Auscala flammea

Auscala flammea is a species of cicada, also known as the red mallee creaker, in the true cicada family, Cicadettinae subfamily and Cicadettini tribe. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 2020 by entomologists D.L Emery, N.J. Emery and Paul Hutchinson.

Description

The length of the forewing is 27–36 mm.

Distribution and habitat

The species is found in south-west Western Australia and in southern South Australia from the northern Eyre Peninsula eastwards, with its range extending to extreme south-western New South Wales and north-western Victoria. The associated habitat is mallee woodland.

Behaviour

The songs of the male cicadas have been likened to the sounds made by a creaking tree branch.