Family Tettigarctidae, Hairy Cicadas

The hairy cicadas are a relict group of two species found only in Australia although fossils assigned to this family are known from the Northern Hemisphere. Tettigarcta crinita is found in the alpine regions of Southeastern Australia and T. tomentosa is found in similar situations in Tasmania. The hairy cicadas differ from true cicadas in features of the wing venation, head structure and in the presence of sound producing organs in both sexes. These species are reasonably common late in summer although they are not often seen because they remain hidden during daylight hours, unlike members of the Cicadidae which announce their presence, often quite vigorously, during warm weather.