Cherrynose facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cherrynose |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Macrotristria
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| Species: |
M. angularis
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| Macrotristria angularis (Germar, 1834)
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The cherrynose cicada (Macrotristria angularis) is a fascinating insect found in Australia. It gets its common name from a unique red part on its face that looks like a nose. These cicadas live in eastern Australia, especially in forests with tough-leaved trees called sclerophyll forests.
About the Cherrynose Cicada
Scientists use a system called taxonomy to name and group all living things. The cherrynose cicada was first described in 1834 by a German scientist named Ernst Friedrich Germar. He called it Cicada angularis. Later, in 1870, a Swedish scientist named Carl Stål gave it the genus name Macrotristria.
The "cherrynose" name comes from a red structure on its head. This isn't really a nose! It's a special part with muscles. These muscles help the cicada use its long mouthpart, called a proboscis, to suck xylem (water and nutrients) from trees.
What Does It Look Like?
The cherrynose cicada is a medium to large-sized insect. Both male and female cicadas look very similar. Their heads and main body parts (thorax) are usually black. Sometimes, in northern Australia, they can be red-brown. They often have bright orange markings. The red "nose" part is called the postclypeus. The underside of their body is brown or black.
Their clear wings have tiny, amazing bumps on them. These bumps are super small, like tiny cones, and are called nanostructures. They help the wings stay dry and also make them less shiny.
When a cherrynose cicada calls, it makes a trilling sound. You can hear them during the day and as the sun sets.
Where Do They Live?
Adult cherrynose cicadas like to hang out on the upper branches and trunks of tall eucalypt trees. They live in sclerophyll forests across eastern Australia. You might also find them on other trees like sheoaks, apples (Angophora), native cypress (Callitris), and Tamarix aphylla. Sadly, they are becoming less common in the Sydney area.
