[1] William Lucas Distant described the northern double drummer in 1892, but incorrectly gave the type locality as Sydney.

[2] The eyes are light brown tinged with purple,[2] and the postclypeus dark red-brown.

The underside of the thorax is red-brown and covered in fine silvery velvety hairs.

[2] Adult cicadas emerge from September and can be seen until the end of April, though are most abundant in December and January.

It is found on eucalyptus trees, particularly smooth-barked species such as the ghost gum (Corymbia aparrerinja) in Central Australia.