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Fam. Cicadidae. (Plate II, Fig. 18) Ocelli on vertex of head in
triangle. Tarsi 3 jointed, male with a musical apparatus (opercula)
attached to base of abdomen as flaps. Fairly big, head well developed,
antennae ending in bristles. Wings large, often coloured veins
conspicuous. Thorax well developed, abdomen broadly connected.
Female with ovipositor. Mostly found in thick moist forests. Eggs laid
under tree barks in slits. Nymphs drop to ground, feed on tender roots for
a long time, sometimes for years, attached to a branch when full grown
cast the final skin, split open outer cover for the adult to come out. Adults
feed on plant sap for a year or so. Feed often in one position ejecting a
fluid excreta which bursts into a fine spray. If in numbers a mild rain is
caused. Males produce shrill notes. About 1,500 species described, about
200 in India, About 12 from Maharashtra known.
Platypleura species. Brownish yellow, black spots and stripes on
head. Tegmina with brown markings. L. 20-25 mm. C. vesta. Head
truncate black, prothorax reddish, yellowish line. L. 58, f 22 mm. Pest on
sandal. P. larus (Knife grinder). Thorax greenish, abdomen reddish, black
markings. Wing veins prominent. L. 32-38 mm. Produces shrill noise
reechoeing in forests. Khimbya spp. Brownish yellow with spots. L. 24
mm, S. crocea. Black and yellow, mimics honey bee. L. 15-20 mm.
Fam. Fulgoridae (Lantern flies) गवतुर)