If you find yourself wandering the sun-drenched scrub of the South African Karoo, keep your eyes peeled for a "living piece of bark." *Platypleura hirtipennis* is a master of crypsis, blending so perfectly with its surroundings that you are likely to hear it long before you see it.
Identification
This medium-sized cicada (wingspan approx. 50–60mm) is characterized by its remarkably broad, flattened body. Its coloration is a sophisticated mosaic of ashy greys, mossy greens, and earthy browns, mimicking the lichen-covered bark of its host trees. Look closely at the forewings (tegmina): unlike the glassy wings of many relatives, these are opaque and textured. The specific epithet *hirtipennis* refers to the fine, stiff hairs (setae) found along the wing veins—a key field mark that distinguishes it from the similar *P. capensis*. Its "pronotal collars" (the shield-like structure behind the head) are flared and jagged, further breaking up its silhouette.
Habitat & Range
Endemic to Southern Africa, this species is most at home in the arid fynbos, succulent Karoo, and thicket biomes. It shows a strong preference for woody shrubs and trees, particularly *Vachellia* (formerly *Acacia*) and *Senegalia* species, where it clings to the main trunk or underside of sturdy branches to avoid the midday sun.
Behaviour
The male’s song is a piercing, high-pitched rhythmic drone that can be deafening in mid-summer. When approached, *P. hirtipennis* exhibits a "squirrel-like" evasion tactic, shimmying around to the opposite side of a branch to keep the wood between itself and the observer. They are most active during the hottest hours of the day, using their song to establish territories and attract mates.
Diet
Like all cicadas, this species is a specialist fluid-feeder. Using a needle-like rostrum, it pierces the bark to tap directly into the tree's xylem. It survives on a lean diet of watery sap, filtering out nutrients and expelling excess liquid as "honeydew."
Fascinating Fact
Despite being cold-blooded insects, *Platypleura* cicadas are "endothermic" singers! They can vibrate their massive thoracic muscles to generate internal heat, allowing them to sing and fly even when the ambient temperature hasn't yet reached the threshold for other insects. They are essentially the "hot-blooded" maestros of the bushveld.