Palapsalta

Palapsalta is a genus of cicadas, mostly known as tree-buzzers, in the family Cicadidae, subfamily Cicadettinae and tribe Cicadettini. It was described in 2012 by Australian entomologist Maxwell Sydney Moulds.^[1]

Palapsalta
Palapsalta eyrei
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hemiptera
Suborder:	Auchenorrhyncha
Infraorder:	Cicadomorpha
Superfamily:	Cicadoidea
Family:	Cicadidae
Subfamily:	Cicadettinae
Genus:	Palapsalta Moulds, 2012[1]

Etymology

The genus name Palapsalta is a combination derived from Latin pala (‘palette’), with reference to the palette-like upper pygofer lobes of the male genitalia, and psalta (from Latin psaltria – a female harpist), which is a suffix traditionally used in the generic names of cicadas.^[1]

Species

As of 2025 there were eight described species in the genus:^[2]

• Palapsalta belli Emery, Emery and Hutchinson, 2018 (Pilbara Tree-buzzer)
• Palapsalta circumdata (Walker, 1852) (Bronze Tree-buzzer)
• Palapsalta eyrei (Distant, 1882) (Yellow Tree-buzzer)
• Palapsalta ligneocauda Emery, Emery and Hutchinson, 2018 (Lime Tree-buzzer)
• Palapsalta palaga Owen and Moulds, 2016 (Northern River Tree-buzzer)
• Palapsalta serpens Owen and Moulds, 2016 (Pale-sided Tree-buzzer)
• Palapsalta virgulata (Ewart, 1989) (Striped Tree-buzzer)
• Palapsalta vitellina (Ewart, 1989) (Eastern River Tree-buzzer)