I was keen to learn about this interesting little fellow as we don't have them over here in the West although it is a common cicada in eastern Australia. It has a loud high pitched call and is one of the loudest insects in the world. The most common form is the yellow form (the Yellow Monday).
Less common colour variations are dark tan (Chocolate Solidier) and turquoise blue (Blue Moon). Most forms have red eyes. The Masked Devil is an orange-brown form with a black mask across the eyes that is more common at high altitudes.
The Green Grocer Cicada lays eggs in twigs using their sharp ovipositor to pierce the twig. The eggs hatch and the nymphs fall to the ground and burrow under the soil to feed on plant roots. The nymph remains underground for about 6 or 7 years, and when they are ready to hatch into the adult form, they dig their way out of the ground and climb a tree trunk or other nearby vertical surface. The nymph clasps the trunk of the tree and the sin spits down the back allowing the adult cicada to emerge. These cicadas usually grow to a length of about 4 cm with a wingspan of 11-13 cm.
The nymph skins remain on the tree as empty shells retaining the shape of the nymph that emerged.
The Green Grocer Cicada is found in coastal regions of south-eastern Australia from southern Queensland, along eastern New South Wales to Victoria and west to South Australia.
Noisy devils, but fascinating. I haven't seen or heard any here in years. Which I am sad about.
ReplyDeleteWe used to have lots of (our type) cicadas here but I can't remember hearing them lately. The worse thing was when one was in your car when you were driving. I hated that.
DeleteWe seldom see crickets either. All this still probably a result of the spraying for Argentine ants back in the 1940s.
Gee, I feel deprived. Our cicadas only come in brown. (With red eyes, though.) At least, that's the only color I've ever seen. Your green fella is really pretty. His wings look kinda bluish. I've always loved to hear the cicadas "sing" in the summertime. It was the background noise to my childhood.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! (Nope, it isn't too late to say it... it's never to late to send good wishes to a friend.)
No it's never too late to send wishes to a friend so Happy New Year to you and yours too Susan and thanks for your wishes.
DeleteOur cicadas too are usually a brownish colour but we seldom hear them these days. I used to love the sound of them on a still day.
They are an amazing insect and yes very loud but I think the color combination in the first photo makes it a pretty one.
ReplyDeleteI just remembered here in Perth (and probably elsewhere) we used to call the cicada a 'tick tock" which I guess was because of the noise they made. I thought the greeny/yellowy/blue one quite pretty too.
DeleteI didn't know cicadas came in different colours, I've only seen the brown ones while living in NSW and Vic. When they first begin singing for the season, I don't mind the sound, but when many of them get going or the sound continues too long it's irritating, especially when trying to sleep. By the end of the season, it's just background noise and sleep is once more my friend.
ReplyDeleteWe only have brownish ones too but I don't remember them ever being that loud to prevent sleep. It was when one would get in the house and you couldn't find it to pop it outside that it could be irritating. Did you also call them 'tick tocks" I wonder?
DeleteI will be thinking of you over there in S.A. this coming week. You have some horrendous hot days ahead and my only hope is you don't suffer the devastating fires that we had here yesterday. At the last count 44 houses had been totally destroyed and I doubt that is the final count. Keep cool.
The brother of one of my sisters in law was very lucky. He was evacuated last night, but his house is one of the ones in the street which is still standing. People are more important than property - but still a relief. No garden left, and the fires were within 2 metres of his home, but no damage.
DeleteHow lucky is that!! People are criticised for wanting to live among the trees in our hills but no matter how careful they are clearing trees, having sprinklers on their roof etc when there's a wild fire there is nothing on earth will stop it. It virtually creates its own weather. I remember the fires in Canberra when even the lawns were on fire.
DeleteOh cicadas - a common prank at school was to place a cicada shell on someone's shoulder, and sometimes these were replaced with a REAL cicada! Gorgeous colours and patterns, but they still freak me out.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're staying safe and cool in this heatwave Mimsie, and that you're well away from the fires xx
They are not a favourite of mine especially when they are on your skin. They sort of prickle.
DeleteOur heatwave is over thank goodness but next weekend more heat (38ºC both days). I fear for the people in Adelaide and the ACT and Melbourne and Hobart are going to have it hot too.
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteI LOOVVEEE cicadas and photographed a few of the green grocer when I was in Sydney in November. The sound can be a bit overwhelming though, that's true. YAM xx
I don't mind the sound but then we have very few in Perth these days. I just can't stand the feel of them on my skin. You should show your photos one day on your blog. All living things are so interesting. xx
ReplyDeleteWe never called them tick-tocks, but the buggers used to congregate in the garden by the bedroom window. We were glad to move and leave them behind.
ReplyDelete