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Thopha saccata
Cicadas are the loudest insects in the world and there are more than 200 species native to Australia. Due to the large size (5 cm+) of the exuviae specimens I found on several trees, I'm confident they are from the species Thopha saccata, commonly known as the "Eastern double drummer", Australia's largest cicada and reputedly the loudest insect in the world!.... http://dr-pop.net/saccata-003.htm (including sound recording) http://www.rymich.com/girraween/index.ph... It is a common species in Girraween and is endemic to this region. NB: "Ecdysis" is the moulting of the cuticle in many invertebrates of the clade Ecdysozoa. Since the cuticle of these animals typically forms a largely inelastic exoskeleton, it is shed during growth and a new, larger covering is formed. "Exuviae" are the remains of an exoskeleton and related structures that are left after ecdysozoans have moulted. (Wikipedia)
Spotted on the trunk of a eucalyptus tree, not far from the Mt. Norman day use area in Girraween National Park. Dry sclerophyll forest that has recently undergone bushfires. Here's some park info - http://www.rymich.com/girraween/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girraween_...
A good video that shows the double drummer cicada emerging from its exuviae... at 1:09 minutes. Turn the volume up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPizXMcG... And it's only the male cicadas that can sing.
Spotted on Mar 7, 2020
Submitted on Apr 5, 2020
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