A Cicada Tibicina haematodes




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.

3 comments:

  1. I think you could describe the look of the thorax and head as "antiqued"...
    it really looks as though gilding has been worn off the black paint beneath!

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  2. Tim: yes, she's sort of rubbed gold. It's a shame you didn't get to see her.

    Harvey: yes, they are way bigger than the ones in my parents' backyard in Qld. A good 3cm from head to wingtip.

    ReplyDelete