Insect · GBIF taxon 5867671
Eastern horse cicada
Cryptotympana atrataAlso known as Black Cicada
The Eastern horse cicada is a large dark cicada with clear wings, greenish markings, and a loud sustained summer call. Nymphs spend their hidden lives underground feeding from roots before adults emerge, climb trunks, and molt.
Loud CallerTree CanopyUnderground Nymph
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Nymphs take xylem fluid from roots; adults drink dilute fluids from woody plants
Predators
- Birds
- Wasps
- Praying mantises
ThreatsTree removal, soil sealing, pesticides, severe drought, and disruption during emergence
HabitatsWoodland, parks, gardens, street trees, bamboo edges, and other warm wooded landscapes
Life spanSeveral years as an underground nymph followed by a short adult stage of weeks
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCicadidae
- SpeciesCryptotympana atrata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Handle neither emerging adults nor soft newly molted cicadas; let them climb undisturbed.
Responsible observation
- Listen: Follow the intense continuous call toward sunlit tree crowns.
- Look: Check trunks for empty split-backed nymphal shells.
- Observe: Keep lights low around newly emerged adults at night.
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