Yellow-banded Cicada

Tacua speciosa belongs to Cicadidae. Malaysian accounts use Yellow-banded Cicada, Green-banded Cicada and Emperor Cicada for the same species. [3][5][6]

The Catalogue of Life record lists Tettigonia speciosa and Cicada speciosa among its historical combinations. Speciosa is the type species of Tacua. [1][2]

The adult has a dark body, a contrasting green to yellow collar and a red thoracic marking. A specimen recorded at Mount Hampuan measured 55 mm in body length. [3][5]

Modern records place Tacua speciosa in Indonesia and Malaysia. At Mount Hampuan in Sabah, the surveyed adult came from an area of upland dipterocarp and lower montane forest at about 1,500 m. [3][5]

The Crocker Range survey recorded adults on branches and shrubs during the day. The survey’s light trapping did not detect the species. [6]

The Mount Hampuan survey discusses fire, encroachment and forest connectivity as pressures on the reserve’s habitat. Its cicada records place Tacua speciosa within that upland forest community. [5]

Illiger’s species name dates to 1800. Amyot and Audinet-Serville established Tacua in 1843, with Tettigonia speciosa as its type species. Yellow-banded Cicada and Green-banded Cicada are common names used in Malaysian accounts. [1][2][3]

The dorsal view shows the collar and thoracic marking above the dark body. Spread-wing and ventral views reveal the hindwings and body surfaces concealed beneath the folded forewings.

Scott Schubr’s Tacua compositions emphasize the bright collar, dark body and elongated forewings. Different poses give prominence to different anatomical features.

Display framed work away from direct sunlight, persistent damp and strong heat. Handle the enclosure and follow the maker’s instructions for exterior cleaning.