Creaking Branch Cicada
Auscala spinosa (Goding and Froggatt, 1904)
© Popple Creative Industries 2014–2024
Previously referred to as
Cicadetta spinosa.
Other name(s):
Tree Creaker.
Species number (TNS):
176.
Fore wing length:
27–35 mm.
Distribution and seasonality:
Mainly inland areas from west of
Herveys Range near Townsville in
north Queensland south to
Sydney in central New South
Wales, Bendigo and Little Desert
National Park in Victoria and west
to south-east South Australia.
Adults can be observed from
September until March.
Notable localities:
Woodgate National Park, Miles,
Boonah, Pilliga Scrub, Tilpa,
Castleragh Nature Reserve (D.
Emery), Bordertown (B.
Haywood).
Habitat:
Woodland dominant by ironbark
eucalypts or Belah (Casuarina
cristata or C. paupa).
Calling song and behaviour:
Almost exactly the same as the
sound of a creaking tree. The
song becomes more obvious
when many individuals are
singing. On occasions there may
be a few minutes between bursts
of song. Calling is most vigorous
at dusk and at quiet times during
the day. Adults sit on the upper
branches of trees. They are
exceptionally difficult to approach.
Similar species:
Red Mallee Creaker.
Habitat
dr-pop.net database record
Currently known extent
Male
Female
