Redtail cicadas | Rhodopsalta

Blood redtail cicada | Rhodopsalta cruentata

This species’ body is a bright reddish-brown with black markings, and it generally has a silvery stripe down its back. The front part of its wings are green.

That close-up shows a small Blood redtail cicada that sits on a green stalk in front of a blurred blue background. Its body has a red and black colour and its closed transparent wings have a green outline at the edges.

Blood redtail cicada | Rhodopsalta cruentata. Photo by Melvin Esson

Distribution and habitat
Found in the upper South Island and throughout the North Island, although is it less common in Northland. Generally found in the lowland areas, closer to beaches and rivers, but can sometimes be found in subalpine areas too.

A map of Aotearoa New Zealand with a blue background. Most of the country is coloured green apart from a white patch on the lower right of the South Island and Stewart Island.

Time of year

This cicada can generally be found from October to May but is more commonly found from November to March.

Song
Continuous zits “Zit zit zit zit…”
This is a recording of the sound of a blood redtail cicada. It has continuous zits that have a regular rhythm.

Sand dune redtail cicada | Rhodopsalta leptomera

This cicada has a red body with black markings and generally has a play silvery stripe down its back. The front wing edge is orange, and they are often covered in silvery-grey hair.

This species gets its name from the habitat where it is commonly found: the grassy sand dunes of the coast.

This Sand dune redtail cicada has a bright red body, it sits on wheat grass in front of a light blue background. Its wings are extending behind its body and they have a red frame.

Sand dune redtail cicada | Rhodopsalta leptomera. Photo by Melvin Esson

Distribution and habitat
This cicada can be found in Northland and Auckland, as well as the entire west coast of the North Island. It has also been found at Castle Point, on the east coast of the Wairarapa - possibly introduced by humans here.

A map of Aotearoa New Zealand with a blue background. The left side of the North Island is coloured green, as well as a small section of the lower-right size. The rest of the country is white.

Time of year

A table with two rows and 12 columns showing the months of the year. October to March are coloured green, the rest are white.

This cicada can generally be found from October to March but is most common from November to February.

Song
Rapid continuous zits - “Zit zit zit zit…”
This is a recording of the sound of a sand dune redtail cicada. It has continuous zits that have the same pattern.

Little redtail cicada | Rhodopsalta microdora

The smallest of the redtail cicadas, with a body length of only 14 mm. This cicada is red on the top of the abdomen, but is pale green on the head, thorax and underside. It has a light green X on its back, and the front wing edge is green. These cicadas generally (but not always) have a silver strip on their heads. Some even have a faint silver strip on the top of their abdomen.

On top of a green big leaf sits a little redtail cicada with its green body stretched upwards in front of a blue blurred scene. Its clear and trimmed wings have a green and brown outline and extend behind its back.

Little Redtail Cicada | Rhodopsalta microdora. Photo by Melvin Esson

Distribution and habitat
This cicada is found in the eastern and central parts of both islands. It is generally found in the lowland regions in the long grass and shrubs near rivers and beaches.

A map of Aotearoa New Zealand with a blue background. Part of the top-right of the North Island and top right of the South Island is coloured green and the rest of the country is white.

Time of year

This cicada can be found from October to March, but is more commonly found from November to February.

Song
Continuous zits - “Zit zit zit zit…”

There is currently no recording of the song available.