Tryella willsi

Tryella willsi
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Auchenorrhyncha
Family:	Cicadidae
Genus:	Tryella
Species:	T. willsi
Binomial name
Tryella willsi (Distant, 1882) [1] [2]
Synonyms
Tibicen willsiDistant, 1882

Tryella willsi is a species of cicada, also known as the black bullet or black buzzing bullet, in the true cicada family, Cicadettinae subfamily and Lamotialnini 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 20–27 mm. ^[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs from Gunpowder and Cloncurry in north-western Queensland, south-eastwards to Rockhampton and Theodore, and southwards to Bourke in northern New South Wales. Associated habitats include open woodland and semi-arid shrublands. ^{[2] [3]}

Behaviour

The cicadas are xylem feeders. Adult males may be heard from October to March, clinging upside-down to the branches and stems of trees and shrubs, emitting long, high-pitched, hissing calls. ^{[3] [2]}

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.
2. "Species Tryella willsi (Distant, 1882)". Australian Faunal Directory. Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia. 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
3. "Black Bullet Tryella willsi (Distant, 1882)". A web guide to the cicadas of Australia. Popple Creative Industries. 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-28.