Leslie Massey
Cicadas are found all across Australia, with more than 200 species of the insect in the country. They are commonly found in suburban Brisbane, Sydney, and across SEQ, usually on casuarinas, angophoras, and eucalypts in dry open forests. They are also found in the outlying islands and territories of Australia, including Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and Norfolk Island. The sound of cicadas is often associated with the summer in Australia, with the male cicadas singing to attract female cicadas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Cicada Species in Australia | More than 200 |
| Common Australian Cicadas | Greengrocer, Cherrynose, Floury Baker, Double Drummer, Black Prince |
| Cicada Food Sources | Plant roots, sap |
| Cicada Predators | Birds, rodents, marsupials, reptiles, fish, insects, spiders, bats, wasps, ants, mantids, tree crickets, Cicada Killer Wasp |
| Cicada Wingspan | 2.5 cm - 15 cm |
| Active Months | November to March, especially December and January |
| Typical Locations | Sydney, Brisbane, SEQ, Blue Mountains, Victoria, NSW, QLD, coastal areas |
| Calls | Rattling, rapid pulsing, high-pitched whine, buzzing |
| Noise Level | 70 dB - 120 dB |
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What You'll Learn
- Cicadas are found in suburban Brisbane and across SEQ
- They are common on casuarinas, angophoras and eucalypts in dry open forests
- They are preyed on by birds, bats, spiders, wasps, ants, and more
- They are known to be the loudest insects in the world
- They are used to measure climate change as they are sensitive to temperature and rainfall cues
Cicadas are found in suburban Brisbane and across SEQ
Australia is home to more than 200 species of cicadas, and they are a common sight in suburban Brisbane and across SEQ. The most common species found in these areas include the Bladder Cicada, Clanger, Double Drummer, and Floury Baker.
The Bladder Cicada (Cystosoma saundersii) is typically found in shrubs and small trees in gardens, rainforests, and grazing land close to the ground. They are most active from November to January and are attracted to light.
The Clanger (Psaltoda claripennis) is commonly found in suburban Brisbane and across SEQ. They are usually found on casuarinas, angophoras, and eucalypts in dry open forests, sometimes congregating in large numbers in just a few trees.
The Double Drummer (Thopha saccata) is Australia's largest cicada and is common across SEQ. Adults form large local aggregations on the trunks of large eucalypts in dry sclerophyll forests. They are most active from November to early March, with some years being more common than others.
The Floury Baker (Aleeta curvicosta) is found in coastal areas of Queensland and New South Wales. They are adapted to a wide variety of habitats and plant species but show a preference for paperbarks and bottlebrushes. They are typically found facing downwards on branches and are most active from mid-December to January.
Cicadas are an iconic part of the Aussie summer, with their deafening concerts filling the air. They are also an important food source for many animals, including rodents, marsupials, reptiles, birds, fish, insects, and spiders. The movement and behaviour of cicadas are even being used as a yardstick to measure climate change, with some northern Australian species turning up in Victoria and breeding later in the year.
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They are common on casuarinas, angophoras and eucalypts in dry open forests
Cicadas are commonly found on casuarinas, angophoras, and eucalypts in dry open forests across Australia. These insects seem to have a preference for these particular types of trees, which are prevalent in the country's arid and semi-arid regions.
Casuarinas, also known as she-oaks, are native trees that thrive in dry, sandy soils. They are often found along watercourses and in coastal areas, providing an ideal habitat for cicadas with their dense foliage and small, needle-like leaves. Angophoras, or apple gums, are another tree species favored by cicadas. These trees are part of the eucalypt family and are commonly found in open forests, offering cicadas a source of food and shelter.
Eucalypts, including various gum trees and ironbarks, are also common hosts for cicadas in Australia. These trees are well-adapted to the country's dry conditions and are widespread across the continent. Cicadas are particularly drawn to eucalypts due to the trees' ability to provide ample food resources and protective habitats.
The dry open forests that these trees inhabit provide an ideal environment for cicadas. The hot, dry conditions allow the insects to thrive, with the trees offering shade and moisture. The dense foliage of casuarinas, angophoras, and eucalypts provides a protective cover from predators and extreme temperatures, while the trees themselves provide a steady and abundant food source for the cicadas.
The relationship between cicadas and these tree species is intricate and symbiotic. Cicadas feed on the sap of the trees, utilizing their specialized piercing and sucking mouthparts to extract essential nutrients. In return, the trees benefit from improved nutrient flow and increased pollination rates due to the presence of cicadas. This interdependence highlights the fascinating dynamics of Australia's unique ecosystem.
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They are preyed on by birds, bats, spiders, wasps, ants, and more
Cicadas are a food source for a wide range of animals. They are preyed on by birds, bats, spiders, wasps, ants, and more. The loud noises produced by some day-singing cicadas repel birds, possibly because the sound interferes with their normal communication and is painful to their ears. The male cicadas' mating call is designed to attract female cicadas and deter predators.
The male cicadas of many species, including the Greengrocer/Yellow Monday and the Double Drummer, group together when calling, increasing the total volume of noise and reducing the chances of bird predation. Some species of cicadas only sing at dusk, which offers some protection from birds.
Cicadas can also come to a particularly nasty end if they are spotted by a Cicada Killer Wasp. The adult female wasp will paralyse the cicada with its venomous sting, carry it to her nest, and lay an egg under the cicada's leg. When the egg hatches, the larvae will eat the cicada alive.
Cicadas are found across Australia, including in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and the outlying islands of Christmas, Cocos (Keeling), Ashmore, Torres Strait, Coral Sea, Lord Howe, Norfolk, Macquarie, and Heard/McDonald.
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They are known to be the loudest insects in the world
Cicadas are known to be the loudest insects in the world, with some species producing an ear-splitting call that can reach 120 decibels, which is loud enough to be painful to the human ear. The Double Drummer (Thopha saccata) is the loudest of Australia's cicadas and is mostly found in brown colour with black patterns across its back. It is also the biggest of Australia's cicadas. The Green Grocer or the Great Green Cicada (Cyclochila australasiae) is another one of the loudest insects in the world, reaching noise levels of 120 decibels.
The loud noise produced by some day-singing cicadas repels birds, probably because the noise is painful to the birds' ears and interferes with their normal communication. The males of many cicada species, including the Greengrocer/Yellow Monday, and the Double Drummer, tend to group together when calling, which increases the total volume of noise and reduces the chances of bird predation. Cicadas also often sing in chorus, making it more difficult for a predator to locate an individual.
The drone of cicadas is one of Sydney's most recognisable sounds of summer. They are a truly iconic part of the Australian summer and are a much-loved insect. They are a good source of food for many birds, especially when chicks are hatching and demanding to be fed.
Cicadas spend most of their lives underground. It is suggested that some of the large, common Australian species of cicada may live underground as nymphs for around 6-7 years. In Australia, cicadas can spend 6-8 years underground and after emerging, the male cicadas have only a few weeks to find a mate.
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They are used to measure climate change as they are sensitive to temperature and rainfall cues
Cicadas are found all across Australia, with over 200 species of the insect in the country. They are a common sight and sound, especially in Sydney, where their drone is one of the most recognisable sounds of summer.
Cicadas are highly sensitive to temperature and rainfall cues, which is why they are used to measure climate change. They are also an important food source for many animals, including rodents, marsupials, reptiles, birds, fish, insects, and spiders. This makes them a good indicator of the health of an ecosystem.
Cicadas have long life cycles and spend most of their lives underground as nymphs. Some Australian species can spend up to 6-8 years in this state. The timing of their emergence is influenced by temperature and precipitation. As the climate gets warmer, growing seasons lengthen, and cicadas can get bigger every year. This can lead to larger numbers of cicadas emerging earlier than expected. For example, in 2017, large numbers of 17-year cicadas surfaced years ahead of schedule in the United States, which entomologists suspect is related to global warming.
In addition to emerging early, climate change may also cause cicadas to migrate north as temperatures rise. The plant species they depend on would also shift northward, following more favourable conditions. Climate change may also result in a rise in the number of "straggler" cicadas, or those that emerge out-of-sync with their brood.
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Frequently asked questions
Cicadas are found all across Australia, including its outlying islands and territories such as Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and Norfolk Island. They are especially common in suburban Brisbane and Sydney.
Cicadas are most active in Australia from late December to January, and between Christmas and New Year over the eastern seaboard. However, some species are active as early as August and as late as March.
Cicadas are known for their loud noise, which can reach up to 120 decibels and be painful to the human ear. The noise is often described as a "strong rattle that builds up before bursting into a rapid pulsing song".
