Sulphur-patterned cicada

Sulphogaeana sulphurea belongs to Cicadidae. The 2025 systematic treatment places it in Sulphogaeana; Distant’s monograph used Gaeana sulphurea. [1][2]

Distant describes sulphur-yellow wings with a dark band crossing the forewing and a broad dark apical area. The black body carries reddish-ochre markings on the head and thorax, including a dark hourglass-shaped band within the paler pronotum. The hindwing’s dark outer area narrows towards the anal angle. [2]

Distant records historical material from Sikkim, Nepal and Darjeeling. Jeff Blincow’s field photograph documents a mating pair in Bhutan. [2][3]

Blincow photographed a mating pair in Bhutan, documenting the adults together in the field. [3]

Kafley and Smetacek observed birds ignoring dead and dying adults during April and May in the western Himalaya. They interpreted this avoidance as consistent with distastefulness. [5]

The epithet sulphurea occurs in the historical combination Gaeana sulphurea and the current combination Sulphogaeana sulphurea. [2][1]

The dorsal view shows the forewing’s dark cross-band and the broad yellow hindwing field. The body contributes its own reddish-ochre and black pattern to the complete specimen. [2]

The illustration emphasizes yellow fields within a dark wing network. Bold contours preserve the pattern while simplified colour gives the specimen a clear silhouette.

Protect framed specimens from direct daylight, moisture and handling damage. Use photographs to inspect fine wing divisions without repositioning fragile structures.