Aleeta

Aleeta: The Floury Baker Cicada

Imagine a tiny, dusted-with-flour insect that sings with the power of a thousand whispers. That’s Aleeta curvicosta, known affectionately as the floury baker or floury miller. This cicada species has been around since 1834 and is native to Australia’s eastern coastline, where it thrives in the unique habitats of paperbark trees. But what makes this little creature so special?

The Appearance and Habitat

How does a floury baker get its name? Well, just like how dusting your kitchen counter with flour can make it look magical, the floury baker cicada has a body that’s covered in a fine white powder. This gives it a unique appearance, making it stand out among other insects.

The floury baker is about 2.9 cm long and weighs around 1.02 grams. Its wingspan can reach up to 9-10 cm, and its body is brown with distinctive markings. The male call is particularly interesting—it’s a hissing sound produced by the tymbal, which clicks inward during muscular contractions.

The Life Cycle

From egg-laying to adulthood, the floury baker cicada undergoes a fascinating transformation that spans years underground. Eggs are laid in series on live branches or twigs and hatch into nymphs after about 16 days. These nymphs then burrow into the soil where they feed on sap for 2-8 years before emerging as adults.

Once above ground, the adult floury baker cicada has a short but busy life. They emerge between November and May in South East Queensland, with an average emergence period of 92 days. After shedding their final shell, they spend about 2-4 weeks feeding on sap, mating, laying eggs, and then dying.

The Behavior

Are floury bakers social creatures? No, not really. They are solitary insects that occur in low densities of around 50 per hectare. You won’t find them swarming like some other cicada species; instead, you might spot one or two on a branch, facing downwards and slowly flying.

These insects are preyed upon by various birds and insects, including wrens, fantails, miners, honeyeaters, butcherbirds, magpie-larks, crows, frogs, and wasps. They also face threats from fungi like Massospora and the cicada killer wasp. Despite these challenges, they manage to survive and reproduce in diverse habitats ranging from rainforests to suburban areas.

Reclassification and Phylogenetic Evidence

The genus Aleeta, including the floury baker, has a rich history that involves reclassification based on genetic evidence. Originally described by Ernst Friedrich Germar in 1834, it was later reclassified due to its genetic distance from other cicada genera. Phylogenetic studies have shown that Aleeta and Tryella are closely related to periodical cicadas.

This reclassification highlights the importance of ongoing research in understanding the evolutionary relationships among different species. It also underscores how much we can learn about these insects through modern scientific methods, even after centuries of study.

Conclusion

The floury baker cicada is a fascinating creature that has captivated scientists and nature enthusiasts alike for decades. From its unique appearance to its life cycle and behavior, this insect offers a window into the complex world of cicadas. As we continue to explore and understand more about Aleeta curvicosta, we gain insights not only into the natural history of these insects but also into broader ecological and evolutionary processes.