...a world wide study that will improve knowledge of Cicadas, how animals evolved through the different continents and ultimately adding to knowledge of how life developed on Earth.

The scientists were observed climbing saplings, shaking trees and collecting insects in bright generator-powered light traps in the search for more knowledge.

The harvest of knowledge in the Basin was rich, with several rare species collected and one species, previously considered without song, recorded in full flight.

BASIN CICADAS PART OF KEY TO THE MEANING OF LIFE ON EARTH

A light trap in the Vergemont Channels (Cooper's Creek Catchment) attracts rare cicadas - and a million other insects - in a scientific search for the meaning of evolution around the world.

Australia's leading Cicada experts Max and Barbara Moulds led the team. David Marshall and John Cooley from the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology of the University of Connecticut joined with Kathy Hill from the Victoria University, Wellington, NZ collecting the insects from which DNA samples were taken for future molecular systematics analysis.

The scientists were observed climbing saplings, shaking trees and collecting insects in bright generator-powered light traps in the search for more knowledge.

As well as the DNA sampling, the evolution of Cicada song is being studied. Singing cicadas were recorded with digital equipment and the waveforms of their songs viewed and compared on laptop computers.

The harvest of knowledge in the Basin was rich, with several rare species collected and one species, previously considered without song, recorded in full flight.

The information gathered will assist in developing the big picture of how life developed on earth and spread throughout the land masses and once more shows the importance of having regions such as the Lake Eyre Basin where natural biodiversity is treasured as part of everyday life.