| Cyclochila australasiae | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hemiptera |
| Family: | Cicadidae |
| Genus: | Cyclochila |
| Species: | C. australasiae |
| Binomial name | |
| Cyclochila australasiae (Donovan, 1805) |
|
Cyclochila australasiae, commonly known as the green grocer, is a species of cicada and one of Australia's most familiar insects. It is distributed through coastal regions of southeastern Australia.[1] It is one of the loudest insects in the world.[2]
Cyclochila australasiae was formerly commonly known as the Great Green Cicada; in addition, the various colour forms have different vernacular names, including Yellow Monday for a common yellow morph; Chocolate Soldier for a rare dark tan form; and Blue Moon for a rare turquoise form.[3] The names for the green and yellow forms have been recorded since at least 1896.[3] The species was first described by amateur zoologist Edward Donovan as Tettigonia australasiae in 1805, while Ernst Friedrich Germar named it Cicada olivacea in 1830.[4]
Cyclochila australasiae measures about 4 cm (1.6 in) in length, with a wingspan of 11-13 cm (4-5 in). Diverse colour forms are seen, the most common being predominantly green or brownish yellow. It has red eyes. The exuvia, or discarded empty exoskeleton of the nymph form, is commonly seen on tree trunks in gardens and bushland during the summer months.[1]
The loud calls of the male are heard over the summer months; harsh and high-pitched, these may reach 150 decibels. The sound is made by the rapid buckling of the timbal ribs, and amplified by resonation in an air sac; the frequency is around 4.3 kHz.[5] Calls occur in the afternoon and dusk of warm days.[3]
Cyclochila australasiae is found from Kroombit Tops in southeastern Queensland through eastern New South Wales and Victoria to the Grampians, and through to Mount Gambier in southeastern South Australia. It is common along the Great Dividing Range, and is also found in the Warrumbungles. It is commonly seen (and heard) around Sydney and Melbourne, the Blue Mountains and Gippsland. In Brisbane, it is only encountered at elevations above 300 m (1000 ft).[6]
The cicada spends seven years in nymph form drinking sap from plant roots underground before emerging from the earth as an adult. The adults, who live for six weeks, fly around, mate, and breed over the summer.[3]