Story: Cicadas

Chorus cicada

The largest New Zealand cicada is the chorus cicada (Amphipsalta zelandica). The length of its body with the wings folded is about 40 millimetres. Chorus cicadas gather in large numbers around the time they emerge from their nymph skins, from January. Common in the North Island and some coastal areas of the South Island, they are often seen on fence posts, trees and buildings.

The loud chorus of males as they sing to attract a mate is one of the hallmarks of summer.

Sound file from Cicada Central

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Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand
Reference: DSCG9749Smd.jpg
Photograph by Peter E. Smith

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How to cite this page:

John Marris, 'Cicadas - Introducing cicadas', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/natural-sounds/11007/chorus-cicada (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by John Marris, published 24 Sep 2007