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Luminary Oddities · Natural history & art
Becquartina bicolor
Hemiptera / Cicadidae
Becquartina bicolor is a cicada described from Meghalaya in 2024. Its contrasting wing bands occur in saffron and white forms in both sexes; the original study also documents forest localities and male calling activity.
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Dark brown forewings carry two contrasting bands and three apical spots. Red veins accompany the dark body. Pale basal hindwing regions contrast with dark outer fields and pale spots. [1]
The comparative diagnosis distinguishes bicolor by forewings without the black veins and dark shading along the venation described for B. electa, B. decorata and B. bifasciata. [1]
The original study records Balpakram in South Garo Hills and Nongkhrah community forest in Ri Bhoi, Meghalaya. Field sites include tall-tree forest and humid, shaded vegetation. [1]
In the Garo Hills, males called most strongly in the morning and evening. At Ri Bhoi, calling extended from about 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and was strongest between about 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. [1]
Saffron and white colour forms occur in both sexes. The authors treat these as variation below subspecies rank. [1]
Recorded male calls lasted approximately 60–110 seconds and comprised several phrases. Each phrase opened with looser crackling pulses and ended in a denser, buzzer-like passage. [1]
The observed adults occupied forest with tall trees and shaded canopy perches. Field observations span April to June in the documented Meghalaya populations. [1]
The epithet bicolor refers to the two colour forms recognized in the original description. [1]
The original description illustrates males and females of both colour forms, including dorsal and ventral views. [1]
Contrasting bands and apical spots structure the dark wing fields. Saffron and white provide two colour treatments within the species’ documented variation.
Keep the enclosure closed and display it in indirect light, away from heat and damp conditions. Handle the frame by its edges and clean only its exterior according to the maker’s instructions.
Are the saffron and white forms male and female colours? Both forms occur in both sexes. [1]
Where was the species described? The description is based on material and field observations from Meghalaya, northeastern India. [1]
The 2024 description documents type specimens, colour forms, forest localities and male calls. The 2025 systematic study supplies the revised tribal placement. [1][2]
Sarkar, Thangkhiew, Mahapatra, Mohapatra, Nair and Hajong; Zootaxa, 2024 · Accessed 2026-10-09
Wang, Zhou, Zhang and Wei; Systematic Entomology, 2025 · Accessed 2026-10-09
Australian Museum · Accessed 2026-10-09
Sources checked 2026-10-09. Illustrations · Luminary Oddities.
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