss. ^[3]

References

1. Distant, WL (1882). "On some undescribed Cicadidae from Australia and the Pacific region". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 1882: 125–134 [129].
2. "Species Taurella forresti (Distant, 1882)". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-10.
3. "Hibiscus Cicada Taurella forresti (Distant, 1882)". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-10.