THOPHA HUTCHINSONI, A NEW CICADA (CICADOIDEA: CICADIDAE) FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA, WITH NOTES ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND COLOUR POLYMORPHISM OF THOPHA SESSILIBA DISTANT

摘要

Thopha hutchinsoni sp. n. is described from Western Australia, where it is Found near Exmouth and at the eastern fringe Of the Pilbara region. New records of T. sessiliba Distant are given, confirming the presence of the species west of the Great Sandy Desert. The colour of these 'western' sessiliba is different from specimens found east of the Great Sandy Desert and it is suggested that these 'western' sessiliba might represent another new species. A population of melanic T. sessiliba is recorded from Ilaliday Bay, near Mackay, Queensland and a melanic individual from near Chillagoe, Queensland, is also noted. A brief discussion on the size of Thopha Amyot & Serville species concludes that T. saccata (Fabricius) remains Australia's largest cicada.