Crossing Cook Strait: Possible human transportation and establishment of two New Zealand cicadas from North Island to South Island (Kikihia scutellarisandK. ochrina, Hemiptera: Cicadidae)

Abstract
Two cicadas previously restricted to the North Island of New Zealand have recently been found on the South Island. The North Island bush species Kikihia scutellaris (Walker) first reported from around Picton, South Island, in 1966, is now found throughout much of Marlborough and the Marlborough Sounds, as far as Kenepuru Head to the north, Canvastown to the west, Grovetown to the south and Robin Hood Bay to the east. We also note a single older specimen collected in 1932 from Torrent Bay, Tasman Bay. Our new data suggest a substantially faster rate of spread than can be estimated for other cicada species, possibly because the preferred habitat of K. scutellaris is pre-existing and unoccupied by competitors. Three males of the second adventive species, the bush-edge green foliage cicada Kikihia ochrina (Walker), were found in one Christchurch street in February 2004. Its restricted distribution suggests that K. ochrina was transported within the past few years, possibly on one of the small garden trees and shrubs it frequents on the North Island. It remains to be seen whether this species will become established. Neither species is likely to pose economic or conservation concerns.