Psaltoda moerens

Redeye cicada at Watson, ACT

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Identification history

	Psaltoda moerens	13 Jan 2021	lpopple
	Unidentified	12 Jan 2021	MPW

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User's notes

The image shows Cicada Instar Exoskeleton "ghosts". However what myself and co-observer Waltraud are MORE INTERESTED IN, are Not the Cicada Instars perse, but the "Mysterious" white powdery 'ET' "Footprint" markings on the Gum bark, also shown in the images. These white symmetrical "prints" were present on the trunk of this Scribbly gum ( ? most likely Gum species). The parallel Trails of white spots start at base of the tree and continue far up into higher branches. The spots are Dry and powdery : my suggestion is possibly ? Scale Insect related , or Fungal / Mildew ? but this is just a guess. These white markings were Not present on any other nearby trees.

7 comments

MPW wrote:

14 Jan 2021

WOW ! That's really amazing that you can ID the Cicada species just from the Exoskeleton instar remains. I'm really impressed ! since there are Multiple species occurring in ACT. RE the other material visible in the images, ie the "ET white footsteps" I mentioned previously, does ANYONE (else) have any suggestions what they may be ? Thanks a LOT.

Tapirlord wrote:

14 Jan 2021

Mmmmmm, this looks v much like the Eriococcidae sp. that have been found on Eucalyptus blakelyi (which this tree could be, I can't tell from photos). I'm not sure whether this species has been found on any other species of eucalypt but the photos match those already on CNM . 'Eriococcidae sp' is a kind of scale insect. https://canberra.naturemapr.org/species/45885
If you'd rather this record is confirmed as the scale insect then one of the moderators/administrators can move it into that category for you, although you might have to ask them first. Hope this helps :).

MPW wrote:

14 Jan 2021

Hi TapirLord, Thanks for your prompt response. That's interesting, yes I had considered 'scale insects'. This tree could be an
E. blakelyi, both me and Waltraud thought it was a little atypical. Can go back to double check this (tree). Its up to CNM administrators to make a decision, where / how to categorise these images : if possible ? under Both the Cicada AND the Eriococcidae, if CNM system allows that ? Regards, Max.

waltraud wrote:

14 Jan 2021

The tree is a E blakelyi - I think I told you, Max? I mentioned that gum trees have smooth bark and box trees rough bark to various degree and that the E blakelyi trees sometimes stock some of the old bark at the bottom of the trunk as this specimen has.

Tapirlord wrote:

15 Jan 2021

My suggestion would be to submit the image a second time but suggest the scale insect rather than putting it into all unidentified insects. The tree being E.blakelyi makes more sense given the previous records. Cheers.

AlisonMilton wrote:

15 Jan 2021

Hi, The scale is Eriococcidae sp. on Eucalyptus blakelyi, which has been very prevalent this year. I've noted that it is now 'dying' and falling off the affected trees.

waltraud wrote:

16 Jan 2021

Max, could you please reload pics and suggest Eriococcidae sp. on Eucalyptus blakelyi? I'll confirm.
Ta. w

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Location information

Sighting information

3 Abundance
11 Jan 2021 11:40 AM Recorded on
MPW Recorded by
Collections
Insects Cicadas (Hemiptera, Cicadoidea)

Additional information

Scribbly Gum Associated plant
Possibly ? Unknown. "ET" Associated Insect
25mm to 50mm Animal size
Unknown Gender

Species information

Psaltoda moerens Scientific name
Redeye cicada Common name
Not Sensitive
Local native
Non-invasive or negligible
Up to 1057m Recorded at altitude
206 images trained Machine learning
External link More information

Record quality

Images or audio
More than one media file
Verified by an expert moderator
Nearby sighting(s) of same species
GPS evidence of location
Description
Additional attributes