The cicada genus Stagilo Stal 1861 is redescribed and revised. S. sang
uinea Distant 1920 n. syn. and S. ruficostata Distant 1920 n. syn. are
synonymized with S. segmentaria Karsch 1890, while S, aethlius (Walke
r 1850) n. stat. and S. acrida (Walker 1850) n. stat. are removed from
the synonymy of S, simplex (Germar 1834) and restored to specific sta
tus. An additional 32 new species are described and a key is provided
to the males of the genus. Stagira is endemic to the eastern tropical
transitional area of southern Africa, and has occupied a variety of ha
bitats, from xeric scrub to grassland savanna to forest. It forms a gr
oup with the South African genera Xosopsaltria Kirkaldy 1904, Tettigom
yia Amyot & Serville 1843 and Bavea Distant 1905.