Recently, a new species of cicada (Platyomia kohimaensis) was discovered in Naga Hills, Nagaland.
About
About cicada species
Cicadas are hemipteran insects known for their loud, complex and species-specific acoustic signals or songs.
Hemipteran insects, also called true bugs, have mouthparts used for piercing and sucking and have two pairs of wings.
The new species of cicada belong to the Platylomia radha group described in the Naga Hills east of the Himalayas.
These species have been found near the village of Mitelphe in the Kohima region.
It is a dusk singing, large-sized cicada that calls for a short window during the evening twilight hours.
It timbalises in the form of a continuous and regular cackling.
Timbal is a membrane that produces sound for various insects.
Habitat
Most cicadas are canopy dwellers and are found in natural forests with large trees.
The typical variety of cicadas in India and Bangladesh is ranked high in the world, followed by China.
Threat
Large-scale clearing of natural forest land into human settlement and agricultural fields, along with burning of forests is behind the shrinking distribution of Cicada.
Considered as a delicacy and fetching at a good price, its uncontrollable photography and killing during its massive emergence poses a serious threat to its survival.