Will they visit?: Cicadas frequently visit home gardens
Natural Distribution: Common and widespread throughout the South West and Perth region
Arenopsaltria fullo, Sandgrinder. (C) Sian Mawson
Cicada moulting – (C) Karen Cullen
Kobonga umbrimargo. (C) Sian Mawson
Physeema quadricincta, Tick Tock Cicada. (C) Sian Mawson
Cicadoidea – Bill & Mark Bell (CCBYNCSA)
Cicadoidea – Bill & Mark Bell (CCBYNCSA)
Habitat at a Glance
See Habitat Guide for more detail
Shelter: Clumping grasses, logs, rocks, trees, and shrubs
Diet: Plant sap
Water: Not required
ReWild Benefit: Soil health, prey for wildlife
Habitat Guide - Shelter
Natural Shelter
Cicadas are a diverse group of insects and each has their own unique song and preferred habitat. In Perth gardens the most commonly encountered cicada species are Tick-Tocks (Physeema quadricincta) and the larger Sandgrinder (Arenopsaltria fullo). Tick-Tocks prefer to shelter in thickets of grasses. Sandgrinders prefer to shelter on the trunks of large trees and shrubs.
Cicada young (called nymphs) live for several years underground. Larger species seem to take longer to mature and do not emerge for over seven years. At night, the mature nymphs emerge from the ground and moult into the winged adults. They leave their empty exoskeleton (called an exuvia) on the trunks of trees, rocks, and shrubs.
Novel Shelter
Not required.
Habitat Guide - Food and Water
Providing natural sources of food
Cicada nymphs are incredibly active in the soil, digging burrows and feeding on the roots of native trees, shrubs, and grasses. A garden with different shrubs, trees, and groundcovers can provide a varied diet for any nymphs living in the soil.
Adult cicadas feed on the sap of shrubs and trees. As an adult, some species of cicada do not eat and rely on the fat stored as a nymph.
Providing sources of water
Not required.
ReWild Benefits
Cicada populations go through boom and bust cycles. They provide ecological function for soil health and as a significant food source for native birds, mammals, reptiles, and frogs. If you see one in your backyard, you can record your sighting on the Atlas of Living Australia and help scientists monitor there population and distribution.
