Australian Cicadas
Sounds

Northern Greengrocer (Cyclochila virens)

Northern Greengrocer (Cyclochila virens)

The loud droning calls of cicadas are a common sound of the Australian bush in summer. Some of the larger species of Australian cicadas can produce sounds measuring over 120 decibels and at close range can be uncomfortably loud. Many cicada species call in chorus, timing their individual drones in sync with others around them, resulting in a deafening ‘mexican wave’ of sound moving through the forest!

It is thought that some Australian cicadas may live underground as nymphs for around 6 to 7 years. In some years they are more abundant than others – the 2020/2021 summer was considered a peak emergence year in south-eastern Australia.

The sounds of a few Australian cicada species are featured below.

Listen to Australian Cicada Sounds

The audio in the video below features the sounds of the Razor Grinder (Henicopsaltria eydouxii) a large, noisy species of cicada native to coastal eastern Australia. The background photo of the video shows this same species.

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Yellowbelly (Psaltoda harrisii)


 B08h40a This is the song of the Yellowbelly (Psaltoda harrisii) – a loud, rhythmic rattle that builds in intensity and then abrubtly ‘switches off’! This species is common in coastal eastern Australia. Recorded in Heathcote National Park, NSW.

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Black Prince (Psaltoda plaga)


 B08h40a These are the deafening drones of the Black Prince (Psaltoda plaga), one of the most familiar cicada species in coastal eastern Australia. This sample was recorded in the Capertee Valley, NSW.

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Redeye (Psaltoda moerens)


 B08h40a The drone and distinctive pulsing of the Redeye cicada (Psaltoda moerens), another common species in south-eastern Australia. Recorded in Wollemi National Park, NSW.

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Bladder Cicada (Cystosoma saundersii)

 SDMKH260 The distinctive deep drone of a male Bladder Cicada (Cystosoma saundersii), often heard at dusk. Recorded in Paluma Range National Park, Queensland.

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Green Baron (Psaltoda magnifica)


 M3AK-493a This recording features the distinctive rhythms of the Green Baron (Psaltoda magnifica), a common sound in the upland rainforests of Queensland’s Wet Tropics region. This sample was recorded in Mount Lewis National Park, Queensland.

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Southern Spotted Cicada (Gelidea torrida)


 B08h40a A small cicada species with an interesting high-pitched rattling call, the Southern Spotted Cicada (Gelidea torrida) is found in Tasmania [the taxa there is known as the Tasmanian Ticker!) and a few locations along the coast of Victoria. This sample was recorded in the Leven River valley, Tasmania.