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Issue: Vol. 5881 No. 2: 21 Sept. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-09-21
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5881.2.1
Page range: 151-191
Abstract views: 340
PDF downloaded: 6

Description of five new cicada species in the genus Yoyetta Moulds (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadettinae), from eastern New South Wales, Australia

Sydney School of Veterinary Science; University of Sydney; Sydney; New South Wales 2006; Australia.
40 Weiley Avenue; Grafton; NSW; 2460
Australian PlantBank; Botanic Gardens of Sydney; Mount Annan; New South Wales; 2567 Australia.
Hemiptera Australia behaviour cicada Cicadidae Yoyetta distribution habitat taxonomy

Abstract

Five new species within the cicada genus Yoyetta Moulds 2012 are described, all with current distributions in eastern Australia, amidst the coastal woodlands and hinterland of north-eastern New South Wales (NSW) from elevations below 900m. Males of each species produce simple chirping or clicking and buzz songs. Y. thowra sp. nov. is the smallest species, coloured orange and black, favouring grey ironbark eucalypts, distributed in woodlands along the Kangaroo Creek Sandstone formation and calling at rest. Y. mcburneyi sp. nov. and Y. lamberti sp. nov. are medium-sized species, the former inhabiting eucalypts in open forest >250m, while Y. lamberti sp. nov. is located in coastal Blackbutt <500m; both species call at rest and in flight. Y. anthracia sp. nov. is a robust black species found in Blackbutt forest within the north-eastern Kangaroo Creek Sandstone formations. Y. corona sp. nov. is a similar larger brown to black species with a preference for open ironbark woodland, located between Newcastle and Coffs Harbour. Each of the last two species call in flight and from the trunks of trees when at rest.

Within each species a morphological description, as well as a section on distinguishing features, distribution, habitat and behaviour, and calling song structures are provided and live specimens illustrated where available. A revised key to species for the genus Yoyetta Moulds is also provided.

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How to Cite

Emery, D.L., Bush, T.J. & Emery, N.J. (2026) Description of five new cicada species in the genus Yoyetta Moulds (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadettinae), from eastern New South Wales, Australia. Zootaxa, 5881 (2), 151–191. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5881.2.1