Macrotristria dorsalis


Macrotristria dorsalis, also known as the little whiner, is a species of cicada in the true cicada family. It is endemic to Australia. It was described in 1912 by Australian entomologist Julian Howard Ashton

Description

The length of the forewing is 31–38 mm. Adults may be either green or yellow-orange in colour.

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs from Princess Charlotte Bay in Far North Queensland southwards to Innisfail and west to Georgetown. The syntype was collected at Kuranda. The habitat includes tropical bushland, open forest and eucalypt woodland.

Behaviour

Adults are heard from December to March, clinging to the upper branches and trunks of eucalypts and other trees, uttering calls characterised by a continuous whine that develops a pulsing pattern.