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Project Noah Nature School
Amphipsalta zealandica
A New Zealand native, this is our largest cicada. It is very similar to the Clapping Cicada but has longer wings and green on the top of the head and thorax instead of olive. It calls after Christmas and was noted by Maori as marking the start of the 8th month of their traditional calendar. The Maori name is 'Kihikihi Wawa'. Wawa meaning, 'roaring like heavy rain', refering to the males chorus.
Adults are usually to be found high in the tree tops and canopy over most of New Zealand except coastal Otago. They feed on tree sap which the reach with their piercing mouthparts.
While in mid summer these cicadas are deafening they are not often seen as adults due to their arboreal habits. However the empty nymph skins at the base of trees are easily found.
Spotted on Feb 20, 2015
Submitted on Apr 3, 2015
2 Comments
Thank you Polilla. I am glad you liked the images.
Thank you magazhu.