Scientific Name: Tibicina haematodes (Cicadidae).
English Name: None (Cicada family).
French Name: La Cigale rouge (='red cicada').
5 Key Characters:
- two spines on front femur.
- red on pronotum (body section between head and abdomen) as well as abdomen.
- wing veins red, especially at bases.
- sits on trees but extremely difficult to see even though a large insect.
- males buzz loudly and persistently.
Lookalikes: None in this area.
Habitat: Trees.
Adult Active Period: June-July-August-September.
Status: Common.
Photographed by Loire Valley Nature:
 |
| Female on redcurrant in a garden in Le Petit Pressigny. Note the pair of spines on the front femur. |
 |
| Female on redcurrant in a garden in Le Petit Pressigny. |
 |
| Female on redcurrant in a garden in Le Petit Pressigny. Although not showing much red on the pronotum or wings, she is clearly reddish on the abdomen. |
I think you could describe the look of the thorax and head as "antiqued"...
ReplyDeleteit really looks as though gilding has been worn off the black paint beneath!
That's one chunky cicada!
ReplyDeleteTim: yes, she's sort of rubbed gold. It's a shame you didn't get to see her.
ReplyDeleteHarvey: yes, they are way bigger than the ones in my parents' backyard in Qld. A good 3cm from head to wingtip.