Natula averni (Costa, 1855)

Habitat:
Natula averni most often inhabits reeds (primarily Phragmites australis, secondarily also others) in estuary and delta areas of rivers near to or directly at the sea coast, also on lagunes. In Corsica I met Natula averni commonly along a reed bed of a river only some metres away from the Mediterranean Sea.

Life cycle:
The animals can be observed from spring to late autumn. Probably the imagines hibernate, but possibly also larvae. I recorded many adults and half-grown and premature larvae in Corsica in early October 2024. The animals lived high up in the reeds also during daytime and are easily beaten into a turned umbrella. If you do this in cool weather or in the morning, you will have a chance to catch the very fast and small animals. The method of choice is recording the songs.

Remarks:
Natula averni occurs in some coastal areas from the Canaries to Turkey and is certainly more widespread than formerly thought. It is quite common in Corsica and Sardinia (in appropriate habitats), but is also found in other islands and on the mainland from Spain across Italy to Greece.

The further distribution is unclear due to taxonomic difficulties. If you suppose a tropical-subtropical distribution and synonymize Natula longipennis with this species, the distribution extends over much or Africa and warm parts of Asia.