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Te kihikihi/Kīkītara

Chorus cicada

Amphipsalta zelandica (Boisduval)
Chorus cicada, [Amphipsalta zelandica]. Image: M.J. Esson

Chorus cicada, Amphipsalta zelandica. Image: M.J. Esson

Pūtoi
Order
Hemiptera
Whānau
Family
Cicadidae
Show in English Te Reo

Te Rahi

  • He pepeke āhua rahi. Ko ngā momo rahi ake, ka tipu kia 40 mm te roa (me te uru mai anō o ngā parirau ki tēnei inenga).

Size range

  • Medium to large insects, bigger species up to 40 mm in length including wings

Te Tītaringa

  • Nō Aotearoa taketake ake.
  • Kei te takiwā o te 40 ngā momo o Aotearoa, he maha tonu e taea ana te tautuhi i runga i te āhua o te kitā.

Distribution

  • New Zealand native
  • About 40 New Zealand species, many identifiable by the song

Te Huringa Ora

  • Ka hoihoi tonu i te raumati.
  • Kai ai i te pia o ētahi tipu.
  • Ka whānau ngā hua ki ngā wakawaka e rere ana i ngā rārā..
  • Tērā ka kino ngā rārā i te noho mai o ngā hua ki ngā wakawaka, ka whatiwhati noa.
  • Noho ai ngā torongū ki te poho o Papa, me te kai i ngā pakiaka o ngā rākau.

Life history

  • Very loud in summer months
  • Feed on plant sap
  • Eggs laid in grooves in twigs
  • Larvae develop underground, feeding on tree roots