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GREEN GROCER CICADA FACTS |
Identification
The Green Grocer Cicada is a common cicada along eastern Australia. It has a loud high pitched call and is one of the loudest insects in the world. The most common form is green, and another fairly common form is the yellow form (the Yellow Monday). Less common colour variations are dark tan (Chocolate Soldier) and turquoise blue (Blue Moon). Most forms have red eyes, although the Blue Form has purple blue eyes. The Masked Devil is an orange brown form with a black mask across the eyes that is more common at higher altitudes.
Other Names
Yellow Monday (yellow form), Masked Devil
Size
length about 4cm, wingspan 11cm - 13mm
Food
nymph feed on sap from plant roots
Breeding
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 and the skin splits down the back allowing the adult cicada to emerge. The nymph skins remain on the tree as empty shells retaining the shape of the nymph that emerged.
Range
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.
Classification
| Class: | Insecta | | Order: | Hemiptera | | Family: | Cicadidae | | Genus: | Cyclochila | | Species: | australasiae | | Common Name: | Green Grocer Cicada |
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