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Kikihia
Kikihia ochrina (Walker, 1858) AMNZ55161.jpg
' specimen held at Auckland Museum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Hemiptera
Suborder:
Auchenorrhyncha
Infraorder:
Cicadomorpha
Superfamily:
Cicadoidea
Family:
Cicadidae
Subfamily:
Cicadettinae
Tribe:
Cicadettini
Genus:
Kikihia

Dugdale, 1972
Species
See text
HEMI Cicadidae Kikihia cutora cumberi laneorum subalpina
Kikihia cutora, cumberi, laneorum, subalpina illustrated by Des Helmore

Kikihia is a group of cicadas. These are insects known for their loud buzzing sounds. Most Kikihia species live only in New Zealand. This means they are endemic to New Zealand. There is one species, K. convicta, that lives on Norfolk Island, which is near Australia.

The name Kikihia was first used in 1972. It was created by a scientist named John S. Dugdale. Before this, these cicadas were part of a different group called Cicadetta.

What are Cicadas?

Cicadas are fascinating insects. They are famous for the loud songs the males sing. They use these songs to attract females. Cicadas spend most of their lives underground as nymphs. They feed on the sap from tree roots. After several years, they dig their way out of the ground. They then shed their skin and become adult cicadas. Adults live only for a few weeks. During this time, they mate and lay eggs.

Species of Kikihia

There are many different types of Kikihia cicadas. Each type is called a species. Scientists give each species a unique name. This helps them study and understand these insects better. Here are some of the known Kikihia species:

  • Kikihia angusta (Walker, 1850)
  • Kikihia cauta (Myers, 1921)
  • Kikihia convicta (Distant, 1892)
  • Kikihia cutora cumberi Fleming, 1973
  • Kikihia cutora cutora (Walker, 1850)
  • Kikihia cutora exulis (Hudson, 1950)
  • Kikihia dugdalei Fleming, 1984
  • Kikihia horologium Fleming, 1984
  • Kikihia laneorum Fleming, 1984
  • Kikihia longula (Hudson, 1950)
  • Kikihia muta muta (Fabricius, 1775)
  • Kikihia muta pallida (Hudson, 1950)
  • Kikihia ochrina (Walker, 1858)
  • Kikihia paxillulae Fleming, 1984
  • Kikihia rosea (Walker, 1850)
  • Kikihia scutellaris (Walker, 1850)
  • Kikihia subalpina (Hudson, 1891)
HEMI Cicadidae Kikihia
Kikihia illustrated by Des Helmore.
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Kikihia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.